Applying to Bard

What are the application options?

Choose only one!

Using the Common Application, candidates may apply to Bard through:
Regular Decision
Early Action
Early Decision
The Immediate Decision Plan*
An alternative method of application is the Bard Entrance Examination, an online essay application.

*Interviews are optional, except for the Immediate Decision Plan (IDP) where interviews are part of the IDP process and day.

See below for more details on each of these ways to apply to Bard!

Did You Know?

Bard College has been test optional for over 40 years.
You do not need to take the SAT or ACT to apply to Bard.

There is NO application fee to apply to Bard College!

Early Application Options

Apply by November 1

Early application options: Apply using the Common Application, except for the Bard Entrance Exam, which is an online essay application. Decisions will be posted by the end of December, and earlier for IDP candidates, on your Bard applicant portal. In addition to receiving an admission decision of either accept or deny, a candidate can also receive the decision: defer to Regular Decision. Being deferred to Regular Decision is not an acceptance or denial decision; the Committee is postponing making a decision until it receives senior year data. Those who are not offered admission are usually required to wait a full academic year before reapplying. The following are Bard's Early Application Options (choose only one):

Apply with the Common App

Immediate Decision Plan

IDP accelerates the admission process during a daylong session which will be virtual this year. In order to accommodate students from different timezones, there are Eastern Time (ET) Morning Start IDP Sessions and Eastern Time (ET) Afternoon Start IDP Sessions. Registration is Required for an IDP Session.

Immediate Decision Plan

IDP accelerates the admission process during a daylong session which will be virtual this year. In order to accommodate students from different timezones, there are Eastern Time (ET) Morning Start IDP Sessions and Eastern Time (ET) Afternoon Start IDP Sessions. Registration is Required for an IDP Session.

The Immediate Decision Plan (IDP) is recommended for the accomplished student for whom Bard is the top choice. Applicants may choose for this process to be binding or non-binding. IDP candidates participate in a seminar with Bard faculty and then interview with admission counselors. Decisions are posted to applicant portals the next business-day evening (notification sent via email). For domestic students, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and The College Board's College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS Profile) must be filed by December 1. For International students, the International Student Financial Aid application, which can be found here, must be submitted by November 1.

Register for IDP, read about the process, and view schedule!
Early Decision

Highly-qualified candidates for whom Bard is the top choice may opt to use the binding Early Decision process.

Early Decision

Highly-qualified candidates for whom Bard is the top choice may opt to use the binding Early Decision process.

Please complete the Early Decision Agreement form, available on the Common Application website. Decisions will be posted to your Bard Applicant Portal by the end of December. For domestic students, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and The College Board's College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS Profile) must be filed by December 1. For international students, the International Student Financial Aid application, which can be found here, must be submitted by November 1.
Early Action

Highly-qualified candidates for whom Bard is a top choice may opt to use the non-binding Early Action process.

Early Action

Highly-qualified candidates for whom Bard is a top choice may opt to use the non-binding Early Action process.

Please clearly indicate your intent to apply Early Action on the application. Decisions will be posted to your Bard Applicant Portal by the end of December. For domestic students, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and The College Board's College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS Profile) must be filed by December 1. For International students, the International Student Financial Aid application, which can be found here, must be submitted by November 1.

The Bard Entrance Examination

The Bard Entrance Examination is an online essay exam open only to high school juniors and seniors. The exam must be finished and submitted by November 1. Completion of the exam is equivalent to an application for admission. Applicants receive pass/fail notification of exam results by the end of December.

Workshops Offered Giving Insight into the Entrance Exam
We are offering Bard Entrance Exam applicants for Fall 2021 the opportunity to participate in a series of online workshops led by Bard faculty. These workshops are for BEE Applicants only!

Click on "Learn More" for information on and registration for the workshops, and for more about the BEE process.

Learn More

Regular Decision Option

Apply by January 4

Application Deadline Extended

We know it's been a challenging year, so we want to give your students a little more time to submit their applications. We are moving our regular decision application deadline from Friday, January 1, 2021 to Monday, January 4, 2021.

Regular decision option: Apply using the Common Application. Decisions will be posted to your Bard applicant portal by the end of March. Candidates who are placed on the wait list are invited to submit supplemental information. Those who are not offered admission are usually required to wait a full academic year before reapplying.

Apply with the Common App

Applying for Financial Aid?

Financial Aid Required Forms for Bard

Financial aid and scholarships based on need are available. Both the FAFSA and CSS PROFILE forms are required by Bard for domestic students. For international students, the International Student Application for Financial Aid is required.

Deadline for submitting financial aid forms for international students for early application options: November 1
Deadline for submitting financial aid forms for domestic students for early application options: December 1

Deadline for submitting financial aid forms for international students for regular decision option: January 1
Deadline for submitting financial aid forms for domestic students for regular decision option: February 1

Financial Aid Website

Virtual Interviews

Interviews are optional at Bard

If you decide to interview, we have scheduled virtual interviews beginning in September.

Please take note that interview deadlines are based upon when you decide to apply to Bard and if you are a first year or transfer student:

First-Year Early Applicants Interview Deadline: Concluded
First-Year Regular Decision Applicants Interview Deadline: Concluded
Transfer Spring Applicants Interview Deadline: Concluded
Transfer Fall Applicants Interview Deadline: February 26, 2021

Virtual Interview

How Will You Apply?

Photo by Karl Rabe

There is important information that is particular to you.

To apply to the Bard Conservatory, you must first apply to Bard College.

Click on how you will be entering Bard by choosing one of the links below. There is more information, including deadlines:

FIRST-YEAR TRANSFER BARD EARLY COLLEGE INTERNATIONAL Homeschooled DACA/UNDOCUMENTED BARD CONSERVATORY

Notice of Availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report