Bard College Reviews
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abc123def456
07/13/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
3 out of 3 people found this review useful. 1 of 7
Categories Comments Greek Life Absolutely none, and we'd like to keep it that way.
Clubs and Activities There's essentially anything.
Great for these types of students Intellectually curious, socially-conscious, driven, self-aware, creative, expressive, thoughtful, ideologically liberal (though it'd be nice to have some diversity on campus), politically active, environmentally aware...really anyone who cares about more than living a life within the status quo.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus The hiking trails are numerous, and exploring them is a wonderful way to get relief from all the activity on campus.
What to do for fun It depends on who you are...lectures, concerts, hiking, the library, going to NYC...
Food and Dining Ugh. Kline is grooossss. For the lack of options, at least Chartwells acknowledges the value of alternative eating choices.
Academic Rigor Like any school, it depends on the professor and the material. However, GENERALLY speaking, there is a heavy reading load with a great focus on theoretical material, and thus relatively challenging. Obviously there are costs and benefits to the small environment. You just have to decide if close relationships with a strong faculty is worth having to listen to bullshit from your peers every once-in-a-while (by nature of the fact that Bard is highly discussion based and many students don't do the reading).
Tips for prospective students Really take some time to think about who you are and what you want out of your college experience. Bard is EXTREMELY isolated, and has a very cliquey social structure. As a result, it can easily be an inviting and inclusive community, or the complete opposite extreme--the experience is contingent upon the person, obviously.
In three sentences Here are some words: creatively driven, intellectually curious, and privileged.
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Briana from Alpharetta, GA
07/18/2012Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon. Reviewer has been to campus.
3 out of 3 people found this review useful. 2 of 7
Categories Comments What to do for fun While Bard College is a peaceful learning environment, it is also 600 acres of bursting excitement. There are events, performances, competitions, games, and dinner parties happening every day at Bard. The fabulous New York City is only a train ride away as well. Students often go to the city to experience the many different islands and cultures within the big apple, and then come back after the weekend ends to share their experiences.
Dorm Life Bard has a variety of dorm styles, for all different rankings and grades. Each of Bard's dorms, however, are absolutely beautiful, complete with kitchens, lounging rooms, and comfortable spaces to make the transition from home to dorm as comfortable as possible.
Academic Rigor Bard College holds its students to high academic standards because the administration and staff know that Bardians can soar above and beyond these standards. Bard even has a Learning and Training Program for three weeks during the summer for its in-coming freshman to get acclamated to the caliber of Bard classes as well as campus life in a less hectic environment before the first day of class.
Tips for prospective students To prospective students who are coming to Bard College from out of town- remember to keep an open mind about things. For people coming from the city, country, suburbs, or rural areas, Bard College is a completely different atomosphere and campus culture. It is a land of it's own, so have an open mind when you come. Come ready to explore it.
In three sentences Bard College is not only a beautiful college, but is also on a beautiful mission to help college student learn and cultivate their ambitions and talents. Bard College has just the right balance of peace on campus to study and adventure in the city just two hours away. Bard College is just the right place for me to discover, create, and morph into the artist, woman, and student that I am destined to be.
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John from New York City, NY
06/20/2012Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon. Reviewer has not been to campus.
1 out of 1 people found this review useful. 3 of 7
Categories Comments Bang for the buck I received a lot of financial aid from the school, so don't be afraid to just try applying anyway, even though there's a huge price tag.
Food and Dining Heard it's not too good. You'll have to buy board though.
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Regina from Chamblee, GA
11/11/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
1 out of 1 people found this review useful. 4 of 7
Categories Comments What to do for fun The parties here are limited, you can either throw a party on your own or go and a great adventure to find one. The one thing that you can attend is smog which is also a hit and miss.
Food and Dining The food at Bard ranges from decent to, this is completely gross! The food that they serve can be good some days while other days make you want to throw it all up. Beware the food at Kline.
Dorm Life Beware, some dorms are really nice. For example: Cruger village and the new toasters, the rest are everything you would expect for Freshman students.
Academic Rigor The classes range from wonderful professors who are very kind and lenient to those who can seem like jerks. The courses that Bard teaches are sure to catch your attention and you are guaranteed to find something that you like.
Tips for prospective students If you are apply and get accepted beware of the classes you take because the workload may become overbearing. Make sure there is a balance between being academic and social. Also, it can get cold here so prepare to shop if you're not use to the northern weather.
In three sentences Bard College is a beautiful campus full of diversity and scenic places. If you enjoy a campus that is small and has a community vibe to it, this is the place for you. The parties here are limited or usually shut down but there are more things here to keep you interested and that includes doing your homework.
