This program is named for Bard's neighbors, the Roosevelts of Hyde Park. Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt frequented the campus and Franklin D. Roosevelt was a trustee of the College. It was at the urging of the Roosevelts that Bard (then St. Stephen's College) became part of Columbia University, a relationship that only ended when Bard advocated for the admission of women in 1944 (Columbia followed suit four decades later in 1983).
The Bard Entrance Exam for Early Admission invites applicants to write two five-page essays in response to their choice of two out of four questions. The exam is available now (see link below). Workshops taught by Bard faculty introducing students to the primary materials referenced in each of the questions will be offered to Entrance Exam applicants throughout April. Along with submitting the Entrance Exam, applicants must also submit a personal statement, letter of nomination from a guidance counselor or teacher, and a high school transcript. Applications are due on April 30.
(Students can go in out of the exam and the work will be saved.)
Bard faculty will grade the essays in early May. Students pass the exam by achieving a B+ average or higher across the two papers, and pending review of supplemental materials, will be admitted to the College. Those who are not offered admission based on their essays are invited to apply next cycle through the Common Application.
Applicants will be notified of our admission decisions by mid-May. Admitted students must reply to our offer of admission by June 1.
Workshops Offered Introducing Students to Primary Materials Referenced in Entrance Exam Questions
These Workshops Are Taught by Bard Faculty Throughout the Month of April
There will be four online workshops, and each one will be cover one of the four questions on the Bard Entrance Exam. When you register for one of the workshops, you will be notified of the required reading, listening or observing that you will need to do prior to the workshop.
These workshops are offered on a first-come-first-served basis.
Workshop 1 with Professor Simon Gilhooley
Tuesday, April 13
4:00 – 5:00 pm ET
Register here
Required reading before the workshop corresponds to Question 1 on the Bard Entrance Exam
(Links to the sources will be emailed to you when you register.)
Workshop 2 with Professor Erica Kaufman
Wednesday, April 14
4:00 - 5:00 pm ET
Register here
Required reading/listening before the workshop corresponds to Question 2 in the Bard Entrance Exam.
(Links to the sources will be emailed to you when you register.)
Workshop 3 with Professor David Shein
Monday, April 19
4:00 - 5:00 pm ET
Register here
Required reading before the workshop corresponds to Question 3 in the Bard Entrance Exam.
(Links to the sources will be emailed to you when you register.)
Workshop 4 with Professor Celia Bland
Wednesday, April 28
4:00 - 5:00 pm ET
Register here
Required observing before the workshop is an excerpt in Question 4 in the Bard Entrance Exam.
(Links to the sources will be emailed to you when you register.)
Bard is Uniquely Positioned to Support High School-Aged Students Who Enter College Early
As a pioneer in early college programs, Bard believes in the ability of younger students to engage with rigorous college coursework and currently enrolls 3,000 early college students in a network of eight Bard High School Early Colleges across the United States. Research has demonstrated that taking college courses during high school, and participating in an early college high school specifically, significantly increases students’ likelihood of enrolling in postsecondary education and completing degrees.
Note About COVID-19 and Remote Learning
The first Roosevelt Scholars entered Bard College in Fall 2021, where they joined the other members of the class of 2024. While the College conducted some classes on-line, the vast majority were held in person. Through the diligent efforts of our COVID Response Team and the cooperation of the entire Bard community, the 2020-2021 academic year has been a great success with very few cases of COVID-19 on campus. For more information on our efforts during the pandemic, see our COVID-19 Response website.