For once a college whose campus lives up to the pictures on its information flyers!
Arriving at the Bard campus, a prospective student is greeted with a union of majestic vine-covered stone buildings and dazzling modern architecture surrounded by woodsy groves of trees and art installations. Sitting on the Hudson River at Annandale-on-Hudson, New York, with the view of the Catskill Mountains across the water, it is no surprise that this college is the epitome of a gorgeous rural campus. For those with campus-aesthetics on the mind, Bard is sure to satisfy.
As for academics, Bard sticks to a liberal arts curriculum encouraging a well rounded education. What sets it apart from other liberal art schools is its system of moderation. Students do not apply for a major upon entering the college and do not commit to one until sophomore year. Freshman year, students are required to take courses in most academic subjects, fulfill the requirements to enter into their prospective concentrations and work through three-week, ungraded, “no pressure” seminars on writing and literature, and on analyzing science and research. In sophomore year, students work with advisors and professors in their prospective field to produce a project (usually a research project for an academic field or an exhibition or performance for students of the arts) which is presented to and discussed with a board of teachers to “moderate” into the desired program (students can be denied admission into a field if the moderation project is not satisfactory). Junior and Senior years are then dedicated to one’s major and to the development of a senior project which is published upon graduation, making each graduate a legitimately published author.
Although students are required to take courses in all academic subjects, Art and English majors don’t have to worry about being stuck in generic chemistry or biology classes with science majors (or vice versa). Bard offers quirky, interdisciplinary courses such as “The Chemistry of Paint” which can satisfy academic credit requirements.
Even with the high academic standard Bard upholds, students have no trouble finding time for fun. A glance at the bulletin board in the campus center says it all; posted there are adds for dessert tastings, incoming speakers, slap stick comedy shows, movies, recreational sports, and even a quirky shout out for students with nerf guns to join up for a make shift laser-tag-esque game. Bard offers a wide variety of activities ranging from NCAA and club sports to diverse, and often quirky, clubs.
Despite the activities, students do often get a dose of cabin-fever early on in the year. With such an isolated campus, students, particularly those used to an urban setting, do have trouble initially adapting to the environment.
Bard, however, tries to streamline the aforementioned adaption period with its dorm policies. Incoming students are given surveys about their habits and routines and are matched up in a dorm with others who share the similar lifestyles. For example, students who like to play loud music may be grouped together, quiet-study students are grouped together, art students who work late into the night are grouped together, etc. With this dorm-matching policy, students tend to form bonds quickly, adapt to the school smoothly, and assume a sense of comfort and security almost immediately.
Overall, Bard seems to be a perfect fit for certain students. The campus is filled with creative, informed young adults, with a student body influenced by the urban culture of Boston and New York City. All of the students appear comfortable in themselves and happy with their peers, goals and surroundings. The school is dedicated to taking young adults with potential and sculpting them into well-rounded individuals with a creative outlook and a strong set of communication skills. In my experience, the professors, interviewers and student tour guides are friendly and welcoming, making the college visit informative and productive. For those looking for a very small (1,900 undergrads according to Bard’s website) rural school with great academics and a well-rounded curriculum, I suggest looking into Bard College.
Info credit: http://www.bard.edu/