Merit Awards

Filene Music Scholarship

Filene Music Scholarships are awarded each year through a performance competition coordinated by Skidmore’s Department of Music. This scholarship is awarded without regard to financial need and carries with it a four-year grant totaling $80,000 ($20,000 per year). Learn more on the Music Department website.

 

Porter/Wachenheim Presidential Scholarships in Science and Mathematics

Skidmore annually awards 14 Porter/Wachenheim Scholarships in Science and Mathematics on the basis of superior accomplishment in science and mathematics, without regard to financial need; considerable promise in and passion for science and math are also important. Each Porter/Wachenheim Scholar is awarded a $80,000 scholarship ($20,000 per year). Though recipients are not required to major in science or math, they must take at least one course in science or math each semester and pursue a research project or independent study with a member of the Skidmore science or mathematics faculty. These disciplines at Skidmore include Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Environmental Sciences, Geosciences, Health and Human Physiological Sciences, Mathematics and Statistics, Neuroscience, Physics, and Psychology.

Candidates are selected by a faculty committee on the strength of their admissions applications (coursework in science and math, standardized test scores, teacher recommendations, and related pursuits beyond the classroom). The application deadline is January 15. Applicants must check the Porter/Wachenheim Scholarship option on the Common Application, where they will link to the Porter/Wachenheim Scholarship page on Skidmore's website; there, they are asked to list extracurricular science and math activities and to respond to an essay question.

For questions about the Porter/Wachenheim Scholarship, contact Professor of Psychology Rebecca Johnson at 518-580-5306. You may also contact Admissions at 800-867-6007, or Financial Aid at 518-580-5750.

How to Apply for the Porter/Wachenheim Scholarship

Applicants interested in applying for the Porter/Wachenheim Presidential Scholarships in Science and Mathematics should do the following by January 15:

1. If you have not already done so, make sure that you check the Porter/Wachenheim Scholarship option on your application.
   
   
2. After you submit your application to Skidmore, log into your applicant portal and upload a PDF document that lists any extra-curricular science and math activities you have been involved in (e.g., school clubs, academic teams, tutoring, relevant volunteer work, shadowing/internship experiences, independent studies, summer research programs, etc.) and any awards/honors you have received (e.g., science fair competitions, science or math Olympiad medals, high testing, etc.).  This can include anything in Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Environmental Sciences, Geosciences, Health and Human Physiological Sciences, Mathematics and Statistics, Neuroscience, Physics, or Psychology. Then underneath the list, write a brief essay discussing:
   
   (a) your interests in science and/or mathematics,
   (b) how the activities you list above have helped you grow as a scientist and/or mathematician, and
   (c) how you hope to pursue your scholarly interests at Skidmore.