New Students
Photo by Karl Rabe

New Students

Welcome to the Bard community! You are about to embark on an extraordinary journey.
Soon you will join a collaborative community of passionate students from all over the world whose perspectives expand every aspect of campus life.

Language and Thinking Program (L&T)

  • All first-year students at Bard take part in the Language and Thinking Program (L&T), a three-week intensive introduction to the liberal arts and sciences. Outside of class, a series of events help L&T students get to know each other, become familiar with the campus and College resources, and settle into life at Bard.
    Learn More About L&T
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    Photo by Karl Rabe
Two people sit on a blanket outside, overlooking the Hudson River from a green meadow.
Two people sit on a blanket outside, overlooking the Hudson River from a green meadow.
Photo by Karl Rabe

Important Dates

Arriving at Bard? Here's what you need to know.
Fall Semester Arrival
First-Year Students
Arrival Day: Friday, August 7, 2026
*International First-Year Student Arrival Day: August 4, 2026
(International Students may direct questions to the Office of International Student and Scholar Services (OISSS) by emailing [email protected])
Language and Thinking Program: August 10–26, 2026
Transfer Students
Arrival Day: Friday, August 21, 2026 
Transfer Student Language and Thinking Program: August 24–26, 2026

Sakinah Bennett Talks about the First-Year Experience at Bard College

Sakinah Bennett studied dance and historical studies at Bard College, where she was also a Posse Scholar. In this video, Sakinah talks to incoming students about the first-year experience at Bard, including the Language and Thinking Program, student advising, and getting involved on campus.

Understanding Where Someone Is Coming From

“Just look at our student clubs—we have so many for a small school,” observes Jonian Rafti. “The challenge is learning how to agree or disagree with all your peers since there are so many different beliefs on this campus. That’s an essential life skill: to understand where someone’s coming from and to be able to express your views in a meaningful way.”
A large group of students standing on a green hill in front of a stone church.
Photo by Karl Rabe

Welcome New Bardians!

The Class of 2029 and other new students at Language and Thinking, Summer 2025.