How to Apply to Life Sciences and Pre-Health Study at Skidmore College: Apply to the College, Declare a Major by the Second Semester of Sophomore Year, Biology, Neuroscience, Chemistry with a Biochemistry Concentration, Health and Human Physiological Sciences, and the Path for Domestic, International (Including Chinese) and Transfer Applicants

Skidmore College (Saratoga Springs, New York) is a liberal arts college; the pages I read do not mention separate schools. Life-science and health majors sit in several departments, and there is no pre-med major. The website says students interested in the health professions may choose any major and are guided by the Health Professions Advisory Committee (HPAC). Below is what Skidmore’s website says for fall 2027 entry, written for U.S. applicants, international applicants and applicants from China, followed by transfer students.

1. Relevant undergraduate majors

• Biology (B.A.): the catalog says the major leads to a bachelor of arts. The department page lists four concentrations (biomedical science; cell and molecular biology; ecology, evolution and behavior; integrative biology) and says many majors follow a pre-health track. However, the catalog version for students entering in fall 2026 or later (minimum 47 credits) no longer lists concentrations, using core distribution courses plus three 300-level courses; the version for students who entered before fall 2026 (minimum 50 credits) still uses concentrations. The two sources differ; check the latest catalog.
• Neuroscience (B.A.): an interdisciplinary program integrating biology, psychology and related sciences. The catalog has two versions: students who entered before fall 2027 (minimum 48 credits) and students entering in fall 2027 and beyond (48–58 credits, with an added 300-level neuroscience requirement).
• Chemistry (B.A.) and the biochemistry concentration: the chemistry department offers a chemistry major and a chemistry major with a biochemistry concentration. The catalog requires organic chemistry I and II, biochemistry (macromolecular structure and function, with lab), biochemistry (intermediary metabolism), an experimental biochemistry lab and two electives.
• Health and Human Physiological Sciences (B.S.): studies physiology in relation to health and performance. Required courses include Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II, Introduction to Public Health, nutrition, advanced exercise physiology and research design (42 credits), plus CH 125 and MS 204 statistics. The department recommends CPR certification by the end of the second year.
• No nursing bachelor’s appears on the pages I read. The HPAC pages describe an articulation agreement with NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing’s accelerated 15-month BSN, taken after finishing the Skidmore degree (see section 3).
• Biomedical engineering and other engineering majors: not on the pages I read; the website mentions only dual-degree engineering partnerships with Dartmouth College and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
• STEM designation: the biology, neuroscience, chemistry and health-physiology pages I read do not state one. Not published on those pages; ask admissions or the international office. (Skidmore’s website does label economics as STEM, which is outside this article.)

2. How admission works: apply to the college, declare a major later

• Applying: you apply to the college, not a major. The FAQ says students declare a major by the second semester of sophomore year.
• Conditions for entering a major: the biology, neuroscience, chemistry and health-physiology catalog pages do not state a GPA threshold or cap. Not published there; ask each department.
• Honors: biology honors requires 3.00 overall and 3.75 in the major (for students graduating in 2028 and later) plus two semesters of 300-level research (3 credits each); earlier cohorts are listed at 3.500 in the major and 3.000 overall. The neuroscience catalog describes eligibility for the national honor society Nu Rho Psi (declared neuroscience major, at least three semesters of major courses, 3.5 in major courses, 3.4 overall). Health and Human Physiological Sciences honors requires 3.0 overall, 3.5 in the major and at least an A- in senior research.
• Major GPA in biology: per the catalog, only BI 107, BI 108 and 200- and 300-level biology courses count toward the major and minor GPA; many 100-level topics courses and internships do not.
• Biology sequence (fall 2026 and later, 47–48 credits): BI 107 Molecular and Cellular Foundations of Life, BI 108 Organismal Biology and CH 125 (or CH 126); one 200-level course each in physiological systems, ecology and evolution, and cell and molecular biology, plus BI 235 Biostatistics; one more 200-level biology course; three 300-level courses (at least two with lab); BI 373 Scientific Communications; and BI 374 Senior Seminar (two semesters).
• Neuroscience core: NS 101, NS 201 or NS 202, BI 107, BI 108, CH 125 and PS 202; plus an advanced research methods course, three 100–200-level electives and a 300-level neuroscience course. The catalog strongly encourages finishing the six lab-based core courses by the end of sophomore year.

