<p>I hope this thread does not come off as too shallow, but I was curious as to Skidmore's reputation around New England. I know Skidmore is ranked in the top 40/50 of LACs in the country, and it has also been ranked as one of the new 25 Ivys. But does that mean Skidmore has a pretty good rep? I mean, is it a pretty well known school? When you mention it in conversation around New England, do people recognize it? Are people impressed? Is it known for certain things?</p>
<p>Just curious.</p>
<p>Hi,</p>
<p>I’m a student at Skidmore and I know that the reputation of the college was important to me when I was applying. (Sounds shallow, I know…)</p>
<p>I’ve found that when I mention the school to people, they first recognize that it’s in Saratoga Springs. Then they tell me “that’s a beautiful area,” and it’s true.</p>
<p>Ultimately, we’re very lucky to go to Skidmore. LACs make up about three percent of all colleges, and selective LACs only 1.5 percent. (OR SOMETHING DRASTICALLY SMALL LIKE THAT.)</p>
<p>Even if people don’t know what Skidmore is, the students are all very excited to be here. I’ve realized that where I go to school should shape me as a person, and not “qualify” me in anyone else’s eyes.</p>
<p>If you’re thinking about going to Skidmore, or any other LAC, you have to recognize that the school is less about the prestigious degree you’ll receive from a big research university, and MUCH MORE about the journey you embark upon for four important years.</p>
<p>Just something that I’ve been thinking about a lot – maybe it’ll help??</p>
<p>Page 6</p>
<p>[America’s</a> 25 New Elite ‘Ivies’ - Newsweek](<a href=“http://www.newsweek.com/2006/08/20/25-new-ivies.html]America’s”>America's 25 New Elite 'Ivies')</p>
<p>I’m an alum who graduated a few years ago. My experience has been that Skidmore’s reputation is pretty strong. I live several hundred miles from Saratoga (not in New England–so I can’t comment on that region specifically), and people generally have an “oh, good school!” response when I tell them where I went to college. Most importantly, the Skidmore name seems to pass muster with employers and grad school admissions boards. </p>
<p>Skidmore is probably best known for its arts and humanities programs, but its overall academic reputation is also good. I majored in math, and my degree has served me well, both in terms of what I actually learned and in terms of the perceived value of a Skidmore education.</p>
<p>I know that Skidmore College was on Huffington Post’s list of Colleges NOT Worth Their Tuition (see this link:[Colleges</a> NOT Worth Their Tuition (PHOTOS)](<a href=“Colleges NOT Worth Their Tuition (PHOTOS) | HuffPost College”>Colleges NOT Worth Their Tuition (PHOTOS) | HuffPost College)) </p>
<p>However, dont let this get over your head.</p>
<p>[Saratoga</a> Springs Police Department explains protocol for responding to house parties - saratogian.com](<a href=“http://saratogian.com/articles/2011/03/10/news/doc4d78376a97ec5012767246.txt]Saratoga”>http://saratogian.com/articles/2011/03/10/news/doc4d78376a97ec5012767246.txt)</p>
<p>but then theres stuff like this…
kid parying at skidmore was found dead saturday.
condolences to his family.
it’s really unfortunate.</p>
<p>Read the student newspaper & blogs. Since Nov., there’s been a beating by students, a death, posters accusing faculty of racism and the administration’s teach-ins and emails.</p>
<p>My D goes to Skidmore and here in New England it is a well-known school. Not as much as some of the bigger schools, but people are familar with Saratoga and thus Skidmore.
As far as its reputation, it is a college like many other colleges that have issues with drinking and partying. Many students are serious students but the few who party a lot get on the news. The unfortunate incident of the student found dead was a Boston College student, not a Skidmore student.
And students express their views and opinions as they should at any college. Racism and other extreme opinions are just that…used to sensationalize their story.
Skidmore wants their kids to “find their passion” and have many venues for students to explore their passions. My D has been very happy with the college. I have been pleased with Skidmore’s handling of these issues and don’t feel that it defines them at all.</p>
I’m a native Californian and out here many people see Skidmore as elite. Many Skidmore graduates go to Hollywood and do well in directing, screenwriting, etc.
I also live in California and have found repeatedly that when I say “I went to Skidmore,” out here people either haven’t heard of it at all, or think I said “Swarthmore.” It’s a bit disheartening, I had a great time in college.
@JenJenJenJen , probably similar to anyone being asked about Chapman back east, though I think Skidmore is a better school.
Just the other day I told someone my D goes to Skidmore and he said, “Oh, fantastic school. That’s in Pennsylvania, right?” It is disheartening, as JenJenJenJen says, because while it may not be as elite as Swarthmore, it definitely is climbing the ranks and should be better known than it is. I anticipate this happening in the near future. 
MODERATOR’S NOTE: Please use old threads for reference only. You can start a new thread on the topic if you’d like.