About the Program
The Returning to College Program resists the separation of adult degree students and regular undergraduates. The program is founded on the premise that returning students benefit from participating in the regular undergraduate curriculum, taking their places at the seminar table, the lab bench, and barre, and learning from and with their younger colleagues.
VIEW MORE >>
Within the liberal arts curriculum at Bard, students in the RCP will engage in a rigorous encounter with their courses of study. It is through this process of engagement that the liberal arts enrich our lives and empower us to effect change in the world, and this is true for adult learners no less than their traditionally aged peers.
In most cases, RCP students should expect to spend at least two years, or four semesters, at Bard. Transfer credits are evaluated by the registrar after the first year of study. All RCP students must moderate into their major area of study and then complete a Senior Project in order to receive a Bard degree.
Please note that the RCP does not accommodate those who are seeking to earn a second bachelor's degree. Also, on-campus housing is not available for RCP students.
Applying to the RTC Program
Application to the Returning to College Program is on a rolling basis. For more information, please contact Greg Armbruster at 845-758-7472 or garmbrus@bard.edu.
How to Apply and When
In general, all transfer forms and supplements are applicable for RTC students. However, while we prefer recommendation letters from college instructors, we recognize that this may not be possible for RCP candidates; therefore, personal or employment recommendations are accepted. In addition to the application forms listed on the transfer student webpage, RCP candidates are required to:
VIEW MORE >>
1. clearly indicate on the front page of the application that they are applying to the Returning to College Program (RCP);
2. include a cover letter summarizing employment and academic history;
3. complete a personal interview with an admission counselor.
Financial Aid
RCP students are eligible for financial aid if they register for 12 or more credits in one semester. The FAFSA, CSS PROFILE, and a copy of the most current tax return must be submitted to the Financial Aid Office. If an RCP student registers for fewer than 12 credits in a given semester, the cost is calculated on a per-credit basis and no financial aid is available.