3. The pre-med path

• The catalog says premed, prelaw and similar programs are supported by special advisors. Health-professions students may choose any major, but should see a pre-health advisor early and before registering each semester; requirements vary by school and the student is responsible for checking them.
• HPAC is a committee of faculty and staff from Biology, Chemistry, Health and Human Physiological Sciences, academic advising and career development, among others. Students must join the Student Health Professions Network after arriving to be assigned a pre-health advisor. It advises on MD and DO, dentistry, veterinary medicine, physician assistant, nursing, physical and occupational therapy, public health, optometry and others. Students interested in clinical psychology should consult the Psychology Department, not HPAC.
• Catalog advice for biology majors: those planning professional school are encouraged to take two semesters of organic chemistry (CH 221, 222) and two semesters of calculus-based physics (PY 130, 140).
• Albany Medical College Early Assurance Program: per the HPAC page, qualified Skidmore students may apply at the end of sophomore year for assured admission to Albany’s MD program, learn the result at the start of junior year, and skip the MCAT. Requirements include eight listed courses (BI 107/108, general chemistry, organic chemistry I/II, biochemistry CH 341, PY 130/140), with chemistry plus two of the sequences done by application; at least 3.50 in biology, chemistry, physics and math and overall, and B- or better in all courses; ACT above 31 or SAT above 1400 (or an especially strong GPA with strong HPAC support); clinical experience and community service; applications due June 15 and documents by July 1. Acceptance is a binding commitment not to apply to other medical schools. The pages I read do not say whether international students may participate; ask the HPAC chair. It is not a direct-entry BS/MD for first-year applicants; students apply at the end of sophomore year.
• Other agreements: NYU Rory Meyers accelerated BSN (preferred but not guaranteed admission; at least 3.0 overall and prerequisite GPA, no C- or lower in the listed prerequisites); Russell Sage College’s Doctor of Physical Therapy and occupational therapy programs.
• The HPAC page notes that for medical, dental or veterinary school starting in fall 2028 the HPAC interview is in May. Medical school applications themselves are outside this article.
• Whether HPAC has separate guidance for international students: not stated on the pages I read; email HPAC.

4. High school preparation and credit

• The admission, international and FAQ pages I read do not list required high school math, biology, chemistry or physics. Not published there; ask admissions (admissions@skidmore.edu).
• In the catalog, a few 100-level courses list prerequisites of QR1, MA 100 or quantitative placement; BI 107 and BI 108 list no specific high school courses but are described as demanding, and the catalog discourages non-life-science majors from taking them. CH 115 Fundamentals of Chemistry may be taken before CH 125 and does not count toward the biology major.
• International credit (FAQ): IB Higher Level scores of 5 or higher earn 4 credits per exam (up to 16); A-Level grades of C or higher earn 4 credits per course (up to 16); AS-Level grades of C or higher earn 2 credits. Which biology or chemistry course these replace, and any AP credit: not stated on the pages I read. The catalog notes that “BI AP” credit does not count toward the biology major GPA.
• First two years: the biology foundation requirement is BI 107, BI 108 and CH 125 (or CH 126). Math and chemistry placement rules are not stated on the pages I read.

5. Rounds and materials

• Early Decision I (binding): application November 1; CSS Profile November 8; decision mid-December.
• Early Decision II (binding): January 8; CSS Profile January 15; decision mid-February.
• Regular Decision: January 8; CSS Profile January 15; decision mid-March; reply by May 1.
• The pages print no year, so confirm the dates are for fall 2027 entry. There is no Early Action.
• Platforms: Common App, Coalition App or QuestBridge. There is no application fee and no supplemental essay. Supporting materials (school report, two academic teacher recommendations, official transcript) are due within a week of the deadline. Interviews have not been offered since fall 2024.
• Testing: optional since 2016, with about two-thirds of applicants and enrollees applying without scores. Skidmore superscores SAT and ACT (ACT science not required); admitted students must send verified scores matching self-reported ones.

6. U.S. applicants

• Cost: Skidmore is private and lists one price, with no in-state or out-of-state rates. 2026-27: tuition and required fees $73,590; housing $11,630 in a traditional hall ($12,230 single, $14,890 apartment); food $8,040. Also a one-time $150 records fee, $365 per semester tuition insurance (waivable) and an estimated $4,065 annual health insurance (waivable with other coverage). Any extra fee for biology or health majors is not stated on the pages I read.
• Aid: Skidmore says it meets 100% of demonstrated need; the average aid package is $60,550 and 64% of students receive need-based grants. The CSS Profile alone is needed for Skidmore aid; the FAFSA is needed only on enrollment, for federal and state aid. Aid is delivered with the admission decision.
• In-state preference: not stated on the pages I read.
• Research: the biology page cites a greenhouse, vivarium and labs (topics such as circadian rhythms and molecular ecology) and faculty-student co-authored papers and conference presentations; neuroscience has research courses (NS 275, NS 371, NS 375H/376). Numbers of places: not published.

