Early Decision
Early Decision (ED) is designed for students who have decided Skidmore is their first-choice college. You can apply ED I by Nov. 1 or ED II by Jan. 8. You can also convert a Regular Decision (RD) application to ED II until Feb. 1.
Stand out, earlier
As an ED candidate, you agree to enroll at Skidmore if admitted. While this is considered a binding contract, there is an exception in cases of financial hardship. If the financial aid award makes it impossible for you to attend, please contact Skidmore Financial Aid to discuss your options.
Dates and Deadlines
| ED 1 | ED II | |
| Application | Nov. 1 | Jan. 8 |
| Supporting Materials* | Within one week of deadline | Within one week of deadline |
| Financial Aid** | Nov. 8 | Jan. 15 |
| Quarter Grades | Nov. 22 | Jan. 22 |
| Mid-Year Grades | March 1 if enrolling |
March 1 if enrolling |
| Decision Notification | Mid December | Mid February |
| Reply Deadline | Early January | Late February |
| Final Transcript | July 15 | July 15 |
| Verified Test Scores if submitted |
July 15 | July 15 |
*Required supporting materials: school report, two academic teacher recommendations,
official transcript
**Skidmore only requires the FAFSA upon enrollment, so the delayed release of the simplified FAFSA will not have a negative impact on our financial aid processes or decision release. Early Decision applicants will be reviewed using information on the CSS Profile. International students may either submit the CSS Profile or complete the International Student Financial Aid application form in their Skidmore Applicant Portal.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The only difference is the dates.
About 50% of our first-year classes are admitted and enroll through the ED application process.
You'll complete an Early Decision Agreement form as part of your Common Application or Coalition Application.
Yes, you can convert your RD application to an ED II application until Feb. 1. Send an email to Admissions at admissions@bianlifan.com and indicate that you want to convert your application. Admissions will work with you to formalize it.
Please complete a CSS (College Scholarship Service) Profile. International students may either submit the CSS Profile or complete the International Student Financial Aid application form in their Skidmore Applicant Portal. Skidmore only requires the FAFSA upon enrollment and is it not required for admission.
Accepted ED students whose financial aid applications are complete will receive notification about their financial aid with their decision letters.
Some students who are not accepted ED are deferred for reconsideration for Regular Decision and notified of their final decision in early March. In some cases, an ED candidate will not be competitive for admission and in these situations, the Admissions Committee denies the applicant at the time of ED notification.
We don't have Greek life at Skidmore, and we're proud of that. Instead, we have over 100 student-run clubs and more student activities every year (that everyone is invited to) than there are students. Here, inclusion is a tradition.