Lucky you to secure a guided tour! Great to hear you’re close to a decision. 
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We’re trying to do a virtual tour first, then a drive through next week. I’m glad they let us get out of the car!
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I’m taking the day out of work, I didn’t realize at first that we couldn’t see any of the buildings. We prob could have done a drive thru on a non-work day, but I’m sure my daughter will want to ask some questions re: campus life. She’s really excited about her program there, the small size of the school itself made her a little worried, however. She said she doesn’t want to spend her college life alone in her dorm room. 
She figured, bigger school more chance to make friends, but, I told her it’s quality not quantity!
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I actually don’t think we are allowed out of car. Except by Montgomery Place (if that is the correct name of it). Would love to hear differently - seems like a great campus to walk through.
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I think I read we could get out and sit at tables by Blythwood Manor. Maybe I’m projecting! We’re trying to do the virtual tour first but it’s M-F 10am, 2pm - tough for east coast school schedule.
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that is probably what I am thinking of (getting out and having a picnic, etc). The virtual tour was good - hope you all can swing one. I wonder if they have any recorded ones?
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That is a gorgeous setting! Really so picturesque. I’m hoping for good weather. Everything looks better in the sunshine!
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During Students Day, someone said it was like being in Narnia when it snows! My S just crossed a small bucolic college off our list, leaving two urban locations in contention with Bard. For the city locations he’s making sure there is adequate natural space. Bard will be complete immersion.
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Narnia is a good description. The campus felt magical even in barely spring. My DD, kept saying, “I like this”…“I really like this.”
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@SpiritManager- My daughter is definitely not one to expect “luxuries”, and none of the schools we are looking at falls in the “chocolate dipped strawberry” category. I’m speaking more in terms of academic support and all around engagement and focus on the students. The overall impression has been very positive. My spider sense was just a little tingly because, like any organization, if you spread yourself too thin, nothing is done well. The campus is amazing. There were just a couple of buildings that were not well kept (noticed from 20 ft away in my car) so, I just wanted to poke at the idea a bit. Thank you for engaging in the discussion!
There is a particular path from North campus to the South campus that really does feel like a Narnia path complete with a lamp pole in the woods. My son lived on North campus most of the time and always loved walking to and from his classes through there.
@sfmomma - I think there are always complaints about resources being spread more thinly than one would like. I am hopeful that this new huge endowment campaign will assuage some of those worries, for the students, and for the faculty. I actually attended a college which went bankrupt because it was spread too thin - Antioch College - and it was because of the lack of focus on the main undergraduate institution that their finances and their administrative capabilities fell apart. So it is a genuine and thoughtful concern of yours!
I think Bard has managed so far to juggle its many priorities - but there is no doubt that they’re constantly expanding and adding more to their plate. Truthfully, I’m not quite sure how they do it. But they certainly never sit still.
Could some of the buildings be nicer? No doubt. Could there be more resources for all the various departments and faculty - yes. Does the library compare to that of a state flagship or Ivy- no. (My son would have chosen the University of Michigan or Yale for undergrad just because of their libraries.)
But they are constantly investing in the campus - a music building was built while my son was there, new dorms after (replacing his beloved freshman much maligned trailer dorm.) The Fisher Center is a terrific performance hall, unique for a small college.
And, as for engagement, the faculty is absolutely focused and devoted to its students. I admit I never heard much about the administration, per se, only the professors. But we never ran into any issues.
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Hey, jumping in here… I don’t get the sense that the staff and faculty are spread thin. On the contrary, they seem well supported. During ASD on Saturday, I was v impressed with how “healthy” all the presenters were. I say this as an academic myself, married to a chair of a department— I can smell disgruntled faculty from a mile away.
I also recall hearing from Mackie Seibens that there’s not a lot of turn-over with faculty, leading me to believe that it’s a good place to work, research and live. Happy, fulfilled, respected academics make the best teachers.
@SpiritManager Thanks for your generous, experienced, reply above. You affirmed my impression that, yes, Bard is both bucolic and scrappy. The grounds and the institution.
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@spiritmanager has been really helpful here and in DMs. Very generous and thorough with advice and it is very appreciated. These are really tough decisions and a lot of money on the line. To have someone walk you through and offer advice, pros and cons, especially during this weird time of Covid, is really helpful.
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I concur. My father was in academia and I got the same impression. And taking this a step further - there is an opportunity not only for access but personal relationships with professors that I really admire. I realize the science program is small and wanted to make sure it didn’t appear under resourced, so when we joined the virtual tour a minute late and they were in the basement (without context), I nearly died. Happy to conclude the labs at ground level are more than fine!
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Have a great time tomorrow! Let us know your thoughts and experience.
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How’d it go today?!
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It went well - a bit cold. She had a hard time with just the driving tour - hard to “connect.” But they are going back tomorrow as she has an outdoor meeting with a faculty member - so maybe they will be able to walk around a little (not sure). It is supposed to be nice weather too. She likes the surrounding villages but kept saying “it is so different from what I’m used to.” She is a city girl - grew up in an urban area. Also visited Sarah Lawrence and said that the location there is more what she likes.
But…She loves Bard (really) and I think it will probably be her pick.
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We had our tour yesterday. Wow, the campus is gorgeous. I swear the air smelled so clean and fresh! We had a walking tour which was helpful bc we could ask questions related to my child’s specific major.
I got a sense that the atmosphere there is extremely supportive and the staff and faculty really have a vested interest in the success of the students. They encourage students to try different classes and changing your mind on your major is welcome. Our guide told us that you rarely ever hear NO at Bard but rather, let’s see how we can make something work.
Buildings are a combo of old world, castle looking building and much newer modern style buildings. We couldn’t go in to any, but peered in windows.
On the drive there, I felt a little uneasy bc it really is rural and out of the way. The surrounding towns are quaint and likely will be just enough for what my daughter needs to feel at home. Shuttles run to and from the adjacent towns and grocery store every hour,so students have access to life outside of the campus if they desire. We took a drive to Kingstown which is about 15 min and it is a strip of big box stores, fast food restaurants etc.
My daughter is a music major and there is no doubt in my mind that the Arts are very well funded, celebrated and supported at Bard.
Overall, it was a great trip.
One week to decide. Our other school is a polar opposite HUGE state university!
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@Pl1277 We were there earlier this week. Once we got off the interstate enroute to Bard, that was the longest 40 minutes we’ve experienced!
@bfahopeful The campus is so beautiful. My S said it looked like a place I’d visit and sit with my glass of wine. He wasn’t wrong!
Glad you both had wonderful visits!
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Well, it’s official! My daughter accepted her offer!
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