How to resolve AdBlock issue? With a freshman class limited to 650 students, many applications were turned away in hopes of obtaining the best possible candidates for the incoming class.
But things have not been so rosy for the liberal arts college. In the previous few years, Skidmore saw a decrease in applications.
Mary Lou Bates, Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid at Skidmore, noted that the economic woes the country has faced affected the number of students applying for admission.
“In 2008, we had the economic downturn and the size of the pool [of applicants] declined,” Bates said.
Tuition to attend Skidmore is almost $46,000 annually and up to over $9,000 for on-campus room and board, depending if the student rents an on-campus apartment, room or dormitory. The cost does not automatically include a meal plan.
Bates noted that the college faculty and staff were excited at the number and diversity of the applications they received for the 2017 class. Continuing, she said the biggest jump in the number of applicants was from those who had applied internationally. The admissions counsel received almost 1,400 out-of-the country applications; which more than doubled last year’s numbers.
With 17 percent of the applications coming from overseas, the college has the opportunity to expand upon its already diverse student body.
When asked about the increase, Bates said the college has vamped up its out-reach programs, as well as redefined their website.
“We translated our web pages to Chinese and Spanish and it really helped to increase [our number of international applicants,]” Bates said, adding that Skidmore’s efforts to outreach internationally were successful by targeting countries such as South America, Europe and China.
Bates said that the college also awarded a significant amount of money in financial aid to this year’s students—over $39 million dollars. According to Skidmore’s website, the average care package of approximately $28,500 was provided to 44 percent of the students attending the four-year college.
Bates noted that college works hard to instill certain qualities into its students. She said having strong technological skills, an understanding of the world at large and creative thinking is viewed to be of great
importance to those at Skidmore.
“When they leave Skidmore, they have a broad-based Liberal Arts degree,” Bates said. “The curriculum is designed so all students will have a global understanding, as well as having the capacity to understand other cultures and compete in a competitive job market.”
Also of great importance is the students’ experience and happiness while at the school.
Skidmore was honored with the 2012 Newsweek Title of the “ninth happiest school in the nation” right behind Swarthmore College and in front of Bowdoin College.
Bates attributed their “happiness” to their college experience and all that Skidmore offers. With an 88 percent sophomore return rate, Bates said the school receives high marks for its overall student return numbers.
“We were rated very high because our students are staying at Skidmore and not transferring to another college,” Bates continued.
Bates also noted that one of the reasons Skidmore continues to be a go-to college is its decision in the early 1970s to go co-ed.
“It has absolutely helped in so many ways,” said Bates. “I think Skidmore made the right decision.”
Andrea Barry is a Saratoga Springs High School senior doing an internship with Saratoga TODAY.
