<p>What makes this school special? Why choose Skidmore over other small private schools with better weather?</p>
<p>I visited with one of my daughters and we left wondering the same thing
never really came up with an answer so she never applied. Saratoga Springs
didn't even seem like a particularly nice place. I guess for 25 grand it might
be pretty good.</p>
<p>I'll mention a few things that appealed to my daughter: lovely campus within walking distance of a very delightful and relatively sophisticated town; strong in the arts, including theater, which is her interest; available majors/minors in education and business, very rare for an LAC; very good food. In addition, the schools with significantly "better weather" would be too far from home--we don't want to have to deal with the cost and inconvenience of air travel and want her to have the option to come home for a weekend with little hassle for occasional family functions or just for the heck of it.</p>
<p>If you are looking for a small private school with "better weather", then presumably you are consigning all the institutions in New England and the Midwest to the dustbin. I would hope that most students choose their colleges based on programs, academic reputation, facilities, and other resources; as opposed to geographic setting. Presumably the latter is not at the top of the list of factors.</p>
<p>And, speaking of weather, "better" is highly subjective. I personally would prefer the climate of eastern New York to that of most of the states south of the Mason-Dixon Line. I like to ski in the winter, and I don't want to swelter in high heat/high humidity for 4-5 months a year.</p>
<p>Don't go. It's cold, and snowy. And don't go for baseball. That coach is a crazy micro-manager.</p>
<p>Gorgeous campus, incredible professors, great facilities, best college cafeteria in America, friendly students, very involved student body and top notch classes. What is not to love. Really one of the new Ivies!</p>
<p>Two of CNN's best International Correspondents are Skidmore alumni and since I want to be their colleague one day, Skidmore could be an advantage. Skidmore has a lot more to offer, but this was my primary reason to apply.</p>
<p>Every single time I see a tour, I want to scream "run and save yourselves".</p>
<p>Then why do you keep going on tours? Sounds like you've been on more than one.</p>
<p>Strong in the humanities, but still have a well-rounded liberal arts program. Have never heard a negative anecdote from an alumni. All my interactions with admin/students were nice and friendly. 40/60 M/F ratio. It was a "match" school when I sent out apps last December. Okay campus, not great but not ugly. Um, Saratoga Springs is pretty cool, and I never understood the obsession with huge cities. You're on campus with 3000 other people 95% of the time, I think that's plenty of action right there. Oh, and their website was a breath of fresh air after navigating through the poorly done **** that most schools throw up.</p>
<p>I guess for 25 grand it might be pretty good.</p>
<p>Unbelievably, that's basically what it will cost should I go. The huge ass grant I got plus some outside scholarships cut it down to like 28K. I've literally examined the grant for catches or loopholes and couldn't find any, it's legitimate.</p>