Main Image for Immediate Decision Plan 

Immediate Decision Plan
 

Photo by Chris Kayden
The Immediate Decision Plan: Bard's unique application process
Through this process, students receive an admission decision by the evening of the following business day. Please find registration details below.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • How to Apply
    Registration is now live!

    Students will be able to select from in-person or virtual dates. Virtual date options are reserved for students who are unable to attend in-person. 

    Registration is required and space is limited. Students are encouraged to register as soon as possible once registration is available.

Registration is now live!

In-person dates:

Friday, November 3rd starting at 10 AM EST 
REGISTER FOR NOVEMBER 3
REGISTRATION FULL for Saturday, November 4th starting at 10 AM EST
REGISTRATION FULL

Friday, November 10th starting at 10 AM EST
REGISTER FOR NOVEMBER 10
REGISTRATION FULL for Saturday, November 11th starting at 10 AM EST
REGISTRATION FULL



Virtual dates:

Friday, November 17th starting at 12:00 PM EST
REGISTER FOR VIRTUAL NOVEMBER 17
Saturday, November 18th starting at 10:00 AM EST
REGISTER FOR VIRTUAL NOVEMBER 18

Please note, for the virtual IDP sessions, parents/guardians are invited to attend a welcome and Q&A with the Director of Admission, Mackie Siebens '12, and President of the College, Leon Botstein. Registration is required.

Friday, November 17th starting at 12:00 PM EST
PARENT REGISTRATION VIRTUAL NOVEMBER 17
Saturday, November 18th starting at 10:00 AM EST
PARENT REGISTRATION VIRTUAL NOVEMBER 18

Immediate Decision Plan Process

Candidates participate in a workshop conducted by a Bard faculty member and then interview with an admission counselor. The Admission Committee will release decisions the following business-day evening.

1. Pick an IDP date that works for you

  • In-person IDP dates: Friday, November 3; Saturday, November 4; Friday, November 10, and Saturday, November 11
  • Virtual IDP dates: Friday, November 17 and Saturday, November 18. In order to accommodate different time zones, the Friday, November 17 day starts at 12:00 pm ET and the Saturday, November 18 day starts at 10:00 am ET. 
2. Complete the online registration form. You will immediately receive an email confirming your registration. For your records, keep your registration confirmation email. You can also edit your registration through a link included in that email. If you find it necessary to change or cancel your registration date, you can do so in the registration confirmation email you received from us, or notify the Admission Office as soon as possible at 845-758-7472 or [email protected].

3. Submit your complete application using the online Common Application or Coalition with Scoir and ensure that you have registered for an IDP date. Please select "Early Action" or "Early Decision I" for your preferred admission plan on your application. Your complete application must be submitted to the Admission Office by November 1. The materials required for a complete application are the school report; the high school transcript, including senior courses; two academic references; and the Common Application essay.

4. If you selected a virtual IDP date, an admission counselor will email you with a link to your online interview at least 48 hours before your IDP date. 

NOTE: The College requires early commitment from accepted Early Decision I participants. If you are offered admission through Early Decision I, 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 are offered admission through Early Action, you have until the standard candidate's reply date, May 1, to inform the College of your enrollment decision. If you apply Early Decision I, you can not apply Early Decision I to another institution. 

Important Information

  • Upon registration for your IDP date, you will immediately receive a confirmation email. Please keep this information or your records. You can also edit your registration through a link included in that email. If you find it necessary to change or cancel your registration date, you can do so in the registration confirmation email you received from us, or notify the Admission Office as soon as possible at 845-758-7472 or [email protected].
  • A more detailed IDP schedule will be released in advance of a student’s IDP day.
  •  If you have a virtual IDP date (Friday or Saturday) students and families will use Zoom links provided to access student classes and family Q&A. These Zoom links will be provided in advance of a student's IDP date, along with a schedule of the day's events.

2023 IDP Schedules

In-Person Sessions: 
Friday, November 3     Saturday, November 4     Friday, November 10     Saturday, November 11

Time (Eastern Time) Session
9:00 am – 9:45 am ET Check-in
For Friday sessions, check-in will be at Hopson Cottage (Admission)
For Saturday sessions, check-in will be at the Reem-Kayden Center (RKC)
9:45 am - 10:00 am ET Welcome
Opening remarks by the Director of Admission, Mackie Siebens '12
10:00 – 11:00 am ET Student Classes
During this student-only session, students will break out into their assigned classes.
Parent/Guardian Q&A
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. 
11:30 pm – 2:00pm ET Interviews
Students will return to Hopson Cottage waiting room until a counselor calls them back for their interview. Each interview is about 20 to 30 minutes long.

 Virtual Day: Friday, November 17
In order to accommodate students from different time zones, there is an  Eastern Time (ET) afternoon start IDP schedule (Friday, November 17) and Eastern Time (ET) morning start IDP schedule (Saturday, November 18). The virtual IDP dates are reserved for students who cannot travel to campus for an in-person visit. 
Time (Eastern Time) Session
12:00 –12:15pm ET Welcome 
Opening remarks by the Director of Admission, Mackie Siebens '12
12:15 –1:15pm ET Student Classes
During this student-only session, students will break out into small-group workshops
Q&A with the President
Parents, families, and guests are welcome to join Bard College President Leon Botstein in an open question-and-answer session
1:30pm – 4:00pm ET Interviews
Admission counselors will email the students they are interviewing with the online interview link and the time of the interview at least one business day before the IDP date. Each interview is about 20 to 30 minutes long
1:30pm – 4:00pm ET Waiting Room
Visit the “Waiting Room” before or after your interview to chat with our tour guides, who can share their Bard experience and answer your questions

Virtual Day: Saturday, November 18
 In order to accommodate students from different time zones, there is an  Eastern Time (ET) afternoon start IDP schedule (Friday, November 17) and Eastern Time (ET) morning start IDP schedule (Saturday, November 18). The virtual IDP dates are reserved for students who cannot travel to campus for an in-person visit.
Time (Eastern Time) Session
10:00 am –10:15 am ET Welcome 
Opening remarks by the Director of Admission, Mackie Siebens '12
10:15 am –11:15 am ET Student Classes
During this student-only session, students will break out into small-group workshops
Q&A with the President
Parents, families, and guests are welcome to join Bard College President Leon Botstein in an open question-and-answer session
11:30am – 2:00pm ET Interviews
Admission counselors will email the students they are interviewing with the online interview link and the time of the interview at least one business day before the IDP date. Each interview is about 20 to 30 minutes long
11:30am – 2:00pm ET Waiting Room
Visit the “Waiting Room” before or after your interview to chat with our tour guides, who can share their Bard experience and answer your questions

Important COVID Information

Current campus COVID protocols are subject to change based on local and national rates and cases

All COVID-19 requirements MUST be adhered to:

  • Please bring a mask with you to the event. You might be asked to wear it. 
  • In advance of the event, we ask that you kindly monitor your health. In the event you are not feeling well, we ask that you remain at home.
  • If you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or have been in close contact with a person with a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19 in the past 5-10 days, please also remain home.