7. International applicants

• How to apply: Common App or Coalition App with official academic records, English results if required, and aid documents. An international student is anyone who is not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Skidmore says about 300 international students from more than 60 countries attend.
• English: needed if English is not your first language and you have not attended school for three years where English is the only language of instruction (TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo). The site says TOEFL 96–97, IELTS 7.0/7.5 or Duolingo 120 are generally regarded as an indicator of minimal proficiency; these are guides, not stated cutoffs. IB Diploma students can be waived.
• Documents: official secondary transcript (and university transcript if applicable) and at least one teacher or counselor recommendation. Non-English documents need certified English translations; a school official may translate, with no outside agency required. You do not need to convert grades to a 4.0 scale, but should include the school’s grading scale.
• Aid: need-based aid is open to international applicants, via the CSS Profile or Skidmore’s own International Student Financial Aid Application (ISFAA, free in the applicant portal after applying). The site says choosing the ISFAA does not disadvantage you. Skidmore gives no aid to students who declare themselves independent of their parents. Merit scholarships for international students: not stated on the pages I read.
• Other: international students may work on campus; the International Student and Scholar advising team helps with visas, employment and tax. Limits for international students in lab or clinical placements: not stated; not published there.
• The site says agents are not needed to gain admission.

8. Applicants from China

• Gaokao: Skidmore does not explain how it uses the Gaokao on the pages I read. Contact admissions (admissions@skidmore.edu, 518-580-5570).
• National exams: the FAQ says national exam results are reviewed only if they are required for graduation or tied to school grades; otherwise they are not required. This is a general statement that does not mention China.
• Transcripts and translation: see section 7; a school official’s English translation plus the grading scale is enough. Whether senior-high proficiency-exam materials are needed: not published there.
• Skidmore gives no separate math or science expectations for the Chinese curriculum; confirm with admissions.

9. Transfer students

• Deadlines: fall entry April 1, spring entry November 1 (no year printed; confirm).
• Materials: Common App for Transfer Students and the Skidmore supplement, personal statement, official transcripts from all colleges, final high school transcript, two college instructor evaluations, a College Official’s Report confirming good standing, and a midterm grade report if currently enrolled.
• Rules: at least one full-time semester (12+ credits) of college work first. Up to 60 credits transfer and you must complete 60 of the 120 credits at Skidmore. Courses must be C or better; technical or professional courses typically do not transfer; community college courses cannot count toward 300-level credit; final decisions come after admission. If you already hold a bachelor’s degree you cannot pursue the same type (BA or BS) again.
• Transferring into biology, neuroscience or similar majors: GPA and prerequisite sequences (chemistry, biology, calculus) are not stated on the pages I read; ask admissions and the registrar.
• There is an articulation agreement with SUNY Schenectady County Community College. Need-based aid is available to transfer students; aid for international transfer students is not described separately.

Checklist

U.S. applicants:

• Apply to the college (ED I November 1; ED II or RD January 8; confirm the year); no application fee; SAT/ACT optional
• After arriving, join the Student Health Professions Network and plan courses with a pre-health advisor before each registration

International applicants (including China):

• English: TOEFL 96–97, IELTS 7.0/7.5 or Duolingo 120 as guides; transcripts with the grading scale and English translation
• CSS Profile or ISFAA for aid; confirm with admissions how the Gaokao is used

Transfer students:

• April 1 (fall) or November 1 (spring); at least one full-time semester; C or better transfers, up to 60 credits

Sources: Skidmore College, Biology department: major and minor; 2026-2027 catalog: Biology; Catalog: Neuroscience; Catalog: Chemistry (with biochemistry concentration); Catalog: Health and Human Physiological Sciences; Catalog: Preparation for Profession (health professions); Health Professions Advisory Committee; HPAC articulation agreements; Apply; International applicants; Transfer applicants; Financial aid; Admission and aid FAQs; 2026-27 cost of attendance. Information is for fall 2027 entry (costs are 2026-27 figures; the admission pages print dates without a year). Check Skidmore’s website for the latest.