First-Year Applicants

Photo by Pete Mauney ’93 MFA ’00

Photo by Pete Mauney '93 MFA '00

What Do We Look for in an Applicant?

Typically, Bard students have prepared for college by taking honors or advanced placement courses in a curriculum that includes four years of English, social studies, mathematics, laboratory science, and a foreign language. Yet admission to Bard takes into account your whole story. We welcome ambitious, independent thinkers and look closely at each part of your application. Bard presents extraordinary opportunities for students to thrive and achieve, and seeks students who will take full advantage of all that the Bard community has to offer.

Applying Through the Common Application or the Bard Entrance Exam

Through the Common App you can choose to apply by Early Action, Early Decision, Immediate Decision Plan, or Regular Decision.

If you are applying through the Bard Entrance Exam, please go here.

Dates and Deadlines

Early Applications Due Early Action, Early Decision, Immediate Decision Plan, Bard Entrance Exam	Nov. 1
Bard College Aid Scholarship Applications Due (optional and if applicable):	Nov. 1
Immediate Decision Plan (IDP) Applicants: Financial aid forms for all IDP applicants to receive early notification of the financial aid estimate are due by this date.	Nov. 1
Financial Aid Application Due for Early Applications (FAFSA and CSS Profile) FAFSA and CSS Profile must be filed by all Early Decision applicants by this date.	Dec. 1
Decision Notification for Early Applications (IDP applicants receive decision notification on the next business day after IDP date in November.)	Mid December
Deposit Due: Early Decision, Early Decision 2-Immediate Decision Plan	Within a month after receipt of decision and/or financial aid package
Deposit Due: Early Action, Early Action 2-Immediate Decision Plan, Bard Entrance Exam	May 1

Regular Decision Application Due:	Jan. 1
Bard College Aid Scholarship Applications Due (optional and if applicable):	Jan. 1
*Equity and Inclusion Scholarship Applications Due** (optional and if applicable):	Jan. 1
Financial Aid Application Due: (FAFSA and CSS Profile)	Feb. 1
Decision Notification:	Late March
Deposit Due:	May 1

* This scholarship form is to be completed if a student qualifies for one of the following: Bard's High School Early College Opportunity (ECO) program; the New York State Higher Education Opportunity (HEOP) program; or Bard's Opportunity (BOP) program. More information about these programs can be found within the scholarship form or on the Office of Equity and Inclusion website.

Bard allows students admitted via the Early Decision binding process to take one gap year. Students may make this selection by responding to their offer of admission on their Bard portal. Students must still withdraw their applications from other institutions should they be admitted to Bard via the ED application.

Please note that if you are 24 years or older, or will be turning 24 during your first year at Bard, you are not eligible to apply to the College as a first-year applicant. You may apply as a transfer candidate through our Returning to College Program; this requires that students have at least one semester's worth of college credits (12 or more credits) from a previous higher education program that can be transferred to Bard College.

NOTE: Candidates who are placed on the wait list are invited to submit supplemental information. Those who are not offered admission are usually required to wait a full academic year before reapplying.

Application Checklist

Required Materials

Apply using the Common Application.
Teacher recommendations: We prefer that one recommendation come from an English or humanities instructor and one from a math or science instructor.
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.
School Report
High School transcript (Include mid-year senior grades if available at the time you apply.)
Students who submit their application by the application deadline have a grace period of 5 days from the deadline to submit supplemental materials such as portfolio materials or to encourage teachers and counselors to submit their recommendation letters.

Optional Materials

Standardized Testing We do not require SAT/ACT scores, but if you submit your scores we will consider them in making our admission decision. (Bard's CEEB code is 2037.)
- Bard College has been test-optional for nearly 50 years. You do not need to take the SAT or ACT to apply to Bard.
  SAT and ACT scores should only be submitted if a student feels that their scores are an accurate reflection of their academic abilities. Submitted SAT and ACT scores are only used to inform our review process in a very small fraction of applications that include SAT or ACT scores. Students who do not submit their SAT or ACT scores are not penalized in any way during the application review process. Bard does not require students to send official reports of their SAT or ACT scores. Students may self-report scores by including their scores in the Testing section of their Common Application or by uploading a copy of their score report to their Bard portal. For more information about our test-optional policy, please reach out to the Office of Admission at [email protected] or 845- 758-7472.
Portfolios and Awards Supplemental materials are not required for admission to Bard. Click below to learn more about how to submit materials.

