Bard College

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Students Say - Academics
Students come to Bard seeking "a liberal arts college with a left-leaning student body of creative thinkers who are all actively interested in political and social activism and learning/academia for its own sake," and "we find it," they tell us. Those yearning for "an atmosphere of curious individuals striving for knowledge," a place where "there are intelligent discussions both inside and outside the classroom" will find a home at this small liberal arts school in the scenic Hudson Valley. All students start their educations here building a solid grounding, starting with a three-week orientation and intensive communication and research workshop, followed by the year-long freshman seminar that is a survey of history's "great ideas." As one student observes, "The curriculum at Bard is set up to give students a broad foundation of knowledge," a foundation they get to test when completing their senior project in their final year. As at many elite small schools, "The administration and professors are amazingly accessible. A simple e-mail can get you an appointment with the dean of students, and the professors encourage students to ask for help or to discuss any ideas they may have." Students aren't coddled, however; writes one, "One reason that the school doesn't run as 'smoothly' [as other schools] is that this place isn't about handing life's jewels to everyone. All the students must put some effort into their work to get the real payoff. It's a bit like real life in that manner." As one student puts it, "Bard, more than any other school, is what you make of it. If you wish to make a big splash, the school will provide you with the proper equipment (large boulders, diving boards, etc.). It is up to you, though, to take advantage of it."

Students Say - Campus Life
Bard "has a gorgeous campus," and undergrads "take full advantage of that when the weather is warm. Blithewood, our Italian-style gardens, is often full of students picnicking and playing Frisbee, and elsewhere on campus most trees have at least one student reading, or perhaps playing an instrument, in the shade. Other popular pastimes/attractions include the on-campus art museum, the waterfall, and many winding, hilly hiking trails that snake around Blithewood and along the Hudson River." The campus hosts a rich cultural life; the "student-run entertainment space-a converted auto garage known as SMOG-holds many fantastic music shows (both student bands and musical guests), as well as the very popular themed dance parties," and "Art is everywhere. Students frequently have the opportunities to see world-class performances by the American Symphony Orchestra for free or for a mere $5." All this activity makes up for the fact that "the campus is a little isolated," as does the fact that "shuttles run to nearby towns rather frequently." Undergrads tell us that "This is not a beer-pong school. Rather than the norm being the stereotypical frat-style college party, many 'parties' are just friends sitting together; drinking boxed wine; listening to jazz or indie rock; and discussing philosophy, art, current events, etc." When they need to get away, "Many kids go to New York City for the weekends."

Students Say - Student Body
Bard is a safe haven for all hipsters, serious intellectuals, artists, and dreamers, so it should come as no surprise that "Everyone at Bard was atypical in high school, and consequently it's difficult to classify anyone as either typical or atypical. Students here are brilliant, enthusiastic, passionate, and genuinely different." They tend to be "very passionate about their specific interests and work hard to manifest them in the community," with "an unbelievable sensitivity to the subtleties of, and a passion for, language." "It's 'cool' to be intellectual, artistic, and well-read" here, and "'hipster' fashion is in style." Occasionally some "do try to be a little too philosophical, and some kids can border on pretentious or self-righteous, but most are absolutely amazing people with fascinating backgrounds."

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