<p>I need a moderate safety that will offer good merit aid. I'm looking to be an environmental science or neuroscience major and take a lot of language classes, particularly French and Arabic (though I will give up Arabic if need be). I'll probably apply to med./grad. school (international healthcare), so reputation is a concern. I can only visit one -- I love Bard's instant decision program (and I'd almost be guaranteed a hefty scholarship), but I'm worried about it being too artsy and not reputable enough. Any advice?</p>
<p>Personally, I would favor Smith over Bard for several reasons, including particular strength in sciences and languages. I believe that it is, overall, a more fundamentally sound, mainstream institution -- financially, management, consistency of programs, academics, reputation, diversity of student body, mission, etc. </p>
<p>Bard seems to fall more in the "alternative" college category from everything I can tell.</p>
<p>Thanks...another poster said it did have a strong sciences program. Maybe it's just trying to develop one?</p>
<p>It would be easier to give you hard data on Bard if they published any on their website: financial reports, common data set, distribution of majors, etc. </p>
<p>The number of faculty in the sciences is sparse -- an indication that the majors may not be popular. Bard is heavily arts oriented.</p>
<p>About 6.5% of Smith grads last year majored in biological sciences. Another 4+% majored in physical sciences. Those are pretty significant numbers, indicative of healthy, solid departments at a school of Smith's resources and overall academic reputation.</p>
<p>I agree with Interesteddad. Bard is TRYING to build its science program, but it's not quite there yet. That's good news in terms of admissions chances for science types, but not so good news if you're looking for a school with a solid and established pre-med reputation.</p>
<p>Since you're interested in medical school, I'd suggest either Dickinson, which has a good pre-med record as well as a solid language program, or Franklin and Marshall as better alternatives. Smith, however, would also be an excellent choice because they work hard there to get you where you want to go.</p>
<p>The science opportunities at Smith are much stronger than at Bard (or at Dickinson or Franklin & Marshall). 40-50 students per year receive STRIDE scholarships, paid research assistantships, most of them in the sciences, for the first two years. Many of them are in Steve Williams DNA sequencing/genomics lab, one of the national centers for same. They've also just established a new Center for Molecular Biology, which will also provide for an additional 20 summer internships in science research above of what they already have. They are also have a certificate program with the 5-Colleges in Culture, Health, and Society, which includes public health-related internships.</p>
<p>Bard is busy building up a reputation in that area, but they are clearly not there yet. </p>
<p>Just under 18% of the student body at Smith majors in languages/area studies, which is slightly higher than at Middlebury. They are particular known for Romance languages, and have the longest established JYA programs in western Europe (Florence, Geneva, Paris, and Hamburg.) Languages at Bard are excellent as well.</p>
<p>What is the merit aid situation like at Smith?</p>
<p>You might also consider Mount Holyoke--they have an excellent reputation for sending people to graduate school in the sciences.</p>
<p>I suspect Bard might be too "laid back" for you, but a visit would help you decide.</p>
<p>"What is the merit aid situation like at Smith?"</p>
<p><a href="http://www.smith.edu/finaid/scholgrnt.php%5B/url%5D">http://www.smith.edu/finaid/scholgrnt.php</a></p>