MUST READ: Bard Portal Information

Once you submit your Common Application, it may take 24-48 hours for us to confirm receipt of your application. Once we receive your application, you will be emailed a confirmation which includes the credentials to access your Bard Portal.

If you submit your Common Application on the deadline date but still have required materials to submit, please note that you will have time to upload those application materials after that deadline date as long as your Common Application has been submitted. It is important, however, that you submit those final materials as soon as possible after the deadline has passed as the admission committee cannot read incomplete applications.

Please do not mail or email any materials directly to the Admission Office unless instructed to do so. Use your Bard Portal and go to your Application Tab to upload and view submitted materials.

Please make a habit of visiting your Bard portal frequently to view your application and financial aid checklists and confirm that we have received all of the materials required to complete your application. We will also be posting information on your portal throughout the admission cycle so it is important to check your portal regularly.

MUST READ: Bard Portal Information

Submit your application materials to Bard College:

As an applicant, you will receive a login and a link to your Bard Portal. (Note: It may take 24-48 hours for us to confirm receipt of your application, after which you will receive a login and a link to your Bard Portal.) That portal gives you access to many tabs, one of which is your Application Tab where you will see your Application Checklist. Review your Application Checklist periodically to see if there are missing application materials. Upload all materials, including any supplemental materials you wish to share with us, to your Bard Portal. File formats we accept are listed on your Bard portal.
- Transcripts and recommendations submitted by your counselors and teachers will eventually appear with a green checkmark on your Application Checklist as they are received. If your transcripts and recommendations do not appear in your Application Checklist after you've requested them to be sent to Bard, please follow-up with your counselor, teachers and/or your school office. Please note that applicants must not upload any recommendation letters themselves as these must remain confidential and should be sent to Bard by the recommenders directly. We will also notify you, via email, if there are any missing materials.

Check your financial aid materials:

If you are applying for financial aid, once you've submitted all the required materials, go to the Financial Aid Tab in your portal to confirm that they have been received and to see if there are any missing materials. (Note: It can take from 48 hours to 3-5 days, depending on the form being submitted, before a green check mark appears next to each of the respective forms.)

View admission decisions and notifications:

You will receive an email from Admission stating that there has been an update to your Bard Portal. Log in to your portal and click on your Dashboard Tab where all decision letters and correspondences from the College are displayed.
Offers of Admission can be accepted, declined, or deferred, within the Bard portal. Enrollment deposits can be made using a credit card, or you can indicate that your payment is forthcoming via a check or money order.

View events:

Any events hosted by the Office of Admission will be displayed in an Event Tab on your portal.

Here's what displays on your portal after you enroll at Bard:

Once your enrollment deposit is processed, within a week, your Bard Portal will display new tabs. The Enrollment Tab will display your personalized enrollment checklist. There will also be a Special Admitted Events Tab.

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 Common Application to Bard College.

Deadlines for Submitting Financial Aid Forms

Non-U.S citizens who are applying through early application options: November 1
- NOTE for Immediate Decision Plan (IDP) Applicants: November 1 is the deadline for financial aid forms for all IDP applicants (U.S. and Non-U.S. citizens) to receive early notification of the financial aid estimate.

U.S. citizens applying through all other early application options (Bard Entrance Exam, Early Action, Early Decision): December 1

Non-U.S. citizens who are applying through the regular decision option: January 1

U.S. citizens who are applying through the regular decision option: February 1

Financial Aid Website

Interviews (in-person and virtual)

Interviews for First-Year Students Are Optional at Bard

Interview Options and Requirements

Interview Deadlines and Options
Only students applying in the current admission cycle are eligible for an interview.

