Photo by Pete Mauney ’93 MFA ’00

First-Year Applicants

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.

Application Methods

Using the Common Application or Coalition with Scoir candidates may apply to Bard through: Early Action · Early Decision I · Early Decision II · Regular Decision · The Immediate Decision Plan. You may also apply using an alternative application method called the Bard Entrance Exam.

At Bard College, we believe that the ability to pay should never determine a student's access to a world-class education. We meet full demonstrated need (Tuition, Food and Housing, First Year Academic Programming if applicable and Required Fees) for all early round admitted students and work closely with families to make Bard affordable—without compromising on the academic and creative freedom that defines us.

Dates and Deadlines for November Applicants

Early Action, Early Decision, Immediate Decision Plan, Bard Entrance Exam

Nov. 1	Early Applications Due Early Action, Early Decision I, Immediate Decision Plan, Bard Entrance Exam Early Action is for highly qualified candidates for whom Bard is a top choice may opt to use the non-binding Early Action process. Early Decision I is for highly qualified candidates for whom Bard is the top choice may opt to use this binding Early Decision process. The Immediate Decision Plan (IDP) is for the accomplished student with Bard as their top choice. Students receive an admission decision 48 hours after participating. The Bard Entrance Examination is an online essay exam open only to high school juniors and seniors and does not require the submission of the Common Application or Coalition with Scoir.
Nov. 1	Scholarship Applications Bard College Scholarship Applications Due (optional and if applicable)
Nov. 1	Financial Aid Application Due for Immediate Decision Plan (IDP) Applicants Requirements for IDP Financial Aid The College Board's College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS Profile) must be filed by this date in order for eligible students to receive a financial aid package alongside their admission decision. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be completed as soon as it becomes available in December, and no later than February 1, 2024. International students applying via the Immediate Decision Plan must submit the Bard International Student Financial Aid Application (BISFAA)
Nov. 1	Financial Aid for International Early Applicants International students applying for Financial Aid via Early Applications The Bard International Student Financial Aid Application Form (BISFAA) must be filed by this date in order for eligible students to receive a financial aid package alongside their admission decision.
Dec. 1	Financial Aid for U.S. Early Application Instructions for U.S Citizens Applying for Financial Aid via Early Applications The College Board's College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS Profile) must be filed by this date in order for eligible students to receive a financial aid package alongside their admission decision. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be completed as soon as it becomes available in December, and no later than February 1, 2024.
Mid Dec.	Early Application Decisions Instructions for Early Application Decision Notifications Decision Notification for Students applying via one of the Early Action, Early Decision I, or the Bard Exam will receive their decision notifications in mid-December. Student who apply via IDP will receive their decision notification on the next business day after IDP date in November. Early Decision II Students should see the Regular Decision notification date.
Flex	Deposit Due Early Decision I /Early I IDP Students applying Early Decision I and Early Decision I IDP deposits are due within a month after receipt of decision and/or financial aid package
May 1	Deposits for Early Action and Bard Exam Students applying Early Action, early Action IDP, or Bard Entrance Exam

Dates and Deadlines for January 15 Applicants

Regular Decision and Early Decision II

Jan. 15	Early Decision II and Regular Decision Applications Due
Jan. 15	Bard College Scholarship Applications Due (optional and if applicable) For more information see Bard Financial Aid Programs
Jan. 15	Equity and Inclusion Scholarship Applications* Due (optional and if applicable) Click here to register for the Equity and Inclusion Scholarship Expand * 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.
Jan. 15	Financial Aid Application Deadline for International students applying via Early Decision II and Regular Decision Expand The Bard International Student Financial Aid Application Form (BISFAA) must be filed by this date in order for eligible students to receive a financial aid package alongside their admission decision.
Feb. 1	Financial Aid Application Deadline for US Citizens applying via Early Decision II and Regular Decision Financial Aid Applications: FAFSA and CSS Profile
Feb.	Decision Notification for Early Decision II
Mar. (late)	Decision Notification for Regular Decision
Flex.	Deposit Due for Early Decision II Within a month after receipt of decision and/or financial aid package
May 1	Deposit Due for Regular Decision

Application Checklist

Required Materials

Application using the Common Application or Coalition with Scoir.
Two Letters of Recommendation (We prefer that one recommendation come from a guidance or college counselor and one from an English, Humanities, Math or Science instructor*)
School Report
High School transcript (Include mid-year senior grades if available at the time you apply).

*Letters of Recommendation: For those without a higher education counselor, this letter of recommendation can come from another teacher or an advisor, administrator, coach, or employer.

Optional Materials

Why Bard? A short reflection, about 250 words, in the student's own voice on why Bard is on their list. It might be a specific program or something harder to put into words. We're most interested in genuine reasons, written the way they'd say them.
SAT or ACT Scores: Bard has been test optional for over 50 years, so scores are never required. Send them only if you feel they accurately reflect your academic abilities. Students who don’t submit scores are not penalized in any way. Click below to learn more.
Portfolios and Awards Supplemental materials are not required for admission to Bard. Click below to learn more about how to submit materials.

Bard Portal Information: Must Read!

Once we receive your application (24–48 hours after submission), you will receive an email with credentials to your Bard Portal.

All application materials should be submitted through the Bard Admission Portal and by the deadlines indicated. Do not mail or email any materials directly to the Admission Office unless instructed to do so. Please read the following instructions on using the Bard portal thoroughly and completely.

Bard Portal Information: Must Read!

Once you submit your Common Application or Coalition with Scoir, it may take 24 to 48 hours for us to confirm receipt of your application. Once we receive your application (generally 24–48 hours after submission), you will be emailed a confirmation that includes the credentials to access your Bard Portal.

If you submit your application on the deadline date but still have required materials to submit, please note that you will have 5 days to upload those application materials after that deadline date as long as your 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.

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 Bardian Checklist Tab will display your personalized Bardian checklist with all of the items you'll need to complete prior to your arrival. 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 application to Bard College.

Visit the Financial Aid Website →

Conversations with an Admission Representative

If you are looking for an interview, this is how we do it Bard style.

This is an optional, informal conversation with an Admission representative (about 20–30 minutes) for first-year applicants. It’s a chance for you to learn more about life at Bard—academics, community, and resources—and, if you wish, to share brief context you’d like us to keep in mind when we review your application (for example: course changes, family responsibilities, grade trends, or time away from school). There’s nothing to prepare; just bring your questions. Choosing not to schedule a conversation will not disadvantage your application.

Note: In-person conversations are led by trained Student Ambassadors. If you prefer to speak with a Admission Counselor, please select a virtual conversation.

Conversation Dates & Deadlines
Early Action, Early Decision I, and Bard Entrance Exam: September 8 – October 30
Regular Decision and Early Decision II: September 8 – January 29

Sign up for a Conversation

Any Questions?

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

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?

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.
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
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.
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

Discover More

Language and Thinking

All first year students participate in a common curriculum: the Language and Thinking Program, and the First-Year Seminar. 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.

Academics at Bard
Campus Life