Immediate Decision Plan

The Immediate Decision Plan: Bard's Accelerated Application Process

The Immediate Decision Plan (IDP) is intended for students who are seeking a hands-on approach to their application process. During this admission experience, participants engage in an immersive student experience where they participate in a class led by a Bard professor and afterwards have a conversation with an admission representative. This allows students to expand upon their application and learn more about what it is like to study at Bard. Through this process, students receive an admission decision by the evening of the following business day.

IDP 2026

Dates coming soon!

Student Registration
All students participating in IDP must register for this event in addition to submitting their application through Common Application or Scoir.

Immediate Decision Plan Process Early Decision II

In this binding process, candidates participate in a workshop conducted by a Bard faculty member and then have a conversation with an admission representative. The Admission Committee will release decisions the following business-day evening.

1. Complete the Immediate Decision Plan Early Decision II Registration form. After you submit your registration, you will receive an email confirming your date. If you find it necessary to cancel your registration date, you can do so by emailing [email protected] or by calling us at 845-758-7472.

2. After you have registered for IDP ED II, ensure you have submitted your complete application* using the Common Application or Coalition with Scoir. Please select "Early Decision II" for your preferred admission plan on your application. Your complete application must be submitted to the Admission Office by January 15. You must complete all applicable financial aid forms by the date of your interview. Click here for information about required materials.

3. Get ready for your IDP ED II session! An admission representative will email you with a link to your online interview at least 24 hours before your IDP date. See you soon!

*If you'd like to participate in IDP ED II and have already submitted a Regular Decision application, please contact the Admission Office at [email protected] or by calling us at 845-758-7472 to have your admission plan changed. Please be aware that Early Decision II is a binding admission plan, meaning that if you are admitted to the College, you will need to make your decision within a month of your offer(s) of admission and financial aid (if applicable).

NOTE: The College requires early commitment from accepted Early Decision II participants. If you are offered admission through Early Decision II, you must accept our offer of admission and make your deposit within a month after receipt of our offer and financial aid package if applicable. If you apply Early Decision II, you can not apply Early Decision II to another institution.

Who is IDP for?
- For the accomplished student with Bard as their top choice.
- Students who feel that the applications offered do not provide them with adequate space to fully explain important life and/or educational experiences.
- Students who wish to provide further context around something they have included in their application that they feel would be better explained in an interview setting.
- Please note that transfer students are not eligible to participate in IDP, except for Bard High School Early College students.
- BEE students cannot apply via Bard's IDP program in November.
Who is IDP for?
- For the accomplished student with Bard as their top choice.
- Students who feel that the applications offered do not provide them with adequate space to fully explain important life and/or educational experiences.
- Students who wish to provide further context around something they have included in their application that they feel would be better explained in an interview setting.
- Please note that transfer students are not eligible to participate in IDP, except for Bard High School Early College students.
- BEE students cannot apply via Bard's IDP program in November.
We expect applicants to have pursued a rigorous course of study including honors and/or advanced classes if offered at their secondary school. In addition, a well-balanced program of study is considered the best preparation for succeeding at Bard. Such a program should include, if possible, a full four-year sequence in English, social sciences, and mathematics; study of at least one foreign language for three, preferably four years; and three to four years of study in the laboratory sciences. The Admission Committee is interested in the entire high school record, with junior and senior year courses being especially important.

The committee also considers achievement, motivation, and intellectual ambition outside of school; appraises the standards of the secondary school curriculum; and carefully reads the application essay and recommendations. We suggest that recommendations be from both an English/humanities teacher and a math or science teacher from the junior or senior years. Students are advised to contact the Admission Office, or have their college counselor call to speak with an admission counselor if they have any questions about whether IDP is appropriate for them.
What makes IDP different?

In this day-long process, students first participate in a seminar-style workshop while parents and families can participate in a Q&A session with a senior administrator. In the afternoon, students are interviewed by a member of the Admission Committee who has already reviewed their application.
What makes IDP different?

In this day-long process, students first participate in a seminar-style workshop while parents and families can participate in a Q&A session with a senior administrator. In the afternoon, students are interviewed by a member of the Admission Committee who has already reviewed their application.
- In this day-long process, students participate in a seminar-style workshop followed by an interview with a member of the Admission Committee; parents/families can participate in a Q&A session with a senior administrator.
- In-person and virtual sessions are offered. Virtual sessions are designed to accommodate various time zones.
- Please note the class is not graded. It exists so you can experience a discussion-based class at Bard. While students are participating in the class, there is a Q&A by a senior administrator or the President of the College for those who accompanied students to IDP.

Immediate Decision Plan

IDP 2026

Immediate Decision Plan Process Early Decision II

Who is IDP for?

What makes IDP different?

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