Because the Conservatory undergraduate program is a double-degree program, applicants will receive two separate decision letters: one letter will come from the Conservatory admissions office, and one will come from the College admissions office. You will be able to view each letter online by accessing your student portal. Each letter will inform you as to whether or not you have been admitted, wait-listed, or denied. Applicants who are not admitted to the College may not attend the Conservatory. Applicants who are admitted to the College, but not the Conservatory, will be able to enroll in the College and participate in music through the Bachelor of Arts music program.
Important Dates and Deadlines
January 1: Both applications and all materials for first-year applicants are due.
Mid-January: Prescreening notifications will be emailed to all applicants.
End of February, beginning of March: Final auditions are held at Bard College.*
Mid-March: Final admissions decisions and financial aid packages will be released.
May 1: Enrollment deadline
*Due to COVID-19, it is likely that all final auditions will be held via recording and virtual interview. Please continue to check our website for updates regarding the final audition process.
Conservatory Majors
Bard Conservatory offers a bachelor of music degree in performance or composition. Through our US-China Music Institute in partnership with the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing, we offer training in traditional Chinese instruments. Beginning in fall 2021, the Conservatory will offer classical vocal performance at the undergraduate level. (Note: the conducting degree is offered only at the graduate level.)