Bard College Admission Hosts College Application Workshop on September 13

Bard College Admission will host Apply Boldly: A Bard College Application Workshop on Saturday, September 13, from 9:30 am to 4:30pm at its Annandale-on-Hudson, New York campus. Apply Boldly is a daylong in-person workshop designed to provide the resources, guidance, and support students need to tackle the college application process with confidence and command. Students will build their own day by choosing from a variety of sessions—covering essay writing, application strategy, building a college list, and more. Parents and guardians will also have sessions designed for them. Lunch in Kline Commons dining hall with Bard College students, staff, and other families will be included. The application workshop is free and open to all rising senior high school students. Pre-registration is required. Students may bring up to two guests. Shuttle service will be provided to and from the Rhinecliff, NY Amtrak station that day. Register for the college application workshop here.

Schedule of Events
Apply Boldly: A Bard College Application Workshop
Saturday, September 13, from 9:30 am to 4:30pm
Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, NY
Register here
9:30–10:00 am
Check-In and Breakfast:
Grab coffee, tea, fruit, and pastries while you meet other students, parents, and the Bard Admission team before we dive in.
Franklin W. Olin Humanities Building, Atrium

10:00–10:15 am
Opening Remarks
Director of Admission George Hamel shares the plan for the day, along with tips for making the most of your sessions.
Olin Hall

10:15–11:00 am
Student Panel: What I Wish I Knew
Current Bard students share real stories from their college application journeys: surprises, challenges, and advice you can actually use.
Olin Hall

11:05–11:40 am
Session 1 (choose one)
Essay Brainstorm Lab
Use creative prompts and writing exercises to uncover great essay ideas. Leave with 2–3 strong concepts for your personal essay.

Application Strategy
Learn what top schools value, how they read applications, and plan how to highlight your strengths across the application.

For Parents and Guests: Supporting Your Teen
Practical tips for helping your student through the college application process, without adding additional stress.

11:50 am–12:25 pm
Session 2 (choose one)
Building Your College List
How to research and select schools that match your academic, social, and financial needs.

Activities Deep Dive
Strategies on how to turn your activities list into an effective, standout part of your application.

For Parents and Guests: Fit, Finances, and Futures
Learn how to compare costs, understand aid offers, and plan for your student’s future.

12:30–1:25 pm
Lunch
Relax and refuel in Bard’s main dining hall while chatting with current Bard students, staff, and other families. We’ll leave in groups from Olin Hall at 12:25 pm.
Kline Commons Dining Hall

1:30–2:30 pm
Session 3 (choose one)
Campus Tour
See Bard through a student’s eyes, from classrooms to favorite hangouts.

Admission Committee Case Study
Step into the role of an admission counselor and learn how applications are read.

2:30–3:00 pm
Closing Remarks and Next Steps
Key takeaways and how to stay connected with Bard from Director of Admission George Hamel.

3:00–4:30 pm
Conversation with a Bard Admission Counselor
Still have questions? Stay and sign up for a personal conversation with an admission counselor.

Explore Bard
Throughout the day, campus spots like the Bertelsmann Campus Center, Stevenson Library, Kline Commons, and the Office of Admission will be open to explore. Self-guided tour maps will also be available.

For questions and more information, please contact Bard Admission by phone at 845-758-7472 or by email at [email protected].
About Bard College
Founded in 1860, Bard College is a four-year, residential college of the liberal arts and sciences located 90 miles north of New York City. With the addition of the Montgomery Place estate, Bard’s campus consists of nearly 1,200 parklike acres in the Hudson River Valley. It offers bachelor of arts, bachelor of science, and bachelor of music degrees, with majors in more than 40 academic programs; graduate degrees in 13 programs; eight early colleges; and numerous dual-degree programs nationally and internationally. Building on its 165-year history as a competitive and innovative undergraduate institution, Bard College has expanded its mission as a private institution acting in the public interest across the country and around the world to meet broader student needs and increase access to liberal arts education. The undergraduate program at our main campus in upstate New York has a reputation for scholarly excellence, a focus on the arts, and civic engagement. Bard is committed to enriching culture, public life, and democratic discourse by training tomorrow’s thought leaders. For more information about Bard College, visit bard.edu.

This event was last updated on 08-28-2025

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