Interview Deadlines:
- Early Action, Early Decision, and Bard Entrance Exam interviews: weekdays from September 5 through October 21, 2022
- Regular Decision interviews: weekdays from September 5 through October 21, 2022
Interview Options:
Both in-person and virtual interview options. We encourage students who live within driving or a train-ride distance to campus to take advantage of the in-person options and leave the virtual slots for students who can't travel due to distance from campus, among other reasons.
REGISTER HERE
In-Person Interview Requirements
All COVID-19 requirements MUST be adhered to:
- Please bring a mask with you to this event. You do not need to wear your mask to enter the admission building when you arrive but you might be asked to wear it at specific points during your visit.
- In advance of your interview at Bard College, we ask that you kindly monitor your current health. In the event you are not feeling well, we ask that you remain at home and reschedule your visit for another time.
- 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.

Any Questions?

Please click the questions below for answers to the most common questions asked about applying to Bard.

Can I apply to Bard before I've completed high school?

Can I apply to Bard before I've completed high school?

Yes. Candidates seeking admission before completing secondary school may be accepted if they have a strong high school record and the recommendation of a guidance counselor or principal. They must interview with an admission counselor and follow the Regular Admission process. Please contact us for more information.
What is Bard's policy on advanced standing and college AP credits?

What is Bard's policy on advanced standing and college AP credits?

Advanced standing or college credit for College Board Advanced Placement (AP) courses will be given for a grade of 5. Students who wish to request credit or advanced standing must submit the appropriate record of their grade to the Office of the Registrar.

The following international diplomas may be accepted for advanced standing: International Baccalaureate, French Baccalaureate, Swiss Maturity, and German Abitur. A student may be allowed to accelerate for up to 32 credits (a normal full year) at the time of Moderation if the Moderation Board so recommends. Students who have earned A-level passes may enter with advanced standing. To be eligible for credit, IB students must score 5 or above in individual subjects. A-level students must have an A or A* to receive credit.

Any questions regarding exact transfer of advanced credit should be made after you have received an admission decision and directed to Peter Gadsby, the registrar ([email protected]).
If I'm currently in a dual-enrollment program, how do I apply?

If I'm currently in a dual-enrollment program, how do I apply?

Credits from college classes taken during high school will transfer to Bard if the college/university provides a transcript and if the student earns a grade of C or higher in classes similar to ones offered at Bard. Students participating in dual enrollment programs who expect to complete their associate’s degrees at the time of high school graduation should apply to Bard as transfer candidates. However, some colleges and universities do not accept these college credits and expect these students to apply as first-years. Since students can only submit one Common Application (either first-year or transfer), if they choose to apply to Bard as first-years, we will shift their applications to transfer status.
Equity and Inclusion Website

What are the Equity and Inclusion Programs?

The Office of Equity and Inclusion is the administrative home to the Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) and the Bard Opportunity Program (BOP), among others, and offers scholarships to high-achieving, low-income scholars from all 50 states. These scholarships provide support to students who have experienced educational and financial inequalities and who possess the desire, potential, and work ethic necessary to succeed in a liberal arts college environment.

The HEOP Scholarship is for New York State residents only while the BOP Scholarship is a nationwide initiative—students from all 50 states are encouraged to apply.

To be considered for any of these scholarships, you must apply to Bard College and also submit the Equity and Inclusion supplemental form.

Equity and Inclusion Website
What is the Bard Entrance Examination?
What is the Bard Entrance Examination?

The Bard Entrance Examination is an online essay test open to high school juniors and seniors. Completion of the test is equivalent to an application for admission.

Application Checklist
Required materials once you have completed and passed the Bard Entrance Examination (B+ or higher):
- An official high school transcript (Homeschooled students may submit documentation of their curriculum in lieu of a transcript.)
- A general reference letter from a high school counselor or another appropriate school official.
Bard Entrance Exam Information
How do I apply if I was homeschooled?
How do I apply if I was homeschooled?

