<p>The only one I’m uncertain about applying to is Bard. I’ve only visited Hampshire and I loved it, Clark as well. From what I’ve read, I’d fit in well with the liberal/quirky/politically-active environment at any of these schools. I know the basics, but what are the major differences that you noticed, or that turned you on or off from any of these? Which gives the best financial aid? I love Hampshire and SLCs narrative evaluations. and I’m interested in studying some combination of Literature/Writing, Psychology, and Women’s Studies.</p>
<p>Four threads for the exact same question is a bit much, don’t you think?</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sarah-lawrence-college/1416863-clark-u-vs-hampshire-college-vs-sarah-lawrence-vs-bard.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sarah-lawrence-college/1416863-clark-u-vs-hampshire-college-vs-sarah-lawrence-vs-bard.html</a></p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/clark-university/1416861-clark-u-vs-hampshire-college-vs-sarah-lawrence-vs-bard.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/clark-university/1416861-clark-u-vs-hampshire-college-vs-sarah-lawrence-vs-bard.html</a></p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/bard-college/1416859-hampshire-college-vs-sarah-lawrence-vs-bard-vs-clark-u.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/bard-college/1416859-hampshire-college-vs-sarah-lawrence-vs-bard-vs-clark-u.html</a></p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/hampshire-college/1416857-hampshire-college-vs-sarah-lawrence-vs-bard-vs-clark-u.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/hampshire-college/1416857-hampshire-college-vs-sarah-lawrence-vs-bard-vs-clark-u.html</a></p>
<p>Yes, it is definitely overkill. But on other comparison threads, I always see advice to cross-post to the specific college forums to avoid bias.</p>
<p>Well, on the Bard site, you’re likely to get pro-Bard advice, so here it goes. I visited all those except Clark with my daughter. We rejected Hampshire partly because the campus was so ugly and partly because we did not like the five college concept. It seemed that the students spent little time on their own campus. We are fans of the “bubble” effect of a small liberal arts college. Sarah Lawrence would be okay, but it is very close to where we live and my daughter wanted to go away to school. Also, it is in an unattractive area of Yonkers near shopping malls. Bard, on the other hand, is in a beautiful rural area, though an easy 2 and a half hour drive to NYC. It had everything my daughter was looking for and she’s loving it. Regarding your academics, you can design your own program and it seems your interests would fit in. By the way, have you considered Bennington?</p>
<p>Thank you very much for the insight! I actually really like the five-college concept, but the “bubble” effect perspective is interesting. If I’m accepted and do an overnight stay I’ll certainly look for that. I have similar concerns to your daughter about wanting to be away from home. I live on Long Island, so SLC is far enough away for me. Bard does sound wonderful. My stats might be a bit low for it, but I think I’ll try. 3.4 UW/ 3.7 W, not sending ACT, but my essay and recs are VERY strong and explain some extenuating circumstances that affected grades. I’ve also heard about moderation at Bard. Can you explain more about that? Is it incredibly difficult to get put into the major/course study you want? What happens if you don’t get accepted to the one you want to be in?</p>
<p>The difficulty of moderation depends on the department. If fields such as studio art, photo, music, and film, people are competing for physical space (studios) so those tend to be more difficult than other departments. However, in general the process of moderation seems to be more about figuring out if the area of study you’ve chosen is really what you WANT to do and whether or not it’s in your best interest (like, if you don’t get good grades, the process is about whether you should continue that path or try another path that seems like a better “fit”). If you don’t get accepted, you don’t get that major. But getting rejected from a major is RARE. I only know of 2 people in my time at Bard who have been rejected during moderation. If your board isn’t sure if your major is right for you, you are much more likely to be deferred (I was deferred from Writing, accepted to Lit) which is actually not a bad situation to be in. In the case of my writing, I was deferred so that I could get a chance to take classes in my chosen field of writing, as opposed to what I had managed to get into. My moderation board realized that poetry wasn’t what I wanted to do so deferred me to give me a chance to moderate in non-fiction or fiction (I ended up not pursuing writing as a major).</p>
<p>Moderation seems like this big, looming dark cloud, but really, it’s an hour long conversation between you, your advisor, and two professors in your department (usually who are familiar with your work, but this also depends on the department. Some departments require a professor who you’ve never had before) about what you’ve taken from your studies so far and where you want to go with them. It’s a process, that to me, makes sure that you’re going into a department that you’re excited/passionate about. There are obviously people who by-pass that sentiment, but in light of Senior Project, it is pretty important to you and the school that you choose a department that you enjoy, otherwise (as my friends and I are realizing right now), Senior Project will truly be miserable instead of difficultly enlightening.</p>
<p>Sorry for the essay, but I think moderation is pretty important to the way Bardians interact. Many students are truly excited about what they’re studying and want to share what they know, something that I think is partially brought out by the moderation/senior project process and partially due to the kinds of people Bard attracts. If you have any more questions about moderation or anything about Bard, don’t hesitate to ask.</p>
<p>My daughter just moderated! She felt very confident about her chosen field, but she said she got more and more nervous as her board members kept asking her questions. In the end they said, well obviously you’ve moderated… But they did ask her to re-write some of her paper to clarify a few items. All in all, it did not sound too scary.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t worry about low stats. Bard is one of the few colleges that honestly look at the whole person and not just the numbers.</p>
<p>Thank you so much! Your answers are very helpful. 
Out of the four identical threads I posted, this one has been the most active and informative. I think I’ll be applying, I appreciate the insight into moderation.</p>
<p>No, not overkill. On comparison threads, one should post on the relevant forums to reach all those who would have an opinion.</p>
<p>Also looking</p>
<p>I can’t comment on Sarah Lawrence but applied to Bard, Clark and Hampshire. I’m a sophomore at Bard and really love it. </p>
<p>I fell in love with Hampshire because of the excitement the students seemed to have about their div 2 and 3 projects and the students were really engaged in the classes I visited. Financial Aid was nowhere near what I was hoping for. Bard and Hampshire are quite different in their structure because Bard has First year seminar (FYSEM), distribution requirements, requirements in a major and grades. To do well at Hampshire I think you need to be really self motivated and enjoy going after things beyond what you’re assigned. </p>
<p>At the Clark info session I was impressed by the interest in service projects in the community. Bard also has a lot of service projects if that’s something you’re interested in. Clark’s financial aid was between Bard and Hampshire. </p>
<p>I like Bard because I enjoy the fact that most students work hard in classes and many have interesting things to say in discussions. I like having all small classes (true of all those schools). The campus is gorgeous and it’s fun to hike on campus and off. And I’ve been in some really excellent classes where I’m sad if I can’t finish the week’s reading because I have to get a paper done. </p>
<p>Bard also has crite sheets which is basically a paragraph or two professors write about you at the end of the semester (sometimes midterm time too). These are not shared when you send your transcripts and are not instead of grades but do give you more personal feedback than just grades. </p>
<p>From what I know Bard’s Lit/Writing programs are very strong. There are always a ton of classes in those subjects and I’ve heard good things about a number of professors. The Psychology department has more of a research bent and I know people who are interested in counseling and wish that aspect was included more. Gender and Sexuality Studies is a concentration (sort of like a minor) not a major. There is generally a sociology class on the topic each semester and a few classes in other subjects. This semester there were a lot: Women and the Economy, Reproductive Health and Human Rights, Performing Queer, Queer Theory, and 2-3 lit classes about women. </p>
<p>I think one question to figure out is if you’d do well in a more flexible curriculum or not. I’m happy to answer more specific questions.</p>