Bard College admission requirements

This college guide uses the most recent data available provided by the U.S. Department of Education. This information was last updated on April 25th, 2023.

Bard College Admission Requirements Guide

Whether you’re just starting to consider Bard College as an option or are well into the application process, this guide will provide a comprehensive overview of the Bard College undergraduate admission requirements. After reading this guide, you will understand what needs to be done to maximize your chances of being admitted to this institution’s undergraduate program.

Bard College Acceptance Rate

The Bard College admission rate was 59.92% for the most recent class. While it can still be challenging to stand out among the pool of applicants, students who put in the effort to craft a strong application and demonstrate their passion and potential have a decent chance of being admitted to these schools. Ultimately, you should strive to find the right fit for your goals and interests, regardless of acceptance rates. This admission requirement rundown should help improve your chances of being accepted into Bard College.

Bard College's Admission Rate
59.92%

Bard College GPA Requirements

Every high school has its own method of constructing students’ grade point averages (GPA). Some secondary schools use a weighted GPA system, where they take into account the rigor of honors courses and weigh them more heavily, and others use an unweighted GPA system, in which letter grades all carry the same weight regardless of the course’s difficulty.

To level the playing field, schools often compare applicants through their unweighted GPