Accepted Students

Accepted Students FAQs

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Deferred Matriculation

• How can I defer my matriculation for one year?

Family Visits

• When can my family visit me at Bard?

L&T and Registration

• Is the Language & Thinking Program graded?
• When do we register for classes?

Phones and Banking

• Will my cell phone work at Bard?
• What about opening a local bank account?

Traveling and Arrival

• When should I arrive on campus?
• What's the best way to get to Bard if I'm not driving?

What to Bring

• What should I bring with me to Bard?
• Can I send packages to myself before I arrive?
• Can I have a car on campus?
• Do I need my own computer at Bard?

Deferred Matriculation

Q: How can I defer my matriculation for one year?

A: Accepted students may ask to defer matriculation for one year; this request must be made in writing to the director of admission, accompanied by a short paragraph outlining the plan for the coming year. Please note that spring admission is not allowed for incoming first-year students, due to Bard's comprehensive first-year program (Language and Thinking Workshop, First-Year Seminar). Deferred students may enroll in college classes as nonmatriculants and still retain their first-year status at Bard. Credits accrued may be transferable for work completed with a grade of "C" or better in courses appropriate to the Bard academic program. A student who matriculates at another college must reapply to Bard as a transfer candidate.

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Family Visits

Q: When can my family visit me at Bard?

A: Students are encouraged to invite their families to Family Weekend in October.

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L&T and Registration

Q: Is the Language & Thinking Program graded?

A: Satisfactory completion of the Language & Thinking Program is required for matriculation into the College. Students receive a pass/fail grade for the three-week workshop and are expected to attend all class sessions, complete all assignments, and participate fully in class sessions.

Q: When do we register for classes?

A: Students will meet with an academic advisor and register for courses during Matriculation Days which take place during the last week of L&T.

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Phones and Banking

Q: Will my cell phone work at Bard?

A: Check with your cellular provider to find out about availability of service in the Hudson Valley. On campus many use Verizon and AT&T services which have offices in Kingston. AT&T also offers a special discount for Bard students. If you would like to set up an account, contact:

• Verizon Wireless (UPDATED INFO) 1200 Ulster Ave., Kingston, NY 12401, (845) 853-7351
• AT&T 1137 Ulster Ave., Kingston, NY 12401, (845) 336-0710, college code: 2529324 more

Q: What about opening a local bank account?

A: During the first week of L&T the College will take students to Red Hook to open bank accounts. Below are six local banks:

• Bank of America (UPDATED INFO) 451 Washington Avenue, Kingston, NY 12401, (845) 339-5275, 1343 Ulster Avenue, Kingston, NY 12401 (845) 336-8819, and 4266 Rte 9G,Germantown, NY 12526, (800) 841-4000
• Key Bank (Key Bank has an ATM in the Campus Center), 28 West Market St., Red Hook, NY 12571, (845) 758 2311
• M and T Bank, 7280 South Broadway, Red Hook, NY 12571, (845) 758-8811
• Mid-HudsonValley Federal Credit Union, 7472 South Broadway, Red Hook, NY 12571, (845) 336-4444
• Rhinebeck Savings Bank, 7350 South Broadway, Red Hook, NY 12571, (845) 758-1500
• Ulster Savings Bank (UPDATED INFO) 7296 South Broadway, Red Hook, NY 12571, (845) 758-4020

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Traveling and Arrival

Q: When should I arrive on campus?

A: Students should arrive on Sunday, August 7, 2011, between 9:00 a.m. and noon. You will get more information about where to check in during July.

Q: What's the best way to get to Bard if I'm not driving?

A: Albany International Airport is probably the most convenient to Bard, located 60 miles north of the campus. You may rent a car there or take an Amtrak train from Albany to Rhinecliff Station, then a 10-minute taxi ride to campus. Although Stewart-Newburgh Airport is 50 miles south of campus, there is no train connection and the number of carriers is limited. The major New York City airports (Newark, J.F.K., and LaGuardia) all have public transportation into the city (bus, taxi, subway for J.F.K. and LaGuardia) and to both train stations: Grand Central (Metro North Railroad) and Penn Station (Amtrak). We suggest that you take Amtrak to Rhinecliff Station. Although it's more expensive than Metro North, Metro North stops at Poughkeepsie (45 minutes south of the campus), so what you save in train costs, you lose to the longer taxi ride.

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What to Bring

Q: What should I bring with me to Bard?

A: Please click here to go to the pdf file of What to Bring to Bard.

Q: Can I send packages to myself before I arrive?

A: Yes!  Packages that arrive before Opening Day will be stored for your arrival.  Our shipping department will be open on August 7th. Packages can be sent to the following address:

• Your Name  - "Incoming First-Year Student"
  Bard College
  30 Campus Road
  Annandale on Hudson, NY 12504

Q: Can I have a car on campus?

A: Yes, all students (including first-year) are allowed to bring cars. Bard encourages biking and alternative methods of travel on campus, however, as part of the College's commitment to "going green." Incoming students are charged a yearly fee for registering their cars.

Q: Do I need my own computer at Bard?

A: No; there are more than 250 public access computers available for your use on campus, located in the Campus Center, Library, Henderson Computer Center, Henderson Technology Laboratories, and in most of the residence halls. Should you decide to bring your own computer, click here for the pdf file of computer recommendations. 

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