<p>I havent received any confirmation of receipt of application, application tracking… not even the response to my queries… is it even a real school></p>
<p>Maybe they didn't receive your application or it's lost...</p>
<p>Maybe you live in a remote area far away from Bard and your postal service takes a while...</p>
<p>I know that it took me a while to receive my letter of acceptance because my postal service is terrible.</p>
<p>Same here. Bard hasn't sent any acknowedgement at all about anything ever being received. It is the only school my S applied to that has been a complete vacuum.</p>
<p>I work in the Bard Admissions office. Please PM me with your information, and I'll get back to you (to confirm receipt of application ONLY).</p>
<p>Even after the PM.. no replies.. still think it's a weird place :)</p>
<p>My d got accepted via IDP and it's my impression that Bard is relatively low-key in recruitment & admissions, compared to other colleges. In some ways, it is refreshing -- maybe it's because Bard's programs, academics and professors speak for themselves? i.e., they don't need to rely heavily on sophisticated marketing, colorful brochures, and attractive acceptance packages, as other colleges do? (I found it interesting that their acceptance letter is a simple 1-page acceptance -- looks very much like a rejection letter when it arrives in the mail! :-) )</p>
<p>My d is waiting for two more schools to notify her on her application, then she will be looking very closely at Bard and her other choices, but as a parent, I would say Bard is an excellent choice for anyone that wants to explore academic subjects with the support of excellent teachers in a fairly rigorous environment. (For example, the requirement of a sr thesis of all students, and the intentional process of juniors (sophmores?) "presenting" their intended major and plan of study to a panel of profs for approval -- forgot what they called this process.)</p>
<p>My only slight concern/question is is Bard's degree valued and/or respected by the outside working world, and also graduate schools?</p>
<p>I was accepted EA and recieved no notification that my app was ever recieved. Some schools are just like that. Bard never sent me a catalouge, a booklet, a phamplet. Nothing. It's just how the school works. Actually I prefer that becasue it's better than getting all this info and really falling in love with the school and then getting rejected.</p>
<p>^^ irvinemom, process is called "moderation".</p>
<p>
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My only slight concern/question is is Bard's degree valued and/or respected by the outside working world, and also graduate schools?
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<p>When I tell people my D will attend, around 65% of the people give me a blank stare. The other 35% say, in a very hushed tone "oh my, oh wow. That place is absolutely amazing."</p>
<p>The same 35% know several very successful people who have graduated, usually over the past 30 years. The same 35% are very familiar with Leon Botstein.</p>
<p>And interestingly enough, the 35% are what I'd call "intelligent people", i.e. college professors, professionals (lawyers, CPAs), and authors. One person said to me "I'd never heard of the school until around five years ago, when I moved here. My neighbors (a married couple) both went to Bard. They're two of the most interesting people I've ever met."</p>
<p>Not a judgement, just an observation: the people from whom I get the blank stares are not what I would call "educated" people. No surprise. Everybody's heard of Harvard, even the guy at the 7-11. But it doesn't bother me that the guy at the 7-11 has never heard of Bard.</p>
<p>A very, very large percentage of Bard grads go on to graduate school, according to stats posted by the college.</p>
<p>It's not for everybody. But for those who deem it a good fit, it fits like a glove, know what I mean?</p>
<p>How is the security ar Bard? The kids have to go through the woods at night to get to other buildings.</p>
<p>^^ Security is about average or above average for that size school.</p>
<p>If you take into account the location, it's worlds above. Students complain about a lot of things at Bard.....the food, the dorms, the weather, did I mention the food? But one "social" (i.e. not educational) thing that they think deserves an "A" is safety.</p>
<p>There are woods, but there is security. There are 24-hours escorts. There are a lot of things to worry about, but I'd put that one at the bottom of the list. If you look at the crime statistics, I think there were 9-12 crimes reported overall in 2007. All were "petty", i.e. non-violent.</p>
<p>To put it in perspective, at my school there averaged 4 crimes per 24-hour period.</p>
<p>Higher: You PM'ed the person at the admissions office a month ago, and still no reply?? That's bizarre.</p>
<p>If I were you, I'd call the school.</p>
<p>Thank you heyalb! I too have gotten blank stares when I mention Bard to some people here (but unsure of the percentage breakdown between the blank stares and expressions of recognition). But personally, I am in awe of the education & course offerings at Bard. It will be an interesting month or so (before May 1) for her and the other HS seniors. She is considering Bennington, Marlboro, Goucher and maybe one more choice, in addition to Bard -- all excellent choices. She knows that she's fortunate to even have choices.</p>
<p>All that I've ever got from the admission office is an admission letter. No previous contact at all...</p>
<p>I was just going through some old papers and found a letter from Bard acknowledging receipt of D's application, so they were sending out letters back in November.</p>
<p>HI guys.. i got the same problems... this school actually sometimes is too liberal, they don;t care that much ...but call them, they will be pleased to help. I got my admission letter through email. CALL THEm!~!</p>
<p>Yea, I also found it weird how little communication happens from bard. All my other College's I have gotten into (being 7) have given me numerous letters. Moreover, I was worried about Bard's financial situation given that they have a very small endowment compared to other liberal arts colleges. Anyone able to comment on these observations in relation to going to Bard?</p>
<p>Leon Botstein spoke of the endowment when I met him. Interestingly enough, the down economy has hurt Bard *much less than *other schools with larger endowments, for obvious reasons.</p>
<p>Also, you need to look at how the endowments at other schools are used. Many schools with large endowments use those funds largely for capital improvements and overhead, not for scholarships. Moreover, endowments are "money in the bank", to be used at some point down the road. Bard does not necessarily fully embrace the "rainy day" philosophy.</p>
<p>Bard uses their endowment more for scholarships, but Botstein strongly believes there should be no free ride; he believes everybody should have a financial stake in their education. It goes to his core belief that "trust fund babies" end up like Jenna Bush.</p>
<p>Bard College has been around since the mid-1800s, and has prospered and expanded, despite recessions and depressions. They've never been an endowment-rich school. You'll also find the food is considered poor, and the housing is.....dorm-like. It's not a restaurant; it's not a country club. But it's an amazing place that oozes intellectual curiosity from every pore.</p>
<p>Methinks it'll be around for your great-grandkids.</p>
<p>Everyone says Bard's food is hardly something to brag about, but I find it funny because my brother thinks Bard's food is god-like compared to the food at Binghamton.</p>
<p>College food is gonna be crappy food regardless. One will very rarely find "good" college food.</p>
<p>^^
Haha, right now I'm choosing between Bard and Bowdoin and the latter is known for its "fabulous" food.</p>
<p>is awesome according to our son. He is a vegan and enjoys every bite. By the way, Bard was the only school he wanted to apply to and he is extremely happy there. He has taken advantage of every learning ooportunity of which there are so many. Every night there is something going on in relation to current events and amazing readings and of course, Botsteins orchestra! There are beautiful places to walk in the woods and connect with nature and most of the professors are inspiring. I think that true Bardians just know they belong there. Our only criticism is that we will not be able to afford four years at Bard. :(</p>