To learn more about aspects of the Bard experience mentioned by our guides in their profiles, follow these links:
Academic Divisions and Programs | Study Abroad | Additional Study Opportunities | Language Intensives and Study Abroad |
Civic Engagement Opportunities
Alison (Ali) Kane
High School: The Chicago Academy for the Arts
Ali is a junior studying Theater + Performance and Architecture.
Why Bard? To Ali, Bard felt like the Midwest, where she is from. She found the students on campus friendly and welcoming. What she likes best about Bard is how each nook and cranny of the campus is completely different from the rest.
Her advice to students starting their college search is to try and figure out what they don’t like or aren’t looking for in a school. It’s sometimes easier to parse the “bad,” she says, and then what you do like will fall into place.
Jahari Fraser
High School: Cristo Rey Atlanta Jesuit High School
Jahari is a junior doing a joint major in Global + International Studies and Spanish Studies.
Jahari chose Bard because he was very interested in becoming a better writer and being active in local communities. He saw the Senior Project and Trustee Leader Scholar Program as the perfect opportunities to do so.
Jahari wants prospective students to know that the professors are great at providing academic support tailored to students’ needs throughout the four years. Also, there are no limits to what you can accomplish at Bard! If you want something, go for it. He says that he chose to be a tour guide because “I love meeting new people and answering questions about Bard! It’s a fun job that allows me to be myself while helping others find what they’re looking for.”
Jesuly Ovalles
High School: Urban Assembly School for Global Commerce
Jesuly is a junior studying Global and International Studies.
Jesuly chose Bard because she wanted a place where she was free to explore all her interests while simultaneously pursuing a degree in international relations. She chose to be a tour guide because Sponsors for Educational Opportunity, a college readiness program that she attended throughout high school, “taught me to think about those who come before and after you,” she says. “Therefore, I became a tour guide to meet and introduce prospective students to the wonderful institution that is Bard College.”
Jesuly wants prospective students to know that it is okay to be unsure about what they want to do—that Bard is the place where you can discover your interests.
Julia Gloninger
High School: Marple Newtown High School
Julia is a senior studying Environmental and Urban Studies.
What surprised Julia about Bard was the supportive atmosphere among her peers. She was expecting college to feel much more competitive. Julia chose Bard because “I liked how much support I would receive from faculty. I am constantly amazed by how much time and effort my advisers have invested in me.”
Her favorite thing about Bard is the people and her favorite place is her dorm room. She says, “I’ve really enjoyed living on campus, and I’ve loved every room I’ve stayed in.”
Katherine Skinner
High School: Lowell High School
Katherine is a senior studying dance and has moderated into the Division of the Arts.
Katherine knew that Bard had a great arts program within a rigorous liberal arts curriculum. She chose Bard because she knew she wanted to have both of these experiences in college and Bard was perfect for that. What surpises her most about Bard is the amount of secret trails that run through the woods and around campus. She loves the Fisher Center because "there is always so much going on and it's just a really fun and creative environment to be in."
Katherine wants prospective students to know that Bard is place where you can explore all kinds of interests, both within your major and outside of it. If you want to major in STEM but do theater, or play a sport and also do studio arts, that's totally possible. There's really so many options and ways to get involved.
Khoa Nguyen
High School: Edmond Memorial High School
Khoa is a junior studying Economics, with a concentration in Finance.
Khoa chose Bard because he wanted to be surrounded by students from around the world, so that he could learn from different perspectives. “Also Bard’s goals as an institution that strives to make social differences in the world,” says Khoa, “while allowing and admitting those who would otherwise not be able to attend a private institution—a place with an emphasis on need-based financial aid.”
What surprises Khoa about Bard are the types of events and programs that their colleagues are a part of, or are running, while simultaneously keeping up with their studies, heading clubs, and working outside jobs. His advice to students starting their college search is to “make sure that the institution you decide to go to is representative of you as an individual, not just whether or not they have a prestigious name or Greek life or party scene.”
Maxwell Toth
High School: Manchester High School
Maxwell is a junior studying American Studies and French Studies.
What surprises Max the most about Bard is the smorgasbord of regions that people come from. “I’ve met folks from pretty much all 50 states, and countless countries across the globe.”
Max chose Bard because he admires the liberal arts curriculum and was confident he could get what he wanted, academically, out of Bard. Additionally, he was comfortable that Bard was close to home yet far enough away (circa 90 miles, to be specific!). Max wants prospective students to know that your education is in your hands at Bard! The faculty here are more than happy to help you forge your own academic path.
Roman Peña
High School: Trevor Day School
Roman is a senior majoring in Historical Studies.
Roman chose Bard because he wanted a school that had an extremely open and supportive environment, both academically and socially. “Having close relationships with my professors is a real blessing. Also, I wanted to be a history major and still have the option to participate in classes and activities in other disciplines.” He was surprised by how large the campus was and loves being able to walk along different paths to get to class. "It is all so lovely," he says.
Roman chose to be a tour guide because he wants to help spread the message about all the good work Bard has done in the field of education, and to help people understand the value of discussion-based learning. He also wants prospective students to know that they should choose a school that is supportive, open, and addresses their needs.
Siren Chen
High School: ASIJ
Siren is a senior doing a joint major in Economics and Global + International Studies.
Siren’s favorite place at Bard is the Levy Economics Institute, located at the historic Blithewood mansion. She always feel inspired when she talks to the grad students and professors there. She usually studies in the Levy library, with its view of the Hudson River and Catskill Mountains.
Siren says her favorite thing about Bard is “when I connect with Bard alumni/ae and hear about their career experiences. Some of them double majored in Art History and Studio Arts at Bard but ended up at one of the top consulting firms in the world.” What surprises her is “that Bard taught me how to get along with myself and utilize the solitude to improve myself.”
Sophie Niles
High School: McNeil High School
Sophie is a senior doing a joint major in Psychology and Theater.
Sophie chose Bard because “it offered the freedom for me to commit to all the things I love and create a curriculum for myself.” She wanted to be a tour guide to offer assistance with the college process, knowing how difficult it can be. She also really enjoys talking about Bard, and “it humbles me to remember where I go.”
Sophie wants prospective students to know that at Bard, you get out of it what you put in. If you come here and work to make connections and enjoy your time, you’ll get just as much joy and support in return. Her advice: “Don’t pressure yourself into making a decision just to get it out of the way. You have time—take it.”
Stephon Camara
High School: Bard High School Early College Newark
Stephon is a junior studying Global and International Studies.
Stephon attended Bard High School Early College in Newark, N.J., so he came to Bard as a transfer student. What surprised him most about the College were the language intensives that allow you to study abroad at the end of a semester, for an immersive experience in a specific culture and language.
Stephon chose to be a tour guide because “I love meeting new people and sharing all the great opportunities Bard has to offer.” His advice to students starting their college search is to “be as thorough as possible when looking at colleges to apply to. Do not be afraid of asking questions!”
Zach McIntyre
High School: West Milford High School
Zach is a senior doing a double major in Computer Science and in the Bard Conservatory.
Zach chose Bard because of the Conservatory’s double-degree program—a five-year program leading to a BM in music performance or composition and a BA in a field other than music. He always knew that he wanted to do music and explore something else. He thinks Bard was and still is the perfect place for him to do so. He was surprised that a lot of Bard students don’t do just one thing! Most are involved in the arts as well as other extracurriculars.
Zach wants prospective students to know “that Bard is a malleable place. From the moment you come to Bard, you have a voice that is valued. So many of the traditions, institutions, and clubs that come to mind when we think about Bard were started by first-years!” His favorite thing about Bard is the encouraging atmosphere that he’s found here. “I have so many interests, and I’ve never once been discouraged from exploring them all!”