<p>hey guys,
Though this is my first post, I’m no stranger to the forum. I have done much lurking when it came to checking out colleges, so it’s cool to be finally posting! </p>
<p>As of right now, I will be a freshman at one of the University of Connecticut’s regional schools. I discovered Bard College shortly after I sent in my deposit for my current school, which is unfortunate because I really love the school and the school’s overall emphasis on learning. I intend on staying at my current school for two semesters and apply as a transfer student for my sophmore year.</p>
<p>This is a sound plan, yet I am worried about being denied due to a mediocre high school transcript. Throughout my high school career I did not take any interest in sports, I literally did about two extra curricular activities and spent all my time becoming ‘well read’, or rather, pursuing my interests, literature and philosophy. Now I have aspirations of gaining a ph.D in literature, become a translator, and essentially a writer, aspirations I hope Bard will take notice of and accept me as a literature major.</p>
<p>I had recently called the college asking if my lack of EC’s would be a hindrance, and they told me that a transfer application shows what one has done after high school, which was nice to hear. Yet I am now wondering if a lack of EC’s from my freshman year of college would be a major hindrance, as I have come to understand that Bard places importance on such things. I am hoping that when I do apply, my aspirations would balance out a lack of EC’s, so I am asking current Bardians, what role did EC’s play in your acceptance? Did you have a myriad or was your application totally void? As I have said, I’ve lurked around this site before and it was certainly disconcerting to see posters say Bard is their safety school and then list all of their accomplishments. What chance does someone like myself have? I know that I can write great essays and acquire just as great of recommendations, so those I am not worring about. Feel free to mention any other transfer experiences you have had, I would love to hear it! For those whom have read this, thank you for your time!</p>
<p>I was totally in your boat. I went to an annoyingly competitive high school (annoyingly as in, the top of the class was a bunch of [freshly immigrated] blase idiots who spent all their free time group studying). I, the heretic, enjoyed high school hedonistically and barely broke a 90 average. Spent the past year at a really awful local commuter school, did tons of independent traveling, reading, etc., easily obtained a 4.0,</p>
<p>in other words, the past year gave me (and will give you) a chance to find out exactly what type of person I am, and, instead of thinking that you’re being chancy by taking a leap, simply write in your commonapp essay about what led you down an incorrect path in high school, and how your view on a college education has evolved. Bard more than any other school will appreciate that</p>
<p>And far more importantly: schedule an interview. I had next to no ECs in high school/college (except for an interesting job) and the interviewer was far more impressed by my job than any silly club I could’ve joined. We chatted for close to an hour about my interests, politics, and culture very conversationally… if your personality shines and appears to mesh with the student body, you’ll be a shoe-in</p>
<p>What were your grades like in high school? Bard would certainly be more interested in those rather then your lack of participation in sports. However, I think the most important thing to Bard is your essays and passions. From your post it sounds like your really into lit/philosophy, which is something that Bard would definitely look upon favorably. </p>
<p>As for myself I had pretty weak HS ECs and still managed to get into Bard. I know that my interview went pretty well, and I did a good job of demonstrating my passion for science in my essay. My essay and interview probably played a much greater role in my acceptance than my ECs. </p>
<p>Anyways, you sound like a great fit for Bard. Also, I agree with Nizorel about setting up an interview. Best of luck!</p>
<p>Hey thanks for the replies! My grades in hih school were fine, I was an average B student, the only AP class I took was an AP English course, which I passed with a steadfast B+. I have had a part time job since my senior year (which now that it is summer, I usually work 30-40 hours a week) which I intend on keeping, just doing about 16 hour work weeks. Between that and balancing my school work, I feel as though I won’t have time for any EC’s! Would it be a bad idea to just have no EC’s, perhaps a stellar freshman transcript, great rec’s, and essays would negate such? I defintely plan on having an interview! Again, thank you for your time :)</p>
<p>see, 98% of schools in this country, I’d say “that might be a little risky,” but Bard is just ridiculously holistic in their application review. You have nothing to worry about</p>
<p>No reason you can’t get involved in EC’s at your current college. Might even make getting a recommendation letter easier, since if you choose wisely, the club will be advised by a prof who then will get to know you better than most of the first year students there.</p>
<p>Can transfer applicants sign up for Bard’s IDP admission program? If so, it’s an excellent way for you to get to know the school (and vice-versa). I think it’s in November but I believe you need to sign up right away as spaces tend to fill quickly.</p>
<p>Transfer students cannot apply for the IDP program or early action, so says the website, which is disappointing because I would love a chance to see the school, even though this school is my top choice, and what I consider a high reach. It could have worked in my favor. But on the topic of EC’s, I will certainly attempt to join a club or take part in an activity next year, but it is nice to know that Bard will take into account other aspects of my transcript. </p>
<p>Another question I had was actually sending in the application itself. The deadline for the fall semester 2011 is March 15th, would it be beneficial to send the application a month before let’s say, or right before the deadline is due? I realize that just because an application was sent relatively early, an anwser will not come early, as colleges usually send anwsers together. Would my app. be buried under thousands of others, or if I sent it in right before would they get to mine first? I’m not sure if any posters here could enlighten me on this, but I figure it’s worth asking! I’m also thinking about sending the school a letter with my second semester grades (as they won’t be out by the time the app. is originally sent in), explaining how much I’d like to attend Bard. I have to say, Bard is my dream school and though it is a reach from a mediocre student such as myself, I feel as though it’s a possiblity if next year at my current college goes well, same with an interview at Bard. For me it is difficult knowing what chance I have at the school because I have seen so many students post with an incredibly well off stats, where I have no such thing! But these posts have cleared a few things up for me, thank you again!</p>