How does Bard fair in terms of prestige?

<p>How many people know about Bard? Will getting a job/in graduate school be difficult with Bard credentials? Basically, what’s the school’s academic reputation?</p>

<p>Depends on which field. For some programs, like photography and creative writing (maybe others, those are just the two I’m most familiar with), Bard’s name resonates strongly.</p>

<p>The thing is, people at Bard tend to care more about the content of their education than the name on the piece of paper. If you go to Bard, you will be a participant in small seminars where you absolutely will have to be on top of your game academically, and you will complete a senior project. Both prepare students very well for post graduation opportunities. The name won’t open doors in the business world the way, say, Wharton, would…but what you achieve there might.</p>

<p>Hmm thank you for responding! I’m thinking about majoring in psychology and haven’t heard much about Bard’s program but from what I gather, the professors are really good and the course is rigorous. </p>

<p>And of course, I’m not going to choose a college simply for its prestige - I want to learn and meet amazing new people! But how others see a Bard degree is something I should consider seeing as having a job does carry some weigh in society.</p>

<p>Forbes - American most expensive college to attand, bard is on the top 10 list if that’s the prestige you would think. According to my friend from Bard, that’s the only news he found bard famous somehow. True, the school is famous for its creative writing and photography. However aside of that, you shouldn’t expect more prestige.</p>

<p>The average person will not know Bard. It’s a tiny LAC in the middle of the woods in upstate NY. However, in terms of where it matters (IMO), when I’ve told academics, people in my area of study (creative writing), etc., they’re impressed. It’s one of the only colleges that is still a strong LAC and truly believes in the value of a liberal arts education. It is also one of the only colleges that is trying to revolutionize education internationally (Smoly College in Russia, Al-Quds in Palestine, etc). Since I’m a creative writing major, people in my field will probably be more aware of Bard’s existence than in the psychology field, but I’m not too sure. The psych program here is pretty good, so it made hold more ground that I know. But this certainly isn’t a school that is under the radar as many seem to assume.</p>

<p>lilygraces, do you know about the physics and mathematics programs at Bard? Do a lot of people tend to major in these fields and is it a good school, as far as facilities etc. for doing a science or math degree?</p>

<p>I don’t know MUCH about the physics and math programs here, but my roommate of 2 years is a double major in those two subjects so I can help out a little.</p>

<p>I would say that more people major in math than physics (but this could be wrong. I just met more math majors than physics majors). The department is not huge; I think biology and math have the most amount of students majoring in them as far as the sciences/math go. From what I hear it’s pretty excellent. I wish I could give you my own take on experiencing them, but math and science are the two distribution requirements I haven’t taken yet. It’s small, which allows you to get LOTS of one-on-one time with professors. The professors also often ask students to help them with their research without competition from others who are clamoring to bulk up their resumes with research experience. The professors are incredibly available for extra help. My roommate goes to all of her professors’ office hours. We also have things like “Math Study” in which, I believe, a bunch of students get together and help each other with their math/science/etc. homework. Also, your intro classes will be miniscule compared to most other colleges, except for other very small LACs. </p>

<p>This is all I can recall at the moment, but I’ve spoken about the math and sciences here on other threads. Don’t hesitate to ask me anymore questions; I’ll ask my roommate if I don’t know the answer/if you want a personal experience about it.</p>

<p>Thank you! It seems like Bard has a pretty impressive program in those areas for being a liberal arts college, and the small size/contact with professors is a definite plus. I had my friend look at the college catalouge for mathematics and he was really impressed considering the size of the school. I got accepted as a transfer and I am waiting to see back from the other colleges I applied to. I really want to go to Reed College, but Bards sounds great-especially compared to the community college I go to…haha. I wrote about researching with professors in my essay and it is great that the oppurtunity is readily available at the school. </p>

<p>This is sort of a strange question but are most people are Bard super artistically/musically inclined to the point that if you aren’t you feel alienated? I only play one instrument, albeit not that well either. The videos etc. I have seen seem to indicate a very welcoming campus, but I do not know the accuracy of them.</p>

<p>Not at all, though I might have a slightly different understanding of it because I’m in the arts, but most students here have multiple mediums of art whereas I only really have my writing. Ability is not of concern. Students just want to play with other students and for other students. Even if you’re not as good as the kid who lives down the hall from you, he/she will still want to have a jam session with you or just have you listen. </p>

<p>We get that not everyone is an artist (studio, film, photo, writing, music, etc.). We want to share our art with you and have you share whatever it is that you like to do, too! And if you’re venturing into new artistic territory, we’re happy to give you pointers if you ask, or share our favorite paintings, poems, musicians, directors with you. We’re all like sponges; we just want to absorb anything you put forth as contribution. And if you don’t at all, that’s okay too!</p>