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Main Image for Undergraduate Double-Degree Program

Undergraduate Double-Degree Program

Undergraduate Double Degree
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    • Instrumental and Composition Curriculum
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How to Apply
Conservatory applicants must apply to Bard College and Bard Conservatory using two separate applications. The deadline for both applications is January 1.

All Applicants

Application Requirements

  • Two Degrees, Two Applications
    Because all undergraduates in the Conservatory pursue a double-degree in music and an academic field, each applicant must submit two applications. Please take the time to familiarize yourself with the requirements of each application. 
    Performance Application
    Composition Application
    College Application
  • Conservatory Application
    Deadline: January 1
    The following required conservatory application materials may be uploaded directly to your Student Portal:

    1. Performance and/or composition application
    2. prescreening recordings (audio or video will be accepted)
    3. a musical bio or resume
    4. a recommendation from a professional musician (most usually your private instructor). Up to three musical recommendations may be submitted. 
  • College Application 
    Deadline: January 1
    All applicants applying to Bard Conservatory must submit a Regular Decision application to Bard College. Visit the Bard College website for a complete list of required application materials.

    Please send all mailed materials to: 

    Bard College Office of Admission 
    PO Box 5000 (Physical address: 30 Campus Road)
    Annandale-on-Hudson, NY 12504-5000
    Bard College Admission Website

International Applicants

Please note: All application materials must be translated into English by an official translator before submission. 

International applicants must also submit an English proficiency exam. Visit the Bard College undergraduate admission website for details.

International Applicants

We require all international students to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language, or the The International English Language Testing System test, or the Duolingo English Test.

Our test score guidelines are:
  • TOEFL score of at least 600 (paper-based) or 100 (Internet-based test - IBT). 
  • IELTS in place of the TOEFL, with a band score of no less than seven.
  • Duolingo English Test in place of the TOEFL or IELTS, with a test score of no less than 120.

In certain circumstances international students whose English language test scores fall below the above guidelines for admission may be required to take an English language intensive track during their first year at Bard, with the understanding that by the start of the second year these students will have achieved the required level of English-language proficiency. 

The purpose of the English language assessment tests is for admissions and, upon acceptance, for placement purposes in our ESL courses. The results also provide a baseline for measuring progress throughout the first year of the student’s study of English. As part of the application process, each student needs to provide information about the schedule for taking these English language assessment test.

In their first year students in the English language intensive track will take a full 12 credit load of courses consisting of:
  • Studio Instruction (4 credits)
  • Chamber Music (2 credits)
  • Orchestral Studies (2 credits)
  • English as a Second Language (4 credits)
Additionally, with the consent of College and Conservatory faculty advisors, students may take a non-language intensive course in the college. (For example, classes such as math, foreign languages study, science, studio art, dance, music theory, or theater arts might fall into this category.)
  
In order to complete the double-degree program in five years, students will need to carry increasingly full schedules in subsequent years. For some majors, it may not be possible for students to graduate in five years.

Complete information about language proficiency requirements and application requirements for international students can be found at the Bard College admissions website.
 

Transfer Applicants

The Conservatory welcomes transfer applications from students currently attending other conservatories, liberal arts colleges, and universities. Applicants must submit a Bard College Transfer Application, in addition to the Bard Conservatory Application. Upon favorable review of the prescreening materials, invitations will be extended to audition at Bard College on an ad hoc basis. Please consult the Bard College admission page for general information on completing the transfer application.

Information for Transfer Applicants

Transfer Application Deadlines

  • Spring Semester: November 1
    Fall Semester: March 1
    ​​​​​
    Conservatory transfer applicants applying for the fall semester are strongly encouraged to submit their materials by the January 1 regular decision undergraduate deadline so that they may audition along with first-year applicants in early March.
Bard Conservatory
Bard College
Conservatory of Music
30 Campus Road
Annandale-on-Hudson
New York 12504-5000
845-758-7196
[email protected]
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All photos by Karl Rabe unless stated otherwise.