Bard regularly receives applications from students who have been homeschooled for some or all of their education. Since their experiences and curriculum vary tremendously, our requirements for homeschooled applicants differ somewhat from our requirements for more traditional high school students.

It is hard to standardize these requirements, and we are willing to work with you to tailor the admission process. We recommend homeschooled students provide the following:
- The full curriculum and documentation as to how the curriculum was met.
- Names of textbooks or other books used and the content covered.
- Indication of other experiences used to cover the curriculum and how the student was evaluated.
- Results of any educational testing.
- Grades from any courses taken.
- Standardized test scores (SAT or ACT, optional SAT II).
- An analytic paper.
- Academic recommendations from non-parent adults who have worked with you: two required; English, science, or mathematics preferred.
- An essay explaining why you chose homeschooling and your experience with your choice.
- We strongly recommend a personal interview. Skype interviews available.
What does it mean to be deferred to Regular Decision or waitlisted?

What does it mean to be deferred to Regular Decision or waitlisted?

Deferred to Regular Admission?

If you have applied through one of the Early Application Options: Early Action, Early Decision, or through Bard's Immediate Decision Plan (IDP), the Admission Committee has three options: accept, deny, or defer to Regular Decision. If you are deferred to Regular Decision, your early application has been shifted to our Regular Decision pool of candidates (i.e., those who apply by January 1) and you will receive an admission decision at the end of March. In most cases, applicants are deferred to Regular Admission because the Admission Committee wants to see midyear senior grades (first semester, or first and/or second trimester) before making a decision. Being deferred to Regular Decision is not an acceptance or denial decision; the Committee is postponing making a decision until it receives senior year data.

Waitlisted?

It means that you are in a holding pattern in terms of an admission decision. Because the final outcome of your waitlisted status cannot be predicted, you should ensure that you have a place for yourself in the fall by meeting the deposit deadline at another institution. If you are offered admission, you will be notified by e-mail to check your Applicant Portal. You should be prepared to accept or decline our offer within two weeks. If you applied for financial aid, you will receive a financial aid package within 10 days after notification.

Typically, admission from Bard’s active waitlist is offered beginning early May through mid-July. We do not rank our waitlist and the number of students admitted varies from year to year. By August 1, however, admission from the waitlist will be concluded and we will notify all remaining students.
Do I have to resubmit an application if I've already applied in the past?

Do I have to resubmit an application if I've already applied in the past?

All applicants must submit an application for the current application year, including students who have previously applied to the College. Students who have applied within the past 2 years may request to have previously submitted recommendations, transcripts, or supplemental materials transferred to their new application by submitting this request form to the Office of Admission when they re-apply. Email [email protected] if you no longer have your applicant portal login information; this is what you will use to submit your request form.

Note: If you already have a Common Application account, you may want to use account rollover to re-submit your application. See Common Application Rollover

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Language and Thinking

All first-year students participate in a common curriculum: the Language and Thinking Program, First-Year Seminar, and Citizen Science. The first year at Bard begins with Language and Thinking, a three-week intensive introduction to the liberal arts and sciences with a particular focus on writing.

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First-Year Applicants

What Do We Look for in an Applicant?

Applying Through the Common Application or the Bard Entrance Exam

Dates and Deadlines

Application Checklist

Required Materials

Optional Materials

Optional Materials

MUST READ: Bard Portal Information

MUST READ: Bard Portal Information

Applying for Financial Aid?

Required Financial Aid Forms for Bard College

Interviews (in-person and virtual)

Interview Options and Requirements

Any Questions?

Can I apply to Bard before I've completed high school?

What is Bard's policy on advanced standing and college AP credits?

If I'm currently in a dual-enrollment program, how do I apply?

What are the Equity and Inclusion Programs?

What is the Bard Entrance Examination?

How do I apply if I was homeschooled?

What does it mean to be deferred to Regular Decision or waitlisted?

Do I have to resubmit an application if I've already applied in the past?

Discover More

Language and Thinking

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