Why is Skidmore's acceptance rate dropping so drastically?

What once was around the upper 30s and lower 40s has turned into mid to low 20s in a span of 2-4 years. What caused this drastic change? The growth of applicant numbers has increased in a linear fashion yet the acceptance rate has plummeted. Is this a marketing strategy?

In a nut shell, it’s a combination of rising applications, and rising yield. It looks like the acceptance rate is going to be even lower than the low 20’s for the new class of 2021

We know that Skidmore received more than 10,000 applications, for a projected 2021 class size of 660.
Previous communication from Skidmore has stated that they received 622 ED applications this year.
Last years 2020 ED acceptance rate was 49%
The schools historic yield is 22%, but we know that last year’s yield substantially exceeded expectation.

*So using last years ED acceptance rate, 622 ED apps x 49% = 305 accepted ED students

*660 class size - 305 ED students = 355 RD spots open in class.

*Because of what happened last year, Skidmore will surely estimate that their yield will be north of 22%. Let’s use 25%, which may actually be a little conservative.

*A 25% yield rate means that in order to generate 355 RD enrolled students, Skidmore would have to accept 1420 RD applicants. So, 1420/(10,000-622) = 15.1% RD applicant acceptance rate.

*1420 RD apps accepted + 305 ED apps accepted = 1725 total accepted applicants.

*1725/10,000 = 17.25% overall acceptance rate.

*660 total enrolled students/1720 total accepted students = 38.3% yield

In addition, the new Skidmore test optional policy will surely result in the average accepted test range jumping way up. Last year’s class had an ACT mid 50% range of 26-30. I wouldn’t be surprised to see that jump to 28-32 this year.

A 17.25% acceptance rate, coupled with an ACT range of 28-32, and a 38% yield places Skidmore very near the top of the class even for NESCAC schools.

Based on inference from known factors, Skidmore’s overall acceptance rate should approximate 30% for the class of 2021. That would be my prediction anyway.

@JaxBlueman I would be very surprised if Skidmore’s acceptance rate was 17.5%. It is pretty much pointless to speculate that number since all your numbers are not concrete.

The official acceptance rate according to skidmore for the class of 2021 is 25%

@Britsmum Can you share a link to this information?

I have an email from admissions. I do not know how to share that here

MODERATOR’S NOTE: We don’t allow emails to be quoted.

Can I share privately upon request?

@Britsmum ^^^ On top of that I’m really looking for the Class of 2021 student profile as I was accepted this year and attending and am simply curious about the student breakdown

@lookatme, here you go

Here are some statistics for our incoming class:

Projected class size: 660, with some of these students beginning in the London FYE program
42% male and 58% female
24% domestic students of color
13% international students
47 countries other than the U.S. represented
Acceptance rate: 25%

From the Skidmore website, re 2021…
http://www.skidmore.edu/news/2017/0904-meet-2021.php