How to Apply to Mathematics at Skidmore College: A Mathematics B.A. in a Liberal Arts College, 11 Courses with a Calculus Placement Exam, Combinable with a Second Major or Minor, for Domestic, International (Including Chinese) and Transfer Applicants

Skidmore College (Saratoga Springs, New York) is a liberal arts college. Undergraduate mathematics is offered by the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, and students apply to the College through the Office of Admissions. Here is what you need to know, based on the College’s website and the 2026–27 catalog, organised for US domestic applicants, international applicants and applicants from China, followed by transfer students. Computer science is not covered in this article beyond a mention where courses overlap with mathematics.

1. Degrees and areas

• Degree: the catalog lists one undergraduate mathematics degree, the Mathematics B.A., plus a Mathematics Minor and a Statistics Minor. The majors-and-minors page lists Statistics in the minors section, and the international applicants page mentions statistics among popular fields; the pages read do not say whether a separate statistics major exists, so check with the department.
• Major requirements (students entering in fall 2026 and later): 11 courses at the 200 level or above in mathematics or designated courses in statistics, computer science or economics. Prerequisites: MA 111 Calculus I (or MA 110 Mathematics Toolkit plus MA 111) and MA 113 Calculus II. Required: MA 200 Linear Algebra; MS 204 Statistical Methods (or MS 240 Applied Regression Analysis); MA 211 Calculus III; MA 215 Introduction to Mathematical Reasoning and Proof (which also fulfils the writing requirement); MA 303 Introduction to Analysis; MA 319 Abstract Algebra I; MA 376 Senior Seminar in Mathematics; three additional courses, at least one at the 300 level; and one of CS 106, CS 209 or CS 226. The catalog gives a total of 48–54 credit hours.
• Directions: the catalog suggests electives for students interested in theoretical mathematics (graph theory, topology, abstract algebra II, complex analysis), applied mathematics (differential equations, numerical algorithms, complex analysis, dynamical systems), statistics (applied regression, probability) and mathematics education (probability). There are no separate degree tracks. Some economics and machine learning courses (for example EC 331 Mathematical Economics and CS 316 Foundations of Machine Learning) may count as electives under conditions.
• Flexibility: the department says the major is flexible enough to combine with a second major or minor. The international applicants page also mentions engineering dual-degree programs with Dartmouth College and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and 4+1 MBA programs with Clarkson University and Rochester Institute of Technology; this article does not go into them.
• Honors: departmental honors in mathematics has two routes. The portfolio option needs a GPA of 3.75 or higher in department courses (MA, MS) and 3.0 or higher at Skidmore overall; the thesis option needs 3.50 or higher in department courses and 3.0 overall, plus an honors thesis and an oral presentation. For both, a declaration of intention must be filed with the department by the end of the add-drop period in the semester of graduation. The catalog also lists honors courses such as Honors: Calculus II and Honors: Problem Solving; how students enter them is not stated in the pages read.

2. How admission works: you apply to the College, not to the major

• At application: the admissions pages do not ask applicants to choose mathematics. You apply through the Common Application, Coalition Application or QuestBridge Application, and the Admissions Committee looks at academic record, rigor of coursework, personal statement, recommendations and activities. Art, music and dance do not require portfolios, and mathematics has no special application materials.
• Declaring the major: the pages read do not say when to declare mathematics or whether there is a GPA threshold or a cap; this is not published in what was read, so ask the department (518-580-5280) or the Registrar.
• Internal transfer into the major: the catalog says students planning to major in mathematics should complete Calculus I and II. Other conditions are not published in the pages read.

