Applying to Bard

Select how you will be entering Bard by choosing one of the links below. These pages contain specific details, including deadlines. Scroll down for our overview of application methods.

Choose One Application Method

What are the application methods?

Choose only one! After you decide how you will apply, you will then decide when you will apply. Application Process FAQs.

Using the Common Application, candidates may apply to Bard through: Early Action · Early Decision · Early Decision II · Regular Decision · The Immediate Decision Plan. You may only apply through one application method. If you apply through the Common Application, do not submit a Coalition Application.

Using Coalition with Scoir, candidates may apply to Bard through: Early Action · Early Decision · Early Decision II · Regular Decision · The Immediate Decision Plan. You may only apply through one application method. If you apply through the Coalition Application, do not submit a Common Application.
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Alternative Application Method: The Bard Entrance Exam

The Bard Entrance Examination is an online essay test open only to high school juniors and seniors. Completion of the test is equivalent to an application for admission. The deadline for submitting a completed examination is November 1, with notification of the results by mid-December. There is no fee for this examination.
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November 1 Application Options

Apply by November 1

Early application options: Apply using the Common Application or Coalition with Scoir. Please only use one application method.

Bard will meet 100% of the full demonstrated need (Tuition, Room and Board, First Year Academic Programming if applicable and Required Fees) for U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens* admitted in the early rounds (Early Action I and Early Decision I). The College makes every effort to meet demonstrated need, no matter which application option students choose. In recent years, almost 70% of all Bard students have received financial support from the College.
*Dual citizens (US citizens with other citizenship(s)), permanent US residents, and DACA/Undocumented students

What does meeting need mean at Bard?
A student’s financial need is calculated after their family contribution, federal student loans, federal grants, outside grants, scholarships, and work-study eligibility are considered. The College provides a financial aid award that is designed to meet the gap between the cost of Tuition, Room and Board, Required Fees, First Year Academic Programming (if applicable), and the sum of the family contribution, federal student loans, federal grants, work-study (if eligible) and other outside grants and scholarships.

Students applying to the Bard Conservatory of Music must apply by the Regular Decision deadline and are not eligible to apply through any other round.

The following are Bard's November 1 Application Options (choose only one):

Immediate Decision Plan

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 an IDP date and then submitting their application via the Early Action (EA) or Early Decision I (EDI) rounds. On their IDP date, IDP candidates participate in a class with Bard faculty and then interview with an admission counselor. Decisions are posted to applicant portals the next business day after 8 pm Eastern.

For U.S. citizens, The College Board's College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS Profile) must be filed by November 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, 2024.

For non-U.S. citizens, the International Student Financial Aid application, which can be found here, must be submitted by November 1.

Highly qualified candidates for whom Bard is the top choice may opt to use the binding Early Decision process.

Early Decision I

Highly qualified candidates for whom Bard is the top choice may opt to use the binding Early Decision process.

Submit your application by November 1

Please complete the Early Decision Agreement form, available on the Common Application and Coalition with Scoir. Decisions will be posted to your Bard Applicant Portal by the end of December. Students admitted through the Early Decision I round 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, 2024.

For international students, the International Student Financial Aid application, which can be found here, must be submitted by November 1.
*This round will be labeled as Early Decision (ED) on the Common Application and Coalition with Scoir Application

Highly qualified candidates for whom Bard is a top choice may opt to use the non-binding Early Action process.

Early Action

Highly qualified candidates for whom Bard is a top choice may opt to use the non-binding Early Action process.

Submit your application by November 1

Decisions will be posted to your Bard Applicant Portal by the end of December.

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, 2024.

