Undergraduate Program
A bassist in formal wear smiles onstage.

Ways to Apply

Undergraduate Double Degree Program

Two Degrees, Two Applications

Applicants to Bard Conservatory must submit two separate applications: one to Bard College and one to Bard Conservatory. 

How will you apply?

Applicants to Bard Conservatory may apply through Early Action or Early Decision, Immediate Decision, or Regular Decision.
The process and timeline for each is outlined below. No matter how you choose to apply, all applicants must submit an application to both Bard College and Bard Conservatory. 

Regular Application Options

Submit your application to Bard Conservatory by January 1 and your application to Bard College by January 15.
  • Regular Decision
    A non-binding application method with final admission decisions for Bard College and Bard Conservatory being released in mid-March. 

    A prescreening decision from Bard Conservatory will be posted to your applicant portal by mid-January. If invited to a final audition, auditions take place in-person at Bard, online via Zoom, or by recorded audition throughout the month of February. Final decisions from Bard College and Bard Conservatory will be posted to your Bard Applicant Portals by the end of March.

    For U.S. citizens, The College Board's College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS Profile) and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be filed by February 1 in order for eligible students to receive a financial aid package alongside their admission decision. 

    For international students, the International Student Financial Aid application, which can be found on our International Students Financial Aid page, must be submitted by January 15. 
  • Early Decision II
    Highly qualified candidates for whom Bard is the top choice may use the binding Early Decision II process. A prescreening decision from Bard Conservatory will be posted to your applicant portal by mid-January. If invited to a final audition, auditions take place in-person at Bard, online via Zoom, or by recorded audition throughout the month of February. A final decision from Bard College will be posted to your applicant portal by the end of January, and a final decision from Bard Conservatory will be posted to your Bard Applicant Portal by the end of March.

    For U.S. citizens, The College Board's College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS Profile) and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be filed by February 1 in order for eligible students to receive a financial aid package alongside their admission decision. 

    For international students, the International Student Financial Aid application, must be submitted by January 15. 

Regular Application Timelines

Conservatory prescreeening decisions will not be released until a College application has been received. Conservatory applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their Regular Decision or Early Decision II application to Bard College by January 1 to receive their prescreening decision before January 15. 
  • Regular Decision Application Timeline
    January 1: Application due to Bard Conservatory
    January 15: Application due to Bard College
    Mid-January: Prescreening decisions posted to Conservatory applicant portal
    February: Final auditions are held at Bard College.
    Mid-March: Final admissions decisions for Bard College & Bard Conservatory released
    May 1: Enrollment deadline
  • Early Decision II Application Timeline
    January 1: Application due to Bard Conservatory
    January 15: Application due to Bard College
    Mid-January: Prescreening decisions posted to Conservatory applicant portal
    End of January: Final admission decision from Bard College posted to College applicant portal
    February: Final auditions are held at Bard College.
    Mid-March: Final admission decision for Bard Conservatory posted to Conservatory applicant portal
    May 1: Enrollment deadline

Early Application Options

Submit your applications to Bard College and Bard Conservatory by November 1. 
  • Early Action
    Highly qualified candidates for whom Bard is a top choice may opt to use the non-binding Early Action process.

    Applications to Bard College and Bard Conservatory must be submitted by November 1. 

    A prescreening decision from Bard Conservatory will be posted to your Bard Applicant Portal by the end of December, as well as your final decision from Bard College. 

    For U.S. citizens, The College Board's College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS Profile) must be filed by December 1 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, 2027.

    For international students, the International Student Financial Aid application, which can be found on our International Students Financial Aid page, must be submitted by November 1.  
  • Early Decision
    Highly qualified candidates for whom Bard is the top choice may opt to use the binding Early Decision process.

    Applications to Bard College and Bard Conservatory must be submitted by November 1. 

    A prescreening decision from Bard Conservatory will be posted to your Bard Applicant Portal by the end of the first week of November. Applicants applying through Early Decision are required to audition in-person at Bard Conservatory on Friday, November 13 or Sunday, November 15. Final decisions for Bard College and Bard Conservatory will be posted to your applicant portals by the end of December. Students admitted through the Early Decision must accept Bard's offer of admission and make their deposit within 4 weeks of receiving their admission decision.

    For U.S. citizens, The College Board's College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS Profile) must be filed by December 1 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, 2027.

    For international students, the International Student Financial Aid application, which can be found on our International Students Financial Aid page, must be submitted by November 1.  
  • Immediate Decision Plan
    Through this process, students receive an admission decision within one week after participating.

    Applications to Bard College and Bard Conservatory must be submitted by November 1. 

    The Immediate Decision Plan (IDP) is for the accomplished student with Bard as their top choice. Applicants may choose for this process to be binding or non-binding by registering for IDP on Friday, November 13 or Sunday, November 15 and then submitting their application via the Early Action (EA) or Early Decision I (EDI) rounds. A prescreening decision from Bard Conservatory will be posted to your Bard Applicant Portal by the end of the first week of November. If offered a final audition, on their IDP date, IDP candidates participate in a class with Bard faculty, then interview with an admission counselor from Bard College, and perform their final audition for Bard Conservatory. Decisions are posted to applicant portals within one week of your IDP date. 

    For U.S. citizens, The College Board's College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS Profile) must be filed by December 1 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, 2027.

    For international students, the International Student Financial Aid application, which can be found on our International Students Financial Aid page, must be submitted by November 1.  
     

Early Application Timelines

For Early Decision & the Immediate Decision Plan, prescreening results will be released on a rolling basis before November 1. Applicants to these rounds are encouraged to submit their applications before November 1. 
  • Early Action Application Timeline
    November 1: Applications due to Bard College & Conservatory 
    Mid-December: Prescreening Results & Final College Decision Released
    February: Conservatory Auditions
    Mid-March: Final Conservatory Decision Released
    May 1: Enrollment Deadline
  • Early Decision Application Timeline
    November 1: Applications due to Bard College & Conservatory
    First Week of November: Prescreening Decisions Released 
    Second Weekend of November: In-Person Auditions at Bard 
    Mid-December: Final College & Conservatory Decisions Released
  • Immediate Decision Plan Application Timeline
    November 1: Applications due to Bard College & Conservatory 
    First Week of November: Prescreening Decisions Released 
    Second Weekend of November: In-Person Auditions at Bard 
    Third Week of November: Final College & Conservatory Decisions Released

Why Apply Early?

At Bard Conservatory, we believe in accessiblity of a world-class education, and we work closely with families to make Bard affordable, no matter which application option you choose. We encourage you to apply and audition at the time when you will be most prepared for your audition. 
Two singers behind sheet music next to a piano.
Photo by Liam Brosh ’25

Two Applications, Two Admissions Letters

Because the Conservatory undergraduate program is a double-degree program, applicants will receive two separate decision letters: one letter will come from the Conservatory admission office, and one will come from the College admission 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.