<p>In a substantial data sample on our Naviance over the last 3 years. Nobody, and I mean NOBODY has been rejected with anything close to the OPs stats. That would be true even if I subtracted 1.0 from the GPA. </p>
<p>Bard accepts students with a wide range of stats, so it’s not really out of reach for many students. Therefore it attracts a lot of weaker applicants. It does not reject or waitlist strong applicants though as other schools seem to do. It also has EA. Therefore, I do think that it’s a reasonable admissions safety. </p>
<p>You might be right about the financial aspect. They do not guarantee to meet full need. </p>
<p>Applying to Bard IPD (non-binding ED) increases the acceptance significantly. I think OP would get in IDP, though I would not call it a super-safety. And AnnieBeats is right, it’s not a financial safety. Though I do think that OP would be offered some aid there. They do not differentiate in their aid package what is need-based and what is merit-based aid, which is frustrating… we had a lot of financial need and they did NOT meet 100% need, as other schools did, but did offer a generous $44k “scholarship”. However, their COA is also very high even among peer schools, so the net price was still quite steep.
I agree that OP should definitely apply to Bard, but not consider it a safety if significant aid is a necessity. </p>