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Main Image for First-Year Students

First-Year Students

First-year picnic after the Language and Thinking Program.
Photo by Karl Rabe
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Welcome, Class of 2025!
The first year at Bard College is a time of discovery and community building. You are becoming a Bardian, from the moment you join us on campus for Language and Thinking in August until you complete First-Year Seminar in May. The Office of the First-Year Experience is here to introduce you to Bard and guide you through a year of academic exploration and extracurricular engagement.

Join the Conversation on Instagram!

First Year Dean Team

  • Darnell L. Pierce, First Year Dean (A-K) and Director of the First Year Experience
    He/Him/His
  • Dr. Kaet Heupel, First Year Dean (L-Z) and Professor
    She/Her/Hers

Information for Your First Year

  • Bard Admission Portal
    Set up Bard Email, Upload Photo ID, Complete Housing Profile, Complete Health Forms, and more!
  • What to Bring to Campus
    What to bring. What's not allowed, Shipping packages before you arrive, Your campus address.
  • Residence Life & Housing
    MyAnnandale. Move-In Day Info! Log into your housing portal. Meet your new roommate! Rent a microfridge. 
  • Bard Houses
    Meet your House Professor. Learn about your house affiliation.
  • Campus Services + Resources
    Student Clubs/Organizations, Dean's Office, Health & Wellness, Gender Equity, and more!
  • How to Get to Campus
    Information on getting to and traveling around Bard campus.

Bard's COVID-19 Response

Visit the COVID-19 Response website for comprehensive information about arrival on campus and the spring semester.

COVID-19 Response

Language and Thinking 2021

August 9–26, 2021

Your first year at Bard begins with the Language and Thinking Program—a three-week intensive introduction to the liberal arts and sciences with a focus on writing. It is attended by all incoming students and is required for matriculation into the College. Watch this video to discover how first-year students typically spend their first three weeks on campus.

Learn more about L&T

First-Year Seminar

First-Year Seminar

First-Year Seminar is a two-semester course taken by all first-years at Bard. Its goal is to create a basis for shared conversation among the first-year class and build foundational skills for success in college: attentive close reading of challenging texts; respectful and inclusive dialogue with others; the ability to ask profound and interesting questions about what you read; and developing your academic voice through writing.

FYSem Website

Citizen Science

Citizen Science is an innovative program for all first year students. Through two weeks of intensive study during the January intersession, students develop a core understanding of both the conduct and the content of science. This foundation allows them as citizens to grapple with the ever-increasing number of national and global issues influenced by science.

CitSci Website

Becoming a Sophomore

Sophomores at Bard College establish a major program and transition from the Lower College to the Upper College through a process called Moderation. In Moderation, students write papers identifying their academic progress and goals and submit a sample of work done in the program. Each student meets with a board of three faculty members who evaluate and advise the student as he or she moves forward into the Upper College. Learn More

About Moderation

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Admission Phone: 845-758-7472
Admission E-mail: admission@bard.edu
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