We’re intrigued by a lot of aspects of Bard College for our daughter, who will be a HS junior this fall - the conservatory and their great English and writing programs, especially (she’s a classical/operatic soprano and literature/writing person who wants to study both English/writing and voice in college). We’ve been getting admissions emails and mailings from them, and they are all geared toward Bard’s “early college” option, where students can leave HS early and start at Bard after 10th or 11th grade - and that probably isn’t the option our daughter would want to pursue (she wants to graduate HS with her friends here, and then go off to college). How is Bard for students who start there after graduating from 12th grade, as opposed to students who start there earlier? Do those students end up feeling out of sync with most of the student population, or are there a lot of Bard students who do that?
My S got a double degree in the conservatory and college (Classics and Music Composition.) He had a terrific experience. I think you have a misconception of Bard College versus Bard Early College at Simon’s Rock. They’re completely separate. There is only a small contingent of students at Bard College who also attended the Early College, which is a completely separate campus in a different state - the vast majority of students are on the conventional undergrad path.
Oh thank you @SpiritManager - yes, I didn’t realize that! All of the materials we’ve received from Bard so far are for the Early College campus - that’s what was confusing me. Thanks!
So glad to hear your son had such a good experience getting his double degree! And I’m happy to hear that most Bard students are on the conventional path. I just learned online that the Bard undergraduate vocal performance program isn’t through the conservatory, but through the college - so it looks like the double degree with the conservatory wouldn’t actually be a possibility for my daughter, unfortunately :-(. The college’s undergraduate vocal program DOES look quite good, though - if you have any knowledge of that program from your son’s years at Bard, I would love to have it.
Agree with above. I’ve known people who have attended both colleges. Simon’s Rock is lovely and in another state, albeit close to the main Bard College campus. People I’ve known who have attended the main Bard Campus tend to really love its arty and intellectual vibe. It’s also a gorgeous spread-out campus in the woods, and along the Hudson River. there are traditional buildings and modern buildings, but crucially the modern buildings are not just cinderblock bricks thrown down someplace as often seems the case in many campuses with modern buildings. Many are beautiful architectural masterpieces. (IMHO). Google Bard’s concert hall, for the prime example. It’s designed by Gehry and is quite gorgeous. Also, the music program is wonderful and Bard has strong relations to NYC for performance and some graduate programs. For the right person, Bard is a wonderful school.