<p>My academic/intellectual experience here has been pretty great, though I will say, as great as the classes are, I’m much more impressed by the social intellectual atmosphere than the academic one because I’ve found that that’s where students’ share everything–yes, EVERYTHING–they know about anything. Everyone has their own specialties and thus brings forth those perspectives and things they know about those subjects to the conversation. I could be talking about something I read in a Hemingway novel and a friend of mine will compare it to something she learned in her biology class and another friend will chime in on a related passage in a book he read in his classics class.</p>
<p>But the classes are pretty fantastic, too. Small, some classes are more engaging (and have more students willing to engage) than others, but as a whole are pretty great.</p>
<p>Unlike the others, I actually really liked the idea of L&T… that is until it came closer and closer to happening. But I loved it. My professor was amazing, engaging, nurturing, and allowed us to run with our ideas–we even made a stop-motion film to present at the weekly L&T presentations. It definitely helped me transition to lots of reading, however, my two roommates last year barely had any reading to do. But it also helped me gear my mind into the close reading Bard wanted me to do as well as help hone my thoughts in an academic environment.</p>
<p>Depending on the professor, yes. Most are available to talk at any given time (email, phone, office hours, appointments) and are willing to help you even if it has nothing to do with the class and just need to talk to someone. I’ve asked past professors who I felt comfortable with advice and they were very helpful. However, it’s mostly your advisor’s job to nurture you and help you with anything.</p>
<p>The administration, not really, no. It’s not that they aren’t particularly nurturing, but they’re geared more towards you being an individual with responsibilities that you have to deal with like an adult. That isn’t to say that they won’t help you with any problems–that’s certainly not the case. The administration as a whole is pretty chaotic so it’s hard for them to be nurturing, I guess.</p>
<p>As stated before, professors are available to students all the time. They want you to be successful. Most are fantastic here, some are good, others are okay. But no matter what the class or who the professor is, I always get something out of each class, even if it’s just exposure to new and interesting books that I enjoyed.</p>
<p>Depends on the class, level, department, etc. I would say the hardest to get into are the classes in the arts because of a) the amount of people applying and b) it’s based on your body of work rather than you signing up for it. I’ve gotten into all of my first choice classes in some semesters, and none (or only a couple) of my first choice classes in others. It’s relatively easy if the class you’re trying to get into is in your department, especially if you’re an unmoderated student/about to graduate (as they have to get their requirements out of the way), but as a whole, it’s fairly easy. People tend to email the profs of classes they want to get into/stop by their office during their office hours to express interest in the class which also helps.</p>
<p>I’d say yes, however I know some people who would say no. It all really depends on if you find your niche. But everyone seems to root for everyone else.</p>
<p>The social life is multifaceted. There aren’t parties all the time, but there are a decent amount on campus and off. I haven’t nor have heard of any peer pressure problems. Kids usually ask if you want something and won’t harp on it if you don’t. We’re also not as one-note in our style as people seem to thing. Yes, lots of hipsters here. But we also have jocks, musicians (from folk, to opera, to rock, to gypsy-punk, to latin jazz, to just jam sessions, etc), hippies, etc. Each comes with its own culture and a willingness to share it with everyone else.</p>
<p>Both are here. And, with the exception of this year (we’ve had rise in the amount of alcohol-related medical incidents), everyone has seemed to be able to handle both in moderation. It’s not a problem if you do both, one or the other, or neither, socially. People here just want you to have a good time, no matter what you drink, take, or don’t do. I think the administration has a good policy on it. They don’t condemn the acts; they don’t want you to make dumb decisions. I kind of view the way the administration deals with it the same way my parents did–do what you want, just know that drugs are illegal, alcohol is illegal if you’re under 21, don’t get sick, don’t make a mess, don’t do something stupid (i.e. drink and drive), clean up after yourself. The main concern is that whatever you do, you’re safe and okay. And if you’re not, they’re going to do everything they can to make you safe and okay. </p>
<p>This is not them condoning the acts, but rather encouraging that doing anything, while irresponsible in and of itself, is done with responsibility and not in excess. They do not condemn experience, but if you’re caught (which honestly, is pretty hard UNLESS you’re doing stupid stuff), you’ll have to deal with the consequences (I’m not entirely sure, but I think the first time you’re caught you just have to talk to your area coordinator [the person in charge of an entire living area. Like a Super-RA] about it, the second time your parents are called and will probably be put on social probation [though SOPRO has been given on the first time, too], and the third is a meeting about how to curb the problem/stop the development of a problem [i.e. taking time off from school, rehab, etc. that not exclusive. I just don’t know what else kids have gotten]. Some kids have gotten community service hours as a consequence as well). </p>
<p>Also, they don’t look too kindly upon students who get into trouble and don’t have good academic standing. It’s a problem if it’s interfering with your work and Bard’s mission is to help us engage with the world as actively, passionately, and independently as we can. You can’t do that if you show up to class all the time drunk or are too messed up to even come.</p>
<p>Sorry for my novel of a response!</p>