Am I a Transfer Student?
A transfer student is defined as one who has officially matriculated into a degree program (associate’s or bachelor’s) at an accredited junior college, college, or university, and completed at least one semester at that institution.
Candidates who have taken college classes without being admitted into an institution's degree program are considered incoming first-year students, not transfer students. Bard also accepts international transfer students; the application requirements differ from those of domestic transfer students. Transfer students who are 25 years or older should apply directly to Bard's Returning to College Program (RCP).
Where Do I Start at Bard?
Transfer candidates with less than a year of college coursework may be required to participate in Bard’s
first-year program, as determined by the Registrar of the College, and therefore can only apply for the fall term. Due to the comprehensive nature of our first-year program, we do not accept mid-year first-year transfer students.
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Am I Exempt from Bard's First-Year Program? Transfers who have completed one year of college (two semesters or three quarters) as full-time students are exempt from Bard's first-year program (i.e., Language and Thinking, First-Year Seminar, Citizen Science), regardless of the number of transferable credits, and even if they are consequently deemed first-years by the Registrar. Transfers who have completed only one semester or two quarters of college work, or who were not full-time students, are required to complete Bard's first-year program.
Bard's Curriculum Transfer students are expected to be familiar with Bard's distinctive curricular components, particularly Moderation and the Senior Project. Even if they arrive at Bard with 64 transferable credits and junior-class standing, transfers may not be prepared to moderate into the Upper College by the end of their first semester at Bard, and are therefore granted two semesters in which to complete their moderation. Those interested in majoring in Photography or Written Arts must submit a portfolio of their work along with the application.
Curriculum
Of primary importance is the transfer candidate's understanding of Bard's
common curriculum (Moderation, Senior Project, and distribution requirements), learning environment (seminar/discussion, emphasis on close textual reading and writing), and
academic concentrations (majors) in order to avoid any misunderstandings.
What to Include in Your Application
Please note that transfer applicants may not apply to Bard Early Action or Immediate Decision, but must apply Regular Admission. Application due dates also differ for transfer students. Apply using the
Common Application.
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The College Report and college transcript are also required. A high school transcript is required unless the candidate will have completed an associate’s degree by the time of matriculation at Bard.
Both academic recommendations should come from college faculty. However, for those who have completed only one or two college semesters in circumstances where the classes have been large and contact with professors minimal, we will accept high school faculty recommendations.
Artistic supplements are not required for admission to Bard, except in the case of transfer candidates seeking admission to the Written Arts or Photography programs. Download portfolio information about these programs on the forms page.
Interviews
Although a personal interview is not required for incoming first-year students,
it is strongly recommended for transfer candidates. Candidates should demonstrate their understanding of
Bard's curriculum in their interview.
Transfer Credit
A student transferring from an accredited institution usually receives full credit for work completed with a grade of C or better in courses appropriate to the Bard curriculum. Specifically, no transfer credit will be given for courses that are dissimilar from those offered at Bard.
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For example, “journalism” per se is not offered at Bard, therefore the Registrar's Office would not grant transfer credit for a journalism class. Also, credits will not transfer from online or distance learning classes, nor will they transfer from college algebra or lower level math courses. Regardless of course credit eligibility, a maximum of 64 transfer credits can be granted. Transfer students must complete a minimum of 64 credits at Bard, for a total of 128, in order to receive a Bard degree.
Financial Aid
Financial aid is available for transfer students. Both the
FAFSA and
CSS PROFILE forms must be submitted. Some scholarships are available for transfer students, including the
Distinguished Scientist Scholars Program (DSS). However, transfer students are not eligible for the Excellence and Equal Cost Program (EEC).
Housing for Transfer Students
Housing is not guaranteed for transfer students; however, accepted transfers may request on-campus housing by submitting the on-campus housing profile form. To learn more about housing availability on- and off-campus, transfers should contact the
Residence Life Office.
