Transfer Students

Applying

Transfer students are expected to be familiar with Bard's distinctive curricular components, particularly Moderation and the Senior Project, and should anticipate spending three years at the College.

Bard accepts transfer students for the fall and spring semesters. However, due to the comprehensive nature of our first-year curriculum, we rarely, if ever, accept a mid-year first-year transfer student. Applicants who have completed one semester of college work may apply for admission in the fall. The deadlines for application are March 15 for the fall and November 1 for the spring. Please note that transfer applicants may not apply Early Action or Immediate Decision.

A complete transfer application file includes the following:

• Common Application *
• College transcript(s)
• High School transcript(s)**
• Academic References (two are required)***
  
• College Official's Report
• Essays (two are required)
• Application fee ($50.00)

Applicants older than 25 are automatically considered 'Returning to College Program' students and should check the appropriate box at the top of the application form; for more information about RCP, go to the Returning to College Program webpage Returning to College Program (RCP).

Interviews

Although a personal interview is not required for incoming first-year students, it is recommended for transfer candidates. Of primary importance is the candidate's understanding of Bard's common curriculum (Moderation, Senior Project, Distribution Requirements), learning environment (seminar/discussion, emphasis on close textual reading and writing), and academic concentrations (majors) in order to avoid any misunderstandings.

Transfer Credits

A student transferring from an accredited junior college, college, or university 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 not like those taught at Bard. For example, "journalism" per se is not offered at Bard, therefore no transfer credit would be granted for a journalism class. Determination of transfer credit is made by the Registrar's Office. Regardless of course credit eligibility, a maximum of 64 transfer credits can be granted. Transfer students must complete the final 64 credits at Bard, for a total of 128, in order to receive a Bard degree.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Financial aid is available for accepted transfer students; both the FAFSA and Financial Aid PROFILE forms must be submitted. The deadlines for submission of both forms are February 15 for the fall (a month in advance of the March 15 deadline for the application itself) and November 1 for the spring.

Click here to download Financial Aid Forms.

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). With the exception of the DSS, there are no supplemental scholarship application forms—all accepted students are automatically considered for all scholarships for which they are eligible.

*Bard requires the applicant to submit a supplemental essay when applying with the Common Application.
**Not required for candidates who will have completed an Associates Degree by the time of matriculation at Bard.
***It is preferable that both academic recommendations 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.

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