3. Prerequisites and placement

• High school math: the College and department pages read do not state a high school math requirement; ask Admissions.
• Placement: the catalog says students who plan to study mathematics at Skidmore should take the online Calculus Placement Exam before classes begin, and the department recommends where to start based on the result. The catalog’s suggested sequence is MA 110 + MA 111 (Mathematics Toolkit and Calculus I, 4–7 credit hours) or MA 111, then MA 113 Calculus II, MA 200 Linear Algebra, MA 211 Calculus III and MA 215. The placement page the catalog links to returned a 404 when read, so ask the department for details.
• AP credit: the catalog says a 4 or 5 on AP Calculus AB earns credit for MA 111 Calculus I; a 4 or 5 on AP Calculus BC earns credit for MA 113 Calculus II and waives MA 114 Sequences and Series (for students who entered in fall 2022–2025 MA 114 is a prerequisite for the major; it no longer appears in the requirement table for students entering in fall 2026 and later). For AP Statistics, the catalog says that for students entering in fall 2024 and later, the exam is no longer equivalent to MS 104 and earns general elective credit only.
• IB and A-Level: the admissions FAQ says IB Higher Level exams with a 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 C or higher earns 2 credits per course. How these map to math major courses is not stated in the pages read.
• Math competitions: not mentioned in the pages read.

4. Deadlines and application materials

• Rounds and deadlines: Early Decision I (binding) 1 November, decision in mid-December and reply in early January; Early Decision II and Regular Decision both 8 January, with ED II decisions in mid-February (reply late February) and RD decisions in mid-March (reply 1 May). There is no Early Action. A Regular Decision application can be switched to Early Decision by emailing Admissions by 30 November (ED I) or 1 February (ED II). The pages show no year, so check that they apply to fall 2027 entry.
• Supporting materials: due within one week of the application deadline. Required: school report, two academic teacher recommendations and the official transcript. The site does not say the recommenders must be math teachers. Quarter grades: 22 November (ED I) and 22 January (ED II); mid-year grades 10 February (RD), or 1 March for admitted ED students who enrol; final transcript 15 July.
• Fee and essays: no application fee; no supplemental essays, just the personal statement on the application platform. Admissions interviews have not been offered since fall 2024.
• Testing: test-optional since 2016; about two-thirds of applicants and enrolling students apply without scores. If submitted, SAT/ACT scores are superscored (the ACT science section is not required) and can be self-reported; admitted students must provide verified scores matching the self-reported ones by 15 July.

5. US domestic applicants

• Costs (2026–27): the cost page lists tuition and required fees of $73,590; housing $11,630 (traditional hall), $12,230 (single room) or $14,890 (on-campus apartment); food $8,040. A one-time records fee of $150 applies in the first semester, tuition insurance is $365 per semester (waivable), and health insurance is estimated at $4,065 a year (waivable with valid coverage). The pages read show no in-state versus out-of-state difference. The 2027–28 figures are not published in the pages read; see the College’s website.
• Aid: the College says it meets 100% of demonstrated need, with a $96 million aid budget and an average package of $60,550. To be considered for need-based aid you only need the CSS Profile, by 8 November (ED I) or 15 January (ED II and RD); the FAFSA is needed only after enrolment. Codes: CSS Profile 2815, FAFSA 002814, TAP (New York residents) 0855. The Opportunity Program (HEOP for eligible New York State students, AOP for students outside New York or with family incomes slightly above HEOP guidelines) needs no separate application; every applicant is considered.
• Priority or guaranteed admission for state residents: not mentioned in the pages read.

6. International applicants

• Who counts: applicants who are not US citizens or permanent residents, who have completed the equivalent of a US secondary education or hold a GED or a recognised equivalency exam.
• English: applicants whose first language is not English and who have not attended school for at least three years where English is the only language of instruction must submit TOEFL, IELTS or the Duolingo English Test; waivers are available for IB Diploma students. The page says that generally a TOEFL score of 96–97, an IELTS of 7.0/7.5 or a Duolingo score of 120 is regarded as an indicator of minimal proficiency; it does not state a hard cut-off.
• Academic documents: official secondary transcript (and university transcript if applicable) and at least one teacher or counselor recommendation; non-English documents need certified English translations, and transcripts should include the grading scale. The general application page lists two academic teacher recommendations as required supporting materials; check the applicant portal checklist for the current requirement.
• Aid: need-based aid is available to international applicants through the CSS Profile or the Skidmore International Student Financial Aid Application (ISFAA), available free in the applicant portal after applying; the College says choosing the ISFAA is no disadvantage. International-student-specific scholarships are not described in the pages read.
• Other: about 300 international students from more than 60 countries (about 7% of the student body); on-campus housing is guaranteed for four years; an international student and scholar advising team helps with visas and employment. The College states that agents are not needed to gain admission.

