What are the application methods?
Choose only one! After you decide how you will apply, you will then decide when you will apply.
November Application Options
Deadline: November 1
Students applying to the Bard Conservatory of Music must apply by the Regular Decision deadline and are not eligible to apply through any other round.
The following are Bard's November 1 Application Options (choose only one):
The following are Bard's November 1 Application Options (choose only one):
January Application Options
Deadline: January 1
Students applying to the Bard Conservatory of Music must apply by the Regular Decision deadline and are not eligible to apply through any other round.
The following are Bard's January 1 Application Options (choose only one):
The following are Bard's January 1 Application Options (choose only one):
Photo by Pete Mauney ’93 MFA ’00
The Bard Entrance Examination
An alternative application option that does not require the submission of the Common Application or Coalition with Scoir. Apply by Nov. 1
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 mid December.
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 mid December.
Photo by Karl Rabe
Did You Know?
Bard College has been test optional for over 50 years
Applying for Financial Aid?
Required Financial Aid Forms for Bard College
Financial aid and scholarships based on need are available. (For some financial aid scholarships, students will need to fill out a form and submit that form at the same time their application to the College is submitted.) Both the FAFSA and CSS PROFILE forms are required by Bard for domestic students and are found online. For international students, the Bard International Student Application for Financial Aid is required and is to be completed and uploaded to their Bard portal with their application. All students receive access to their Bard Portal via email after submitting their application to Bard College.
Deadlines for Submitting Financial Aid Forms
Deadlines for Submitting Financial Aid Forms
- US citizens applying through the following early application options: Bard Entrance Exam, Early Action, Early Decision I, the College Board's College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS Profile) must be filed by December 1 in order for eligible students to receive a financial aid package alongside their admission decision. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be completed as soon as it becomes available in December, and no later than February 1, 2024.
- NOTE for Immediate Decision Plan (IDP) applicants: November 1 is the deadline to submit the CSS Profile. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be completed as soon as it becomes available in December, and no later than February 1, 2024.
- International students applying through the following early application options: Bard Entrance Exam, Early Action, Early Decision I, the Bard International Student Financial Aid Application (BISFAA) must be filed by November 1 in order for eligible students to receive a financial aid package alongside their admission decision.
- NOTE for Immediate Decision Plan (IDP) applicants: November 1 is the deadline to submit the BISFAA.
- US citizens who are applying through the Regular Decision or Early Decision II options, the College Board's College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS Profile) and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be filed by February 1 in order for eligible students to receive a financial aid package alongside their admission decision.
- International students who are applying through the Regular Decision or Early Decision II options, the Bard International Student Financial Aid Application (BISFAA) must be filed by January 1 in order for eligible students to receive a financial aid package alongside their admission decision.