Skidmore Scope Magazine Annual Edition for 2017

Eric Jenks ’08 Since 1972 Skidmore has welcomed high school students to a five-week session of liberal and studio arts courses alongside Skidmore undergraduates. Precollege students can earn up to eight college credits while living in residence halls, doing community service, taking side trips, and sampling Skidmore’s busy summer schedule of readings, concerts, exhibits, and more. The program is designed to offer “academic rigor and opportunities to meet peers with diverse viewpoints and backgrounds,” according to its director, Michelle Paquette-Deuel. This year the program enrolled 67 teens from across the U.S. and around the world, many who came from un- derserved environments or will be the first-generation college student in their family. Paquette-Deuel notes, “They are high-achieving, but will benefit from the head start of being at a resi- dential college.” And about half of them end up applying to become regular Skidmore students. Wenqin He, from Shandong, China, arrived last summer with concerns about her lack of background in a classroom where English is spoken. But it went so well that she’s pleased to be a Skidmore freshman this fall, and her summer genetics professor is now her academic advisor. Realizing that “the challenge is to adapt a new lifestyle,” she took advantage of the residential experi- ence to figure out how to budget for her personal supplies and how to use appliances such as a clothes dryer—both firsts for her. Andrew Vella of New York City chose Skidmore after considering other precollege programs. He and his family were so impressed by its support and openness, including for his cerebral- palsy–related mobility issues, that he returned again last summer. He also applied and was accepted as a freshman this fall. Vella, whose long-term goal is to become a doctor, has advice for other precollege students: “Don’t be afraid to say ‘hi’ to people. Also, don’t be afraid to get a little lost; you’ll find new places!” —Helen Edelman ’74 PRECOLLEGE PREVIEWS Wenqin He and Andrew Vella take lawn seats for a ballet at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. A C C E S S