7. Applicants from China

• Gaokao: whether and how the Gaokao is used is not published in the pages read. Contact Admissions (admissions@skidmore.edu, 518-580-5570).
• Transcripts and school-leaving materials: no China-specific requirements are published; the general international requirements are in section 6 (transcripts, grading scale, certified translations, English proof).
• International curricula: AP, IB and A-Level students can use the credit rules in section 3; IB students’ schools submit predicted results, A-Level students’ schools submit O-Level/IGCSE and predicted A-Level results, and final results are due after admission and enrolment.

8. Costs, scholarships and outcomes

• Costs: see section 5.
• Department research and scholarships: the department page describes an active research program and summer research (for example two math majors working with a faculty member on a game-based research project) and mentions S3M scholars; the catalog lists an S3M Program Director. The pages read do not give S3M eligibility or award amounts, so ask the department.
• Outcomes: the department says alumni often pursue careers in business, education, finance and science, or graduate programs in mathematics, statistics, biostatistics, economics, engineering, finance and law. It lists job titles (analyst, data scientist, engineer, financial consultant, high school teacher, lab technician, research assistant, software developer, technological consultant), employers (including the Baltimore Ravens, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Los Alamos National Laboratory and Morgan Stanley) and graduate schools (including Brown, Cornell, Dartmouth, New York University and the University of Michigan). It prints no employment rate figures.

9. Transfer students

• Who counts: applicants who have completed the equivalent of a US secondary education and taken at least one full-time semester (12+ credits) as a degree-seeking student at another college or university.
• Deadlines: spring entry 1 November, fall entry 1 April; the pages show no year, so check. Apply with the Common Application for Transfer Students plus the Skidmore supplement: personal statement, official transcripts from all colleges attended, the final high school transcript, two college instructor evaluations, a College Official’s Report confirming good standing, and a midterm grade report if currently enrolled. Need-based aid is available to transfers; contact finaid@skidmore.edu.
• Credit transfer: up to 60 credits transfer, and at least 60 credits must be completed in residence at Skidmore; grades must be C or better; grades from previous schools do not appear on the Skidmore transcript or affect GPA; technical or professional courses typically do not transfer; community college courses cannot count toward 300-level credit; final decisions come after admission. The College suggests Transferology for estimates. Whether outside calculus courses can satisfy the math major’s Calculus I and II prerequisites is not stated in the pages read; ask the department.
• Agreement: a formal articulation agreement with SUNY Schenectady County Community College gives students admitted through that pathway a full credit evaluation before acceptance and aid that meets their full demonstrated need.

Checklist

US domestic applicants:

• ED I 1 November; ED II and RD 8 January; no application fee; no supplemental essay; two academic teacher recommendations; testing optional
• CSS Profile: 8 November (ED I), 15 January (ED II, RD)

International applicants (including China):

• TOEFL about 96–97, IELTS 7.0/7.5, Duolingo 120 (indicators of minimal proficiency, or a waiver such as three years at an English-only school); CSS Profile or ISFAA
• Gaokao use not published; ask Admissions

Before and after entry:

• Take the online Calculus Placement Exam before classes; start with MA 111 (or MA 110 + MA 111); AP Calculus AB/BC 4–5 earns MA 111/MA 113; finish 11 courses for the major

Transfer students:

• Spring 1 November, fall 1 April; up to 60 credits at grade C or better; confirm calculus prerequisites with the department

Sources: Skidmore College, Mathematics and Statistics department; 2026-27 catalog: Mathematics and Statistics; Majors and minors; Admissions: apply; Admissions: international applicants; Admissions: transfer applicants; Admission and aid FAQs; Financial aid; 2026-27 cost of attendance. The dates on the admissions pages show no year, so check that they apply to fall 2027 entry and see the College’s website for the latest.