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Phia
12/02/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
1 out of 1 people found this review useful. 5 of 7
Categories Comments Greek Life none
Clubs and Activities SO many awesome student-led initiatives. Check out the Trustee Leadership Scholar website
Great for these types of students do-gooders and old souls, idealists and smokers
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus Everyone will get a little SMOG loving at some point. An old car garage, now concert/DJ dance venue with a half pipe.
Bang for the buck Many people end up leaving because they can't afford it, not because they don't love it. There are many instances of I'm paying 60,000 for THIS? but it really is an awesome and beautiful place with unique opportunites
What to do for fun SO much to do in the day, if you like being outside. There are no fraternities, so much of the night life happens at off-campus houses in the surrounding towns and at campus-sponsored events and concerts.
Food and Dining Not many options, but staff and food are generally awesome.
Dorm Life Completely depends on where you are placed. Especially for freshmen year since this is when most of your strong bonds that tend to last all 4 years are made. May be more difficult for freshmen placed in the further-out dorms on north campus.
Academic Rigor You can get away without doing the work and asking for extensions, but it doesn't do anyone much good. It's hard to hide that you haven't done the reading when there are only 14 other people in the class...
Tips for prospective students If you're coming from a city it may be difficult to adjust to the woods, but don't let that stop you. Bard is a beautiful place with much to leave even if there aren't any diners or delis for drunk-escapades.
In three sentences It is a great intellectual setting with beautiful scenery. Easy to feel excluded by the seeming majority of hipsters and/or trust fund babies. Definitely a place to think and receive an education-based education versus a career-oriented education.
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Alexandra from Sherman Oaks, CA
01/04/2013Reviewer is A current student here.
1 out of 1 people found this review useful. 6 of 7
Categories Comments Campus Safety Excellent. Everyone knows Ken Cooper, head of security. He teaches Psychology, which means security will never do something like pepper spray students. Security is truly on the students' side and Bard is a truly safe campus, plus it's very good about posting statistics about any problems, which is important. If they seem high (which they don't), it's only because nothing is fudged.
Greek Life Nonexistent, but unnecessary here.
Clubs and Activities SO much happening on campus! I'm always torn between activities. There are fascinating lectures, workshops, clubs, activities all the time. We receive a daily email highlighting what's going on that day. There are so many options! I'm never bored.
Great for these types of students Introverts and extroverts will be happy here. For people who have a genuine interest in learning and enjoy sitting in a dorm, drinking red wine, and discussing philosophy, gender politics, theoretical physics, etc. Everyone will find a place in this truly magical school.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus Hard to say (I'm a Freshman) but I know there is something called Spring Fling. It sounds like just a dance, but I think it's more. I asked an upperclassman about it and she responded with, just follow the glitter. Parliament of Reality is a great place to hang out, stargaze, or just contemplate. Bodyfest: A festival celebrating your body in a variety of cool ways.
Bang for the buck Expensive, but great with financial aid and definitely worth every penny. They really want to help their students with all their endeavors, so if you have an idea and need funding, you will likely be in luck.
What to do for fun SMOG, house parties, bars, dorm parties, Manor, go into the city, TONS of school-sponsored activities. You will never be bored.
Food and Dining Definitely could improve, but they are accommodating toward dietary needs.
Dorm Life Very accommodating. It's fun to live in a dorm and they are pretty spacious with a lot of dorm activities.
Academic Rigor Definitely not an easy school and definitely not a light workload. You will find yourself so filled with knowledge as a resultâ??not just memorized facts, but a true understanding.
Tips for prospective students Show genuine interest in learning in your essay.
In three sentences Bard College is fantastic. There is always something going on, but there is no pressure to do anythingâ??introversion is blatantly accepted. This is such a great atmosphere with the strangest, most interesting, nicest, most academically stimulated group of people you will ever meet.
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Anonymous
11/18/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
7 of 7
Categories Comments Campus Safety Nothing happens here.
Greek Life We don't have a Greek life.
Clubs and Activities There are supposedly a lot of clubs, but they don't have a huge presence on campus. It's hard to get involved.
Great for these types of students Rich hipsters who like to smoke and who can afford this place.
Bang for the buck Bard is very overpriced. It is one of the most expensive schools in the country and has nothing to show for it.
What to do for fun There's nothing to do for fun. Smoking weed is pretty common though.
Food and Dining Bard only has one dining hall- Kline Commons- and it's terrible. The selection isn't that great and it's not very good for you.
Dorm Life The dorms are nice, depending on where you are. The Trailer are temporary housing that have been here for years and they're pretty much trailers. Tewsbury's pretty bad- it's kind of like your stereotypical college dorm. Many of the dorms are nice though.
Academic Rigor Classes are interesting, but not challenging.
Tips for prospective students - Keep in mind that Bard is in the middle of no where. - There aren't any parties. Anywhere.
In three sentences As a school, Bard is pretty good since the professors are wonderful and the facilities seem great. Outside of academics, however, Bard fails. It's very isolated and it's not easy to get involved.
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