<p>I’ve been all over the place and I can’t seem to find a straight answer about their class requirements. I understand that, like most higher level schools, they want to see as many core classes as possible, but I have yet to find out whether they have a set of class requirements or just what they would like to see in someone applying. For example, they say they want 3 - 4 years of foreign language, but is that the end all be all or is that just their ideal candidate? Some colleges say they require 3 years of lab science while others say they recommend it. I can’t figure out if Bard recommends or requires and then what it requires.</p>
<p>We just toured Bard, and they have no hard and fast rules. They look at each student very holistically. Of course they’d like to see rigor and good grades, and it is quite an intellectual environment, but they are not big on rigid requirements and seem easier to get into than, for instance, nearby Vassar, which at our information session was quite clear that they expect 4 years of language and 4 years of math.</p>
<p>As comparison, my D (now a Bard soph) took at honors or AP level:
4 years English
3 math
4 science (2 or 3 with lab, can’t remember)
4 language
4 history/social sci
4 arts electives
plus whatever other stuff her HS required, like gym and civics etc.</p>
<p>How does your daughter like Bard? I am thinking of going to Bard in the fall. How difficult are the classes and how are the teachers? Are the classes rather difficult compared to high school AP classes?</p>
<p>nyak10, are you going to sample any classes at Bard? there is a link on their accepted student page to arrange that. My son is going to and he believes that will be the best way to know how compatible he is with Bard as compared to other schools he has sampled. I would still love to hear anyone’s comments on how Bard classes were compared to high school and the level of intellectual engagement of the students compared to that of peers in high school (whether in honors, AP or just normal classes in a very competitive high school.)</p>
<p>Here’s something in black and white:</p>
<p>"Each year the Admission Office at Bard receives 10 times the number of applicants it can accept. So yes, competition is tough. Bard expects applicants to be proven, motivated students with an average GPA of 3.5 or above, who have taken Honors or AP courses where appropriate in a curriculum that includes four years of English, social studies, mathematics, 3 (preferably 4) years of laboratory science, and 3-4 years of a foreign language.</p>
<p>"While evidence of high achievement and motivation is essential, admission to Bard is not just about numbers. The College welcomes independent thinkers and looks closely at each applicant, carefully weighing all facets of the high school experience. Bard presents extraordinary opportunities for its students to thrive and achieve, and seeks students who will take full advantage of these opportunities.</p>
<p>“Choosing the right college is a major commitment and should be based on informed consideration, not on media rankings, myths, or vague impressions picked up from friends. Look closely at all that Bard has to offer and make a decision based on our strengths, and on yours.”</p>
<p>It’s on the main admission page:
[Applying</a> | Bard](<a href=“http://www.bard.edu/admission/applying/]Applying”>Applying to Bard)</p>
<p>nyak and mommybird - D loves Bard and is working harder than she ever worked in high school (which sometimes was pretty hard and sometimes not so much). First year classes seemed about equivalent to APs but upper level classes were a definite jump in terms of expectations. She has routinely taken more than the “normal” credit load, but some of that is because she plays an instrument and gets credit for private lessons, orchestra, chamber music etc.</p>
<p>You can’t hide at Bard. You’re in a small class (often 10 people or less - her entire photo class fit into the prof’s smallish car on a recent field trip!) and if you haven’t done the reading or haven’t thought about the topic, it will be noticed. Her midterm and final grades include personal comments from the prof about her class participation, papers etc. So far, she’s had more papers than exams, but I’m not sure if that’s a function of the kinds of classes she’s been taking (mostly humanities).</p>
<p>As far as I can tell, the teachers seem to be committed to teaching - you can even take your first year seminar from Pres. Botstein - and they seem to be pretty good at it.</p>
<p>Only real negative so far is disorganization relating to study abroad. They’re not making it easy for D to do a study abroad program outside of Bard’s offerings, but it is slowly working itself out, I think. (I hope!)</p>
<p>Go to Accepted Students Day. It was a big help for our family in our decision making.</p>
<p>mommybird, my S attended the IDP and came out of the class with a huge grin on his face, saying “that was amazing.” To read more about what parents have said about the education and level of discourse, check out my thread titled “I Don’t Get It.” If the Bard experience is as good as the IDP and these parents indicate, then a Bard education should be thrilling for a student who loves learning! (My S has not made his decision yet, though). We’re going down to the wire!</p>
<p>btw, I don’t really get what the 3.5 GPA means anyway. Weighted, unweighted, includes electives, what? Plus, about 54% of students in the class were in the top 10% of their high school. Well, at our high school, an unweighted 3.5 puts a student in the top 10%. For other schools, 3.5 UW might be the 50%ile! </p>
<p>Basically, just take a challenging course load and be sure to show that you’ve got some kind of passion! My son’s grades were a bit all over the place, but boy did he show that he loves to learn, think and follow his intellectual passions!</p>
<p>My gpa was 3.41 when I applied, I took 3 years of honors/AP English, and 1 year of AP Psych. I only took 2 years of foreign language, and instead of replacing it with an academic class my junior year, I was an “art aide” for the photography program at my school.</p>
<p>When we talked to admissions last year, they said exactly what researching4emb described. If you want to go badly, make sure that comes across in your application. I’m a mediocre student by comparison but hey, I got in.</p>