Transfer Students

Transfer Students FAQs

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Requirements

• Are L&T and First Year Seminar required for transfers?
• Who is considered a transfer student?
• Are interviews required for transfer students?

Applying as a Transfer Student

• What are the application deadlines?
• What makes up a complete application?
• Is there financial aid available?

Additional Questions

• What about the transfer of credit?
• Is housing available for transfer students?

Requirements

Q: Are L&T and First Year Seminar required for transfers?

A: Students coming to Bard with 28 or more transferable credits, as determined by the Registrar of the College, are exempt from taking the Language and Thinking (L&T) workshop and First-Year Seminar. Although transfers may elect to take First-Year Seminar, participation in L&T is based on space availability, with priority given to incoming first-year students and those with less than 28 transferable credits for whom it is required. Transfer students who have completed only one semester of college must apply for the fall term and are required to take L&T and First-Year Seminar.

Q: Who is considered a transfer student?

A: A "transfer student" is defined as one who has officially matriculated into a degree program (Associates or Bachelors) at an accredited junior college, college, or university, and completed at least one semester at that institution. Candidates who have simply taken college classes without having been admitted into that institution's degree program are considered incoming first-year students, not transfer students. Transfer students who are 25 years or older should apply directly to Bard's Returning to College Program (RCP).

Q: Are interviews required for transfer students?

A: Although a personal interview is not required for incoming first-year students, it is recommended for transfer candidates (and is referenced on the Transfer Candidate Questionnaire). 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.

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Applying as a Transfer Student

Q: What are the application deadlines?

A: 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.

Q: What makes up a complete application?

A: A complete transfer application file includes the following:

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

Q: Is there financial aid available?

A: 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.

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Additional Questions

Q: What about the transfer of credit?

A: 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 will be granted. Transfer students must complete the final 64 credits at Bard, for a total of 128, in order to receive a Bard degree.  In practical terms, however, transfer students coming in with 60 credits and junior-class standing may not be prepared to moderate into the Upper College by the end of their first semester at Bard, thus requiring an additional semester or two.

Q: Is housing available for transfer students?

A: Housing is not guaranteed for transfer students; however, accepted transfers may request on-campus housing by submitting the on-campus housing profile form. In order to learn more about housing availability, on- and off-campus, transfers should contact the Residence Life office.

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