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

January 1 Application Options

Apply by January 1

Apply using the Common Application or Coalition with Scoir. Please use only one application method. Students applying to the Bard Conservatory of Music must apply by the Regular Decision deadline and are not eligible to apply through any other round.
The following are Bard's January 1 Application Options (choose only one):

Immediate Decision Plan II

The Immediate Decision Plan II (IDP) is recommended for the accomplished student for whom Bard is the top choice. Applicants for Immediate Decision Plan II must apply through the binding early decision II process. IDP candidates participate in a class with Bard faculty and then interview with admission counselors. Decisions are posted to applicant portals the next business-day evening (notification sent via email). 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 non-U.S. citizens, the International Student Financial Aid application, which can be found here, must be submitted by January 1.
Click here for more information

Highly qualified candidates for whom Bard is the top choice may opt to use the binding Early Decision II process.

Early Decision II

Highly qualified candidates for whom Bard is the top choice may opt to use the binding Early Decision II process.

Please complete the Early Decision II Agreement form, available on the Common Application website. Decisions will be posted to your Bard Applicant Portal by the end of January. 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 here, must be submitted by January 1.

Regular Decision

Decisions 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, which can be found here, must be submitted by January 1.

An alternative application option that does not require the submission of the Common Application or Coalition with Scoir. Apply by Nov. 1
The Bard Entrance Examination is an online essay exam open only to high school juniors and seniors. The exam must be finished and submitted by November 1. Completion of the exam is equivalent to an application for admission. Applicants receive pass/fail notification of exam results by mid December.

Did You Know?

Bard College has been test optional for over 50 years.
You do not need to take the SAT or ACT to apply to Bard.

SAT and ACT scores should only be submitted if a student feels that their scores are an accurate reflection of their academic abilities. Submitted SAT and ACT scores are only used to inform our review process in a very small fraction of applications that include SAT or ACT scores. Students who do not submit their SAT or ACT scores are not penalized in any way during the application review process.

For more information about our test optional policy, please reach out to the Office of Admission at [email protected] or 845-758-7472.

There is NO application fee to apply to Bard College!

Applying for Financial Aid?

Required Financial Aid Forms for Bard College

Financial aid and scholarships based on need are available. (For some financial aid scholarships, students will need to fill out a form and submit that form at the same time their application to the College is submitted.) Both the FAFSA and CSS PROFILE forms are required by Bard for domestic students and are found online. For international students, the Bard International Student Application for Financial Aid is required and is to be completed and uploaded to their Bard portal with their application. All students receive access to their Bard Portal via email after submitting their application to Bard College.

• U.S. citizens applying through the following early application options: Bard Entrance Exam, Early Action, Early Decision I, 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, 2024.
  • NOTE for Immediate Decision Plan (IDP) applicants: November 1 is the deadline to submit the CSS Profile. 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, 2024.
  • NOTE for Immediate Decision Plan (IDP) applicants: November 1 is the deadline to submit the BISFAA.

  In-Person and Virtual Interview Options

  Interviews are not required except for Return to College applicants. They are recommended for transfer and homeschooled students. Only students applying in the current admission cycle are eligible for an interview.
  Interviews are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. Once interview slots are full, the Admission Office is unable to schedule additional slots.
  Students applying via the Immediate Decision Plan (IDP) should not register for an interview. An interview will be arranged for them during their IDP day. Virtual interviews will be conducted by admission counselors, while in-person interviews will be conducted by students.

  Who Should Interview?
  • Students who feel that the applications offered do not provide them with adequate space to fully explain important life and/or educational experiences
  • Students who wish to provide further context around something they plan to include in their application that they feel would be better explained in an interview setting
  • Students who wish to share information with Admission that they do not plan to include in their application
  Interview Options

  First Year and Spring Transfer/RCP interview slots are available from early September through early November, with additional slots offered in January for Regular Decision candidates only. On-campus interviews are hosted by Undergraduate Admission Fellows, while virtual interviews are hosted by Admission Counselors. Admission Counselors may also be available to host interviews during their fall travel schedule, students are welcome to reach out to the Admission Representative for their region about on-the-road interview possibilities. Please know that we weigh fellow and counselor interviews equally, and interviews for First Year and Transfer applicants are simply a layer of our holistic application review process, and you will not be disadvantaged in the application process if you were not able to schedule an interview.

