<p>I love Bard College. I was accepted EA, and aslong as I get enough financial aid I plan on entereing next year.</p>
<p>I'd like to know what other people think of it in comparison to other LACs and other Tier 1 universities. I'd really like to go to a school with excellent academics, and from what I've heard and read, Bard is top-notch.</p>
<p>Does anyone know anything about this school? I've been on a tour and read reviews, but I want as many opinions as possible before I commit.</p>
<p>I'm posting this here because the Bard board doesn't get much action, and the people who frequent this board seem to know about EVERY college.</p>
<p>If a college doesn't have engineering, business, or international affairs, its ability to spark heated debate on college confidential is quite limited, so don't hold the lack of Bard arguments deter you from going there. You'll probably never witness a Pier 6 brawl here over whose drama department is more stellar, Bard's or Emerson's.</p>
<p>As TG mentioned, no engineering, business, or IR. Also no sciences worth considering.</p>
<p>If you want an ultra-liberal LAC without those options, Bard may be for you. Be sure to consider the location and relative isolation in making your decision.</p>
<p>Have you guys heard anything about the academics? On one site they were ranked over BU (Remember that just because my dad and I argued over which was harder to get into/better).</p>
<p>Bard's academics are, for the most part, phenomenal. With a few exceptions, the teachers are all top-notch and inspiring; those that aren't don't stay very long. Although Bard isn't very well know by the average person, it is highly regarded within academia.</p>
<p>Bard is a school that borders on the fringes of society, but its academics are good, and if you're game with that sort of thing, I'd say go for it.</p>
<p>Bard is a very intellectual place. They are looking to upgrade their sciences and have truely world class performing arts facliities, though the students usually perform in their own black box not the big hall...perhaps that will change. The area is close to some very arty areas with some interesting places to eat in shop but is otherwise, as the other poster noted, someone isolated.</p>
<p>I doubt it. First off, grad school is more important (assuming you plan on attending), and besides, while rankings are nowhere near the end-all, Bard is ranked #36, which means at the very least they must be doing something right.</p>
<p>It just seems like whenever anyone asks where I want to go and I say Bard, they give me a weird look and say "Where's that?". I do plan on doing graduate school (planning on Stanford/Harvard) so I guess it won't matter much.</p>
<p>Get used to those looks. Just about anyone attending ANY liberal arts college will get the same look, even those headed for the CC "top LACs." Part of it is that liberal arts colleges are small, and don't have the alumni base of say, a Penn State. Part of it is also that most people "recognize" certain names but don't really know a darned thing about those colleges or universities beyond that they have a good football team, or that their uncle Mike graduated from there in 1972.</p>
<p>So, what you have to decide is what matters to YOU. Is it having a decal on your car window that other people may recognize a bit more or is it going to a school that excites you? As long as you have done your homework about Bard, have spent time on campus (including an overnight in the dorms and sitting in on some classes - this is important because I know that Bard does not allow prospective students to do either until after they are admitted), and you feel it is a "fit" for your personality, academic interests, and goals, then don't fret over how other people react. Those people won't be going to college. You will. YOUR reaction is all that matters.</p>
<p>I'm applying to Bard as well.. I don't know about my chances, though.. 31 ACT, 3.4 GPA, good EC's, good Rec's, Wisconsin, etc. It does seem like an awesome place. Does anyone know any details about the English program?</p>
<p>Unfortunately, I heard Bard is full of pretentious people who think they are "so cool" because of their obscurity and quirkiness. That would suck. Any feedback?</p>
<p>I'm a senior at Bard High School Early College. We work pretty closely with the college. It's a great school for Creative Writing and the Arts, but many of its other programs are severely lacking. Its trying to expand its science department (a huge new science building) and offering some nice scholarships to the scientifically inclined. While most LACs are PC, Bard kind of takes the top spot. It's incredibly Liberal, PC and many of the students embrace anarchist/communist philosophy (sometimes to an annoyingly pretentious level).</p>