MEA401–thank you for the insight. We did use the net calculator, but that doesn’t account for scholarships and other variables. For us, it was about comparing the packages from schools against each other and making an informed decision. Sadly, applying early, without knowing about the availability of scholarships my daughter applied for, made the financial guess too risky. For all four of my children, we had to wait on each school, then weigh the costs against distance, aid, loans versus grants, scholarships and the like to make an educated decision about where she will land. The inability to apply early decision takes that option away for many students and it is a shame that so many small liberal arts colleges fill half their class with early decision. It puts many students at a disadvantage–students who would have loved to attend and would have contributed to the college community. Again, happy for all who were accepted. We have choices, but Skidmore was a favorite and that’s just the way the ball bounces. Hope everyone accepted has a great experience!!
Yes, since my daughter isn’t in the fine arts or sciences, there were no Skidmore scholarships she could apply for so that wasn’t an issue. Since we we qualify for a decent amount of financial aid (twins in college at the same time), I don’t know if it would have made a difference in our total cost anyway. Probably they deduct the $15,000 scholarship and then meet need on top of that, rather than the other way around.
I have twins too heading off to college this fall. Both got in RD to Skdmore. So relieved that they both got in! Not sure if they want to attend together though. We are going on the 15th to take a second look - no scholarships makes it a tough sell to send both! Anyone know if it is possible to negotiate the financial aid, esp. if both go?
@twinmom16 - I would certainly make an appointment to speak with one their financial aid reps that weekend. I’m not sure how much more money they would give you, but you certainly must inquire. If they both want to attend and Skidmore is their top choice then you must be honest and fair in your assessment of how much you can contribute to educate both at this particular school. If they sense you are serious the inquiry may have more weight.
accepted 
My D was waitlisted. No scores submitted, 3.8 GPA, strong ECs, lots of creative interests. Lots of fin aid needed. We will take the WL spot.
I got accepted and would love to go. However the school is very expensive, almost twice that of my brother who left for college only a year ago. Does anybody know if Skidmore would consider circumstances not communicated in the fafsa like unrelated legal/medical fees?
My D was accepted yesterday as a dance major and we are thrilled, but then saw the price tag. She got some scholarship but as the eldest of three kids, we still couldn’t do it as is. I plan to try to appeal. I think like many, the FAFSA states an EFC that is double what we could actually afford. If anyone has advice about appealing for more scholarship and aid, please tell us how!
@Hpl2023 Did you fill out the CSS Profile for Skidmore (required if you apply for aid)? That form goes deeper into your finances than the FAFSA and includes a place at the end where you can tell your personal story and share things like health insurance and/or medical expenses related to a chronic illness. I encourage you to get in touch with the financial aid office and share your circumstances, and if you go to an accepted students’ day meet with them face-to-face.
Daughter was accepted this week, via email first, then snail mail, super excited!! Small work scholarship. Fingers crossed by me this is the one she chooses. Good luck to all!! And for those who didn’t get accepted, its the schools loss, not yours. Your greatness will just be launched at the school that is right for you. Nothing stops great passion and hard work. This is my 28 years of working life experience I’m sharing. You’ll be great wherever you go!
D accepted. 33 ACT, 3.9 unweigted GPA, most rigorous courseload, class officer 3 of 4 years, state gymnastics champ, head of service organization, and legacy. So excited that she might go to college where I went and loved it so much
Accepted! but wow looking at the stats of those rejected makes me wonder how I even got in, especially because I kind of applied on a whim.
4.0 GPA (UW), AP Classes, and a lot of EC’s, but my act/sat scores are… not good to say the least lol (I’m pretty sure I sent my scores in any way even though Skidmore is test optional).
Did anyone else get invited to Discovery Tour and is considering going?
My D will not be taking her spot on the waitlist. She has other options she likes better, and from what I’ve been reading it looks like the finances would not have worked out anyway!
