<p>Hey! So I applied to Bard through the entrance exam, I think applicants are going to hear back tomorrow but it does say “by” the 31st. </p>
<p>Has anyone heard anything? </p>
<p>Also, generally, what was your opinion on the exam? Was it a worthwhile experience for you? I’m starting to get a little nervous, I don’t even know if they’re emailing or mailing decisions. </p>
<p>I think the exam is great! The questions and the readings were no joke. Do realize, however, that they will request your transcript and counsellor reco if you get in. I suspect this is not just for institutional data-keeping or whatever but also for determining how much aid to give to you.</p>
<p>I love the admissions exam conceptually, I think it was a great idea. Hmm, that makes me a little nervous though because I’m a high need applicant. Do you mean simply like give less aid if they don’t want the student that got in as much? I know that Bard is need-blind in admissions but I don’t know what that means for the actual aid packages…</p>
<p>Bard will give better aid to applicants that they like more, and often that means that those applicants have really great transcripts. Yeah, they are need-blind, but do not promise to meet full need. So whose need will they meet? That’s a tough question, but it’s not really tough if you think about it. Bard’s financial aid distribution practices are not very different from those of Sarah Lawrence, for instance: both these schools will consider the student’s academic profile while giving aid. If Bard did not require the transcript/reco until after you enrolled, I would think otherwise, but since it does, oh well…</p>
<p>Anyway, hope for the best. I’m sure they’ll try to meet your need if you averaged an A on the exam.</p>
<p>While I’m talking about Bard’s aid policies, I must say, Bard does not have its priorities right. Its endowment is higher than those of schools like Kenyon and Bates, yet it cannot meet the need of all admitted applicants. The need-blind policy is a nightmare when you don’t promise to meet need!</p>
<p>My D also applied with the entrance exam, and she hasn’t received any word yet…She wrote the 4 essays in 6 days over the holiday break, and found it challenging in that short stretch of time, but at the same time did seem to find it an enriching experience (such a mom thing to say, I know :). Good luck to you!</p>
<p>Just received an email stating that I passed the exam! </p>
<p>I was really nervous because I didn’t have any idea what sort of standards they were grading the essays by. I’m very happy about this, they said now I just have to complete my file to be “officially” admitted. (That just means send in official transcript and a character reference) </p>
<p>Congrats, Riverx1! My D is in the group of applicants that got a B avg. and are invited to submit the Common App. Since she is a junior, and therefore hadn’t completed the App, this means that she has until Feb. 8 to fill it in and get recommendations, etc. Not sure if it is possible or worth it considering she could just try applying next year. You must be very excited! I was surprised to hear that only 50 students completed the entrance exam.</p>
<p>A B average is definitely an accomplishment! I wasn’t so surprised to hear it was only fifty after I gave it some thought. Most students who are smart enough to get in through the bard exam could also get in through the easier general admissions process. I was more surprised that out of those 50 only 17 got a qualifying score. </p>
<p>Well, not that my opinion counts for much,and the decision has probably been made, but if your daughter was motivated enough to finish this application then I think she should submit the common app. It gives her a great opportunity to move on from high school to an intense academic setting more suited to her interests. You could probably get them to give you some more time for recommendations and transcripts, 8 days seems a little unreasonable for that portion. </p>
<p>The New York Times reports on the results of the first go-round of the new Entrance Exam at Bard: <a href=“Bard College Applicants Trade 10,000 Words for Two: You’re In - The New York Times”>Bard College Applicants Trade 10,000 Words for Two: You’re In - The New York Times;
<p>Hi Spiritmanager, I applied to Bard through the Exam also, but my application was due Nov. 1 2014 and I should hear from them by the end of this month (December). However, you heard in January. Was your application for last year? When was yours due?</p>
<p>@kokino - Fingers crossed for you that you get good news. However, I’m the parent of an alum now - my son graduated last May (double degree with the conservatory.) You should be hearing soon!</p>
<p>Ok, thanks anyway!</p>