COVID-19 Proof of Vaccination Required
Bard is a fully vaccinated campus as per CDC guidelines for a fully vaccinated campus (over 99% of the Bard community is fully vaccinated). As a fully vaccinated campus, with additional proof of vaccine requirements and stringent protocols for visitors, we are able to minimize the likelihood of potential COVID exposure in the Bard community, and we have also greatly reduced the likelihood that anyone on campus will suffer serious illness due to COVID.
Therefore, during the registration process, all students (and their guests) must submit proof of COVID-19 vaccination. A pdf file or photo of your COVID-19 proof of vaccination document can be uploaded to the registration form itself. If proof of vaccination is approved for the student and their guests (all prospective students are allowed to invite up to two guests to IDP), they will then be emailed registration confirmation to attend IDP. The College will not allow any visitor on campus for IDP who has not been approved to come to campus through the proof of vaccination process, and will have any such visitor escorted off campus.
Attendees must bring a mask with them to this event, as you may be required to wear it at times during this event. Health and Safety protocols are constantly changing. You will be advised of current protocols prior to IDP.
Precautionary measures for children under 12 years of age:
Because children under 12 are not yet eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations, they are only permitted outdoors when visiting Bard campus. Please note that Bard's IDP events take place inside buildings on campus. As a result, it is recommended that they do not attend
this event.
IDP Will Have Both In-Person and Virtual Options in 2021
2021 In-Person IDP Dates:
Fridays: November 5 and November 19
Saturdays: November 6 and November 20
2021 Virtual IDP Dates:
Friday, November 12; Saturday, November 13
Please only choose the virtual option if you are unable to travel to campus. If you choose a virtual option, please note that the virtual option on Friday, November 12 is an afternoon start time, and the virtual option on Saturday, November 13 is a morning start time. These are designed to accommodate students living in different time zones. Please be considerate when choosing your virtual option.
- Due by November 1: Your completed* Common Application must be submitted to the Admission Office in order to be considered for IDP. Please select one of these two choices as your admission plan on the Common Application:
- Early Action II - Immediate Decision (non-binding)
- Early Decision II - Immediate Decision (binding)
- The Common Application
- Two letters of recommendation from teachers*
- In addition to the two letters of recommendation from teachers, a third letter of recommendation is required. This recommendation must come from a higher education counselor for students who have access to a college counseling office. For those without a higher education counselor, this letter of recommendation can come from another teacher or an advisor, administrator, coach or employer.
- The school report
- Current transcript
- Students must register for an IDP date. Students can register for an IDP date before submitting a complete application to Bard.
- IDP registrants must complete readings in advance of their IDP date. The class is an important part of IDP. Applicants MUST attend the class and discuss the associated readings in order to get a clear sense of what a Bard class is like. This class is not graded and does not factor into the admission process - its purpose is to provide IDP applicants with an authentic Bard College experience!
- Your IDP day includes an interview so there is no need for you to schedule an interview on your own.
- Admission Committee decisions are posted to your Bard Portal the next business day after your IDP appointment, regardless of whether you choose to make the process binding or non-binding. (You will be notified via email that there has been an update to your portal. Login to your portal to see our decision notification.)
Readings for the Classes
Bard faculty will be leading the workshops, which are modeled on Bard’s First-Year Seminar. In order to have dynamic discussions during the workshop, students are encouraged to complete these readings in advance. Take a look at the readings below.
These workshops are for prospective students only. Parents and families are encouraged to join the Q&A at that time.
Remember, these classes are not graded and are not considered in your application. The class experience has been created especially for you so you can gain a better sense of what it feels like to be a student at Bard College.
In-Person and Virtual Immediate Decision Plan Registration
In-Person IDP Schedules
Schedule of Events for In-Person IDP: Fridays
Check-In is at Hopson Cottage (Office of Admission). While students are participating in the IDP application process, parents, families, and guests are invited to join President Leon Botstein or the Dean of the College for a Q&A.
Schedule of Events for In-Person IDP: Saturdays
Check-In is at the Reem-Kayden Center (RKC). While students are participating in the IDP application process, parents, families, and guests are invited to join President Leon Botstein or the Dean of the College for a Q&A.
Virtual IDP Schedules
Schedule of Events for Virtual IDP: Friday Afternoon
Virtual IDP dates: Please only choose the virtual option if you are unable to travel to campus.
While students are participating in the IDP application process, parents, families, and guests are invited to join President Leon Botstein or the Dean of the College for a virtual Q&A. We also invite you to our virtual “Waiting Room” while the students are interviewing with admission counselors. (Students, we invite you to this chat session either before or after your interview.) Tour guides will be ready to talk to you, answer questions, and tell you what it’s like being a student at Bard. Enjoy the day!
Schedule of Events for Virtual IDP: Saturday Morning
Virtual IDP Dates: Please only choose the virtual option if you are unable to travel to campus.
While students are participating in the IDP application process, parents, families, and guests are invited to join President Leon Botstein or the Dean of the College for a virtual Q&A. We also invite you to our virtual “Waiting Room” while the students are interviewing with admission counselors. (Students, we invite you to this chat session either before or after your interview.) Tour guides will be ready to talk to you, answer questions, and tell you what it’s like being a student at Bard. Enjoy the day!