Hi all - it’s come down to a Skidmore/St. Olaf matchup in our house. Both have her major/minor prefences, both are cold (her stated weather preference), both claim 60+%+ students study abroad, both have equestrian (Skidmore clearly wins this one with a championship team and horseback riding available as PE), both have choirs/acapella (St. Olaf wins this one), St. Olaf seems to have more school spirit (hometown rival in Carlton), Skidmore has first semester in London program option, both have accessible small towns (Saratoga Springs wins, but Northfield is a sweet town), St. Olaf is easier to get to from SFO and only 45 minutes from MSP. Skidmore requires 2 flights, but is only 45 minutes from ALB. Biggest difference seems to be that St. Olaf student population is 70% midwest/central while Skidmore student population is 70% New England/Mid-Atlantic. St. Olaf may have less pot and alcohol use - that’s an assumption based on Fiske, Insider’s Guide, Niche, etc … as opposed to actual knowledge. Also, while both are cold, Skidmore seems to be closer to a variety of outdoor winter sports - a reference to the flat, flat, flat-ness of the Midwest. We are re-visiting both and we have searched and read the available CC posts on the subject, but curious for your perspectives, if you have any and care to indulge me. Thanks in advance and congrats to all as we get to the end of this part of the process.
@Turquoise52 - my son will be a freshman this fall. After checking out St. Olaf’s student profile I can say with a fair degree of certainty that your daughter will encounter a much more demographically diverse group of students at Skidmore - more minorities, more international students, etc. One’s college experience is what one makes of it - if she wants to cheer on the Skidmore Thoroughbreds, she will do so. If she doesn’t want to party, she won’t. I believe there is a tremendous advantage to attending a liberal arts college on the east coast - she will make connections both friendship-wise and career-wise that will serve her well. And, seeing as you are from the San Francisco area, I think Skidmore would be a more comfortable fit. Of course, I am biased - we are thrilled to be embarking on the Skidmore journey.
@Turquoise52 - we live in the Northeast, and my daughter attends St. Olaf. She had similar preferences to your D when making her decision after her acceptances, chose St Olaf and is very happy there. I will send you a PM
I saw this thread in the “latest posts” section and figured applicants had been notified so I came to offer congratulations to those who received happy news and to answer any questions I could. My D is a sophomore and is loving her experience at Skidmore. It didn’t start out as her first choice, but today she couldn’t imagine herself anywhere else. Feel free to ask questions and I’ll try to help and will ask her if I don’t know the answer.
@Turquoise52 - An important tip: if your D enjoys riding, ideally she’d want a car to get to her riding classes on time. The barn is a fair distance away and relying on Ubers would get expensive. I remember speaking with someone at the barn before D attended and I think they said there were bus options, but that they are time-consuming and inefficient to realistically work within a class schedule.
Our D had a car as a Freshman and sophomore. She stopped riding this year because she has 2 campus jobs that she loves (including one helping her Classics Prof w/research) and that take a lot of her time.
FWIW, I highly recommend attending an accepted students day. That sealed the deal for my D. Since we’d also visited during the winter, I contacted the head of the dept she was interested in pursuing a major in and he very kindly agreed to help create a more tailored experience for our D. We attended the group congratulatory talk in Zankel which made accepted students feel pretty good and then we met with the director for a very informative meeting and he then had my D shadow a Senior for the rest of their classes that day. My D clicked with that student and all their friends who ended up being “her people.” They invited her to spend the night and attend a party, which she did, skipping the accepted students day the next day at Bard College!
Who knows what would have happened if we had skipped the accepted students day.
@LuvsLabs @xanthippe @astonmartin18 - you are incredibly generous to take the time to provide your great insight to us! So helpful, I thank you, and my D does too!! Love this CC community! Told my H I am going to stick around until D22 goes to college so I can provide others just a bit of the great advice and insight I’ve received here.
Accepted. 32 ACT on first try with 35s in English/Reading, great recommendations and essay, exceptionally rigorous high school prep curriculum, very good theatre and voice extracurriculars.
My son go accepted to the Discovery Tour and is registered to attend.