  Interview Deadlines
  • Early Action, Early Decision I, and Bard Entrance Exam interviews: weekdays from September 9, 2024, through November 7, 2024
  • Regular Decision and Early Decision II interviews: weekdays from September 9, 2024, through November 7, 2024
  • Spring Transfer and Return to College interviews: weekdays from September 9, 2024, through November 7, 2024
  • Fall Transfer and Return to College interviews: weekdays in February of 2025

  Faculty Connections

  • The specific professor(s) they would like to meet with or the division(s) they are interested in
  • Details about their availability and travel
  • If you are taking a tour during their visit.
  Video on Accessing the Bard Portal for Students

  Attention Parents/Families of Bard Applicants!

  Important Information About Your Student's Bard Portal

  Once your student submits their Common Application or Coalition with Scoir, it may take 24–48 hours for us to confirm receipt of their application. Once we receive their application, they will be emailed a confirmation which includes the credentials to access their Bard portal. Students should login to their Bard portals regularly to view their application and, if applicable, financial aid checklists to make sure we have received all of their required materials and to see important messages we post there.

  If your student submits their application on the deadline date but still has required materials to submit, please note that they will have time to upload those application materials after that deadline date as long as their application has been submitted. It is important, however, that they submit those final materials as soon as possible after the deadline has passed as the admission committee cannot read incomplete applications.

  If your student applied via the Bard Entrance Exam (BEE) they will also receive a confirmation email from us noting receipt of their BEE application within 48 hours of submitting their application essays. That email will also provide them with access to their Bard portal, which they should view regularly.

  We ask students not to mail or email any materials directly to the Admission Office unless instructed to do so. Your student is to use their Bard portal and go to their Application Tab to upload and view submitted materials.

  Your student should make a habit of visiting their Bard portal frequently to view their application and financial aid checklists and confirm that we have received all of the materials required to complete their application. We will also be posting information on their portal throughout the admission cycle so it is important for them to check their portal regularly.

  HERE'S HOW STUDENTS USE THEIR BARD PORTAL

  Attention Parents/Families of Bard Applicants!

  • As an applicant, your student will receive a login and a link to their Bard portal. (Note: It may take 24-48 hours for us to confirm receipt of their application, after which they will receive a login and a link to their Bard portal.) That portal gives your student access to many tabs, one of which is their Application Tab where they will see their Application Checklist. Students are encouraged to review their Application Checklist periodically to see if there are missing application materials. We instruct students to upload all materials, including any supplemental materials they wish to share with us, to their Bard portal. File formats we accept are listed on their Bard portal.
    • Transcripts and recommendations submitted by their counselors and teachers will eventually appear with a green checkmark on their Application Checklist as they are received. If their transcripts and recommendations do not appear in their Application Checklist after they’ve requested them to be sent to Bard, your student needs to follow-up with their counselor, teachers and/or their school office. Please note that applicants must not upload any recommendation letters themselves as these must remain confidential and should be sent to Bard by the recommenders directly. We will also notify you and your student, via email, if there are any missing materials.
    • If your student is applying for financial aid, once they’ve submitted all the required materials, your student should go to the Financial Aid Tab in their portal to confirm that they have been received and to see if there are any missing materials. (Note: It can take from 48 hours to 3-5 days, depending on the form being submitted, before a green check mark appears next to each of the respective forms.)
    • Your student will receive an email from Admission stating that there has been an update to their Bard portal. Your student is to log in to their portal and click on their Dashboard Tab where all decision letters and correspondences from the College are displayed.
    • Offers of Admission can be accepted, declined, or deferred, within the Bard portal. Enrollment deposits can be made using a credit card, or your student can indicate that their payment is forthcoming via a check or money order.
    • Any events hosted by the Office of Admission will be displayed in an Event Tab on their portal.
    • Once your student’s enrollment deposit is processed, within a week, their Bard portal will display new tabs. The Bardian checklist tab will display their personalized Bardian checklist. There will also be a Special Admitted Events Tab.