Monthly Archive for November, 2011

Well, it’s that time of year again, early decision is upon us. The deadline to submit your application for early decision at Skidmore is less than two weeks away — November 15. Wouldn’t it be great to get your college decisions out of the way before Thanksgiving? Have you submitted your application yet? Here’s a checklist for those last minute details.

If you haven’t decided on early decision yet, here are a few questions you should ask yourself:

Q: How do I know early decision is right for me?

A: Skidmore’s early decision plans are designed for those students who have examined their college choices carefully and have decided, by November 15 or January 15 of their senior year, that Skidmore is their first-choice college. We encourage you to discuss your plans with your parents and guidance counselor before making a final decision.

Q: How do I apply as an early decision candidate?

A: Students should file the Application for Freshman Admission with the application fee (or request for a fee waiver) by November 15 for Round I and by January 15 for Round II. Candidates should check the box on page one of the application indicating that they are applying for early decision and submit the signed Early Decision Agreement Form with the application.

Since the Admissions Committee renders decisions on early decision applications within a month of the deadline, it is very important that the required information from the counselor and teachers be submitted in a timely fashion.

Q: When will I receive a decision on my application?

A: Students who apply by the November 15 deadline for Round I will be notified of the decision on their application in mid-December. Those who apply by the January 15 Round II deadline will hear by February 15. While early decision candidates may initiate applications to other colleges, if they are accepted under one of the early decision plans they must immediately withdraw all other applications and enroll at Skidmore.

Q: How do I apply for financial aid as an early decision applicant? 

Q: If I am accepted early decision and am an applicant for financial aid, when will I hear about my financial aid package?

A: Accepted students whose financial aid applications are complete will receive notification about their financial ad with their decision letters. Accepted early decision candidates whose financial aid files are incomplete are notified as soon as they submit the missing financial aid information.

Q: What is the difference between the Round I and Round II early decision plans?

A: The only difference is the dates. Many students visit colleges early and know by November 15 that Skidmore is their first choice and are able to file a Round I early decision application. Other students wait until January 15 because their decision to apply early came after the Round I deadline or because they want the Admissions Committee to have the benefit of new test scores and/or senior grades through the first semester in making the decision on their application.

Q: What if I apply for early decision and am not accepted?

A: Most students who are not accepted early decision are deferred for reconsideration in the spring and notified of their final decision in late March. The Admissions Committee defers students in order to have the benefit of additional senior grades and/or test scores that may not be available at the time of early decision or to see how they compare competitively to the entire regular decision applicant pool.

In some cases, it is apparent to the Admissions Committee that an early decision candidate will clearly not be competitive for admission and that it is in the student’s best interest to know this sooner rather than later. In this situation, the Admissions Committee denies the applicant at the time of early decision notification, thus enabling the student to focus on alternative plans.

Other questions about the early decision process at Skidmore? Ask us!