We are in the same boat - in western part of US and feel our daughter needs to see that area and determine if it is too isolated for her. New York did just change quarantine rules again - looks like if vaccinated they don’t apply and/or you can take a covid test to test out of quarantine. I may be oversimplifying it as I didn’t look at all the details. If you go, let us know what you think. If we go it will probably be at last minute due to waiting on RD.
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I live in Red Hook, the town adjacent to Bard and can tell you that you can absolutely drive around campus. The main road through campus is even a public road. My son also attends Bard so if anyone has any specific questions I can answer!
Something to note is that there is a shuttle bus that runs constantly from Bard to Red Hook and Tivoli. Red Hook and Tivoli have shops, restaurants, health food store, supermarket… So even though campus is somewhat secluded there is easy access to towns. NYC is accessible by public transportation. It would be about a 2.5 hour trip from Bard to Grand Central or Penn Station.
The campus is gorgeous. There are the Catskill mountains to view over the Hudson River. There is waterfall on campus, mansions, beautiful old buildings mixed in with stunning new architecture. The campus is adjacent to Tivoli Bays which offers miles and miles of hiking trails.
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In case you haven’t heard, NY has lifted the quarantine requirements for domestic travelers.
I hope we can hear our Bard decision soon! It would be great to use spring break to visit - even knowing that we would still want to be taking a lot of precautions.
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My D just got accepted today and also happily surprised with merit award. She has done a virtual tour and loved it. Might go visit the area if able as it is somewhat remote and not sure how she would do with that (city girl currently). @skymomia - My D also wants theatre and performance as one major along with social justice/political science, etc. Bard sounds like a perfect fit for my D in many ways. Probably for the reasons why some kids don’t like it - lol.
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Rejection here. Bummer! Well, for me anyway. My daughter seems to be taking it in stride though. I think she has already made a decision and I’m hoping she reveals it soon.
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so sorry! Rejections are not fun (we all experience it). Glad your D is taking it well and has choices she is excited about. 
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Yeah! My D got an acceptance last night and a nice scholarship to put Bard in the running. She’s pursuing Vocal Performance, so I really like the idea of a 5 year dual degree program.
It’s a 3.5 hour drive for us, so I’m seriously contemplating taking a drive to get an idea of the area.
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Rejection here too for my son. He’s a little bit bummed but realizing Bard may not have been a good fit for him. He’s getting more interested in a graphic design BFA program at another college where he was accepted.
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They’re so resilient, aren’t they?! And I love your D is keeping their decision a surprise. Very exciting. Congrats to you all.
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I sincerely believe these rejections are gifts (that may take time to be well received). Best of luck with your S deciding and finding their school.
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Their merit scholarships are amazing. I was hesitant to apply because the NPC showed 20k for my efc of 5k, but the presidential scholarship is only 13k short of a full ride
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I agree! I received a merit aid offer that comes out to a full ride and the 5-year dual degree makes this a program I’m seriously considering.
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My ds was accepted to Bard, double degree program, vocal performance and mathematics. An extremely generous aid package puts Bard at the top of the list right now. I think it will come down to either Bard or Lawrence.
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Update when she decides! We are also seriously considering Bard. The scholarship they offered was very generous and it has pushed Bard to the top of the list, where it couldn’t be previously due to cost. My concern however is that tuition seems to rise each year and by the end of 5 years, we could be responsible for even more.
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How would you describe the campus culture? My S was recently admitted and Bard came on our radar as one of the few double degree programs partnering with a conservatory (though he won’t pursue). Also the Colleges That Change Lives list (along with Clark — another contender).
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My son graduated from the conservatory and college with a degree in music composition and Classics in 2014. So my info is a bit out of date, but I’m happy to answer questions. He was the kind of student who had his choice of just about anywhere he wanted to go, and he chose Bard. He knew what he was doing. It was the perfect place for him. After Bard he went on to Yale for his MM and he took graduate classes in several of the different colleges in addition to the School of Music - science, drama, and classics - and Bard was a great preparation academically. He is still lifelong friends with Bard classmates, and professors, too. He continues to read deeply, and question deeply.
For those accepted to the conservatory - the connection with New York City’s music community cannot be downplayed - it is a crucial part of the experience - as well as the ability to separate from the city itself at the beautiful pastoral campus - a bit like a five year retreat!
As for scholarships - the merit scholarship, in our case, increased each year to match the same percentage of the cost of attendance as at the start.
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Thanks, it’s helpful to hear from those who’ve had active experience at the college. Ds’s degree choices will be Voice and Mathematics with a possible minor in philosophy (though he’s keen on latin, too). I wonder how the academic/intellectual climate compares between Bard and Lawrence, his other choice. My sense is that Bard is fairly rigorous and he def wants to be challenged that way. Like your son mine is a thinker and loves the big questions. This is the first year Bard will have a vocal program and that is a draw for him, being in the first wave though he recognizes there may be hiccups along the way as they find their feet. I find it interesting that this is a draw for him.
I guess one concern would be diversity of political opinion and worldview. This is important to him, that he be surrounded with myriad views, albeit in an atmosphere of tolerance. It sounds like Bard is fairly left-leaning. The left-leaning part isn’t an issue, but I think he might chafe at a lack of heterogeneity. Thanks again for sharing your experience.
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Edited to remove. Please PM instead.
Seems as if so many of you received merit aid, that’s awesome! Congrats! My son was accepted as part of their Immediate Decision Plan back in November, but he didn’t receive any aid. He’s received a nice chunk of merit aid from Sarah Lawrence, Bennington, Emerson, and some others which makes a HUGE difference as we try to figure out where he’s going to go. Does anyone know if it’s worth it to call Bard and see if they’ll negotiate? (Or am I crazy?? 
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You’re not alone! My S hasn’t had time to review everything in detail but I think any merit would have been easily noted. He has a couple generous offers in addition to acceptance at our state flagship so I told him he needs to really be sure and sell me on Bard!
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