<p>Our son is at Bard, and although he may well end up a classic liberal, he’s going to be a classic contrarian along the way. One thing I love about Bard is how it isn’t as politically correct as some other schools in its category. Our son has been encouraged to dissent – but every student is expected to support opinions with well-honed arguments (both oral and written). It is really an environment in which students are expected to think for themselves. I graduated from one Ivy League school and teach at another, and I am constantly impressed by the education that is offered at Bard. First-rate faculty members who are readily available to undergraduates. On-going intense discussions that range far beyond the classroom. Incredible one-on-one mentoring available if you look for it. There appear to be pockets of every possible kind of student, including straight-edge – you just might need to look beyond your dorm hallway to find your pocket. But arts, hard sciences, and political economy are all well represented. We – and he – are so glad he ended up there!</p>
<p>Wow, xeno, that is one of the most inspirational tributes to a school I’ve ever seen, certainly on CC. I’m taking my D there in April-- it hasn’t been high on her list, but I hope she is taken with it, because it sounds like a dream place to get an education. Thank you for sharing that.</p>
<p>Xeno, you have described to a T the environment in which my son would thrive. Thank you for your insight!</p>
<p>I cant find answers I’m looking for. How r econ and math departments at Bard?</p>
<p>The econ department seems like it would be good, mostly due to the fact that Bard houses the Levy Economics Institute.</p>
<p>Here is a quote from Bard’s website
</p>
<p>[::</a> Levy Economics Institute of Bard College ::](<a href=“Levy Economics Institute of Bard College”>Levy Economics Institute of Bard College)</p>
<p>lulu, there aren’t a lot of math majors at Bard. Recently, my freshman daughter decided that would be her major, based on a love of her math classes and a love of her homework. And I couldn’t be more thrilled.</p>
<p>The professors are all over her. There is constant help and individual attention whether you want it or not.</p>
<p>Bard is contrarian ---- they hire professors when other schools are downsizing, because President Botstein says that’s when you get your best picks. Also contrarian is going to a broad-based liberal arts college that emphasizes a broad-based education while embracing the arts with all eight arms, and then majoring in math or a science.</p>
<p>I guess if you’re comparing math at Bard to math at MIT, well, you got me there. However, I think you’ll find the same classes and similar requirements, but get a whole lot more attention at Bard.</p>
<p>Thank you guys!</p>
<p>I need first hand experience for economics. Bard is definiely my first choice! Although I didn’t visit the school, I fell in love with it. I talked to a few students and professors. They are wonderful. 
<3
I applied for the Levy Scholarship. Do you know anyone who got the scholarship? </p>
<p>@heyball
That’s terrific! I checked their math profs and almost all of them graduated from the Ivies so I guess their math deparment is very good.
Is your duaghter planning on going to grad school? I’d love to study applied mathematics afterwards. Are there many math majors who continue their math education?</p>
<p>Does anyone know whats the avergae need-based FA for internationals? </p>
<p>BTW. I know the decisions will be out by the end of March. Does anyone know the excat day?</p>
<p>Another question.</p>
<p>Will I find out whether I got the Levy Scholarship with my decision letter (if I get in, of course) or I have to wait for fin aid offer?
I saw some people got in as the DDS scholars and then received their scholarship.</p>
<p>
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<p>I believe continuing education is a big piece of it, but since my daughter is only a freshman, her post-Bard plans are not yet on her radar, which is fine.</p>
<p>A very high percentage of Bard students go on to grad school. I’m sure math is no different, but I don’t have specific stats on math.</p>
<p>luluzg, if you’re interested, it would be in your best interest to contact the math chair with your questions. I’m betting they’ll be all over you as well. ;)</p>
<p>I think it’s better to see whether Im accepted or not. If I am, I’ll definitely contact them. Tnx for advices guys! :)</p>
<p>I graduated from Bard in '82, and went on to get a PhD and a law degree. Leon Botstein was president when I was there. My son is attending in the fall. </p>
<p>Bard is not for everyone - but the two things that makes it really special are the access to the professors, and the fact that they encourage kids to do both arts and sciences. My son thrives on individual attention, which he will get at Bard, and would not have rec’d at the Ivies or other big name schools. I am thrilled my son is going there, and 100% confident he will love it and get a great education.</p>
<p>I wanted to thank everyone for all the wonderful input on Bard, but to let you know that my son picked Grinnell. The decision went down to the wire, and I know he would have had a great experience at Bard if he had chosen it.</p>
<p>Good luck to your son! My son’s good friend chose Grinnell, is there currently as a freshman, and loves it. His only gripe is the location and weather. My son ended up choosing Bard, and will attend in the fall. Although coming from Southern California, I’m sure the weather at Bard is going to be just as big an adjustment for him as Grinnell’s weather was for his friend!</p>
<p>what were your extracurriculars like? My son is interested in Bard. (he’s a junior now). He has good SAT scores (a bit higher than yours) and he does a lot of guitar playing in his own band and some peer tutoring at his school, but no other extracurriculars.</p>
<p>My son is very interested in Bard; he is visiting/interviewing there in 2 weeks. We think he has a decent shot at admission…he has a strong SAT score, an OK GPA (close to a 3.6UW now after a very nice end to his Jr. year) and he is an actor (most of his ECs are in community theater/music) who wants to study neuroscience but remain very active in theater during college.</p>
<p>This thread is very interesting given that!</p>
<p>Hey guys,I am attending Bard this Fall as Levy Econ Institute Scholar…Is anyone else in the thread who is into the same thing…? Wanted to start knowing you guys…</p>
<p>unitedacademy - luluzg is also going to be attending as a Levy Econ Institute Scholar. I’m sure she’d be happy if you sent her a pm.</p>