Main Image for Transfer Applicants

Transfer Applicants

Photo by Pete Mauney ’93 MFA ’00
Am I a Transfer Student?
A transfer student is defined as one who has officially matriculated into a degree program (associate’s or bachelor’s) at an accredited junior college, college, or university, and completed at least one semester (12 or more transferrable credits as determined by the Registrar) at that institution. Candidates who have taken college classes without being admitted into an institution's degree program are considered incoming first-year students, not transfer students. Bard also accepts international transfer students; the application requirements differ from those of domestic transfer students. Transfer students who are 24 years or older should apply directly to Bard's Returning to College Program (RCP). If you have any questions, please reach out to Josh Tyler, Director of Transfer Admission, at jtyler@bard.edu.
Transfer Orientation
Photo by Pete Mauney ’93 MFA ’00

Transfer Orientation

Transfer students enrolling at Bard must complete an orientation program:

  • Fall transfer students complete the Writing Knowledge Program, a two-week orientation and workshop in August.
  • Spring transfer students complete Language and Thinking in January and Citizen Science the following January.
Transfer students with fewer than 28 transferable credits:
All transfer students (fall or spring) with fewer than 28 transferable credits must also complete one semester of First-Year Seminar during their first semester enrolled at the College.

Housing Requirements and Eligibility

Students with first- or second-year status must live on campus. Students with third- or fourth-year status are not required to live on campus. Return to College (RCP) students and Bard Baccalaureate (BardBac) students are not eligible for on-campus housing.

Transfer Credit

Transfer Credit

A student transferring from an accredited institution usually receives full credit for work completed with a grade of C or better in courses appropriate to the Bard curriculum. Specifically, no transfer credit will be given for courses that are dissimilar from those offered at Bard. For example, “fashion design” per se is not offered at Bard, therefore the Registrar's Office would not grant transfer credit for a fashion-design class. Also, credits will not transfer from online or distance learning classes, nor will they transfer from college algebra or lower level math courses. Regardless of course credit eligibility, a maximum of 64 transfer credits can be granted. Transfer students must complete a minimum of 64 credits at Bard, for a total of 128, in order to receive a Bard degree. Transfer credits for online classes are not accepted at Bard College.

Dates and Deadlines

SPRING TRANSFER: FALL TRANSFER:
Regular Admission Due November 1 March 1
Bard College Aid Scholarship Applications Due (optional and if applicable) November 1 March 1
Financial Aid Due November 1 March 1
Decision Notification December 2 Late March
Deposit Due December 16 May 1

Application Options

  • Transfer Application Options
    Transfer students may not apply to Bard through Early Action, Early Decision, Immediate Decision Plan, or the Bard Entrance Exam, but must apply Regular Admission. Application due dates also differ for transfer students (see "Dates and Deadlines" above).
  • Return to College Program (RCP)
    If you are 24 years or older and have at least one semester's worth of college credits (12-16 credits) from a previous higher education program that can be transferred to Bard College, then you can apply through Bard's Return to College Program (RCP).
  • Bard Early College Opportunity and Preferred Admission Programs
    Bard High School Early College graduates who choose to apply to Bard College's main campus now have the opportunity to apply to the Preferred Admission and Early College Opportunity scholarship (ECO) programs.
  • Community College Pathways
    If you are interested in applying to Bard from a local community college, Bard has partnered with community colleges in the Hudson Valley.

Attention, Simon’s Rock Students:

Students applying from Bard College at Simon's Rock are required to complete the Common Application as a transfer student. 

Bard College at Simon's Rock's policy is that students must be at Simon's Rock for at least two years before applying to Bard College in Annandale. 

U.S. Citizens

Application Checklist for U.S. Citizens

Transfer Students

Required materials:

  • Apply using the Common Application.
  • The College Report and college transcript are also required. A high school transcript is required unless the candidate will have completed an associate’s degree by the time of matriculation at Bard.
  • Both academic recommendations should come from college faculty. However, for those who have completed only one or two college semesters in circumstances where the classes have been large and contact with professors minimal, we will accept high school faculty recommendations.
  • Artistic supplements are required for all transfer candidates seeking admission to the Photography Program. (Please click on the link below for artistic supplement details for this program.)

Photography Supplemental Requirements

Non-U.S. Citizens

Application Checklist for Non-U.S. Citizens

Transfer Students

Required materials:

  • Apply using the Common Application.
  • The College Report and college transcript are also required. A high school transcript is required unless the candidate will have completed an associate’s degree by the time of matriculation at Bard.
  • Both academic recommendations should come from college faculty. However, for those who have completed only one or two college semesters in circumstances where the classes have been large and contact with professors minimal, we will accept high school faculty recommendations.
  • TOEFL  exam or IELTS exam or Duolingo English Test  (For English proficiency requirements, see below.) All international applicants who speak a foreign language other than English as their primary language must submit a completed TOEFL exam or IELTS exam or Duolingo English Test. 
  • Artistic supplements are required for all transfer candidates seeking admission to the Photography Program. (Please click on the link below for artistic supplement details for this program.)

Optional materials:

Photography Supplemental Requirements

English Language Test Waiver Information

If you are an international student and believe you are eligible for an English Language Test Waiver, you will have access to a waiver form on your Bard portal after you submit your application to Bard College. Admission will review your  waiver form and, if you meet the criteria, the Admission committee will waive the English Language Test requirement, and will notify you of their decision. 

MUST READ: Bard Portal Information

Please do not mail or email any application 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.


Interviews (In-Person and Virtual)

Interviews are recommended for transfer applicants.

Interview Options and Requirements

  • Interview Deadlines and Options
    Only students applying in the current admission cycle are eligible for an interview.
    We do not require interviews for transfer applicants but we do recommend them. We require interviews for Return-to-College (RCP) applicants.

    Please register for a time and date that works for you. Take note that interview deadlines are based upon whether you are a transfer student applying for either the spring or fall semester.

    Interview Deadlines: 
    • Spring transfer interviews must be conducted by October 22, 2021.
    • Fall transfer interviews will be conducted in February 2022. The interview registration link will be posted in January 2022.
    Interview Options: 
    There are both in-person and virtual interview options on interview days. 
  • IN-PERSON INTERVIEW REQUIREMENTS
    All requirements MUST be adhered to:
    • You must wear a mask when entering the Admissions building.
    • You must provide proof of COVID-19 Vaccination.
    • If you do not feel well, please stay at home and alert the Admission Office about your change in plans.
    • Please follow New York State Health and Safety Guidelines found here, during your visit.
    Acceptable Proof of Vaccination:
    • Official vaccination card with the last shot being at least two weeks prior to your visit
    • NY Excelsior Pass App with vaccination record
    Register for an Interview

Applying for Financial Aid?

Required Financial Aid Forms for Bard College

Financial aid and scholarships based on need are available. 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
Domestic and international students for the spring semester: November 1
Domestic and international students for the fall semester: March 1
 

Any Questions?

Please click the questions below for answers to the most common questions asked about applying to Bard as a transfer student.

  • If I'm currently in a dual-enrollment program, how do I apply?
  • What kind of housing is available for transfer students?
  • What does it mean to be waitlisted?
  • Do I have to resubmit an application if I've already applied in the past?