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Dates, Deadlines, & Decisions

• What are your application deadlines?
• When can I expect to find out Bard's decision?
• How can I expect to receive your decision? Can I get it by phone or online?

Requirements

• What does the Admissions Committee consider in making their decisions?
• What does a complete application include?
• What are your entrance requirements?
• What are your average SAT/ACT scores and how important are they to the decision process?
• Are interviews required? How do I schedule one?

Scholarships & Financial Aid

• Are there scholarships, and how do I apply for those?
• What financial aid is available?

Q: What are your application deadlines?

A: For Early Action, applications are due by November 1. For the Immediate Decision Plan, students must register for their date ahead of time in early fall. For Regular Decision, applications are due by January 1.

Q: When can I expect to find out Bard's decision?

A:Early Action applicants will be notified by January 1. Immediate Decision Plan will be mailed the decision the following day. Regular Decision applicants will be notified of the Admission Committee decision around April 1.

Q: How can I expect to receive your decision? Can I get it by phone or online?

A: Bard does not currently release admission decisions over the phone. Students will be notified of their admission status via mail. International students may receive their decisions via e-mail. Decisions are mailed in late March for Regular Admission, and in mid to late December for Early Action Admission.

Q: What does the Admissions Committee consider in making their decisions?

A: In selecting an incoming class, the Admission Committee reviews more than grades and test scores. To assess an applicant, the committee considers achievement, motivation, and intellectual ambition; appraises the standards of the secondary school curriculum; and carefully reviews application essays. The committee also considers the time and effort that the student has dedicated to classes and out-of-class activities and pays close attention to recommendations. The Admission Committee does not consider a candidate's financial need in making its decision.

Q: What does a complete application include?

A: All candidates may use the Bard Application, the Common Application, or the Universal College Application. A complete application includes two essays, letters of recommendation from at least two of the student's junior- or senior-year academic teachers (one of whom should be a mathematics or science teacher), the guidance counselor recommendation and school report, and a transcript with grades from the senior year.

Q: What are your entrance requirements?

A: Applicants are encouraged to pursue a strong program of study, which should include a full four-year sequence in English, social sciences, and mathematics; the study of at least one foreign language for three or preferably four years; and three to four years of study in the laboratory sciences.

Q: Do you require SAT/ACT scores?

A: No, but if you submit your scores we will consider them in making our admission decisions.

Q: Are interviews required? How do I schedule one?

A: Interviews are not required for admission and are available only to students who have submitted the biographical portion or the full application along with the application fee. These may be brought to the interview.
       Off-campus interviews may be offered by admission staff at several sties. Refer to our Bard on the Road page for further information. Phone interviews and alumni/ae interviews are not available.
       Schedule an interview with an admission counselor by calling the Admission Office at 845-758-7472. Please note the deadline for Early Action candidates to interview is November 1, and for Regular Admission applicants the deadline is December 22. All candidates applying through the Immediate Decision Plan will be interviewed.

Q: Are there scholarships, and how do I apply for those?

A: Bard College grants may come from endowed funds, designated gifts, and institutional operating funds. Once grant eligibility is established, students are automatically considered for all special College grants or scholarships for which they may be eligible. What this means is that for all but the Distinguished Scientist Scholars program (DSS) you will not need to submit supplemental applications to be considered for Bard College grants.

Q: What financial aid is available?

A: Admission to Bard is need-blind, which means that admission decisions for all first-year students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents are made without regard to the student's financial situation. About 65% of the incoming class received financial assistance with an average aid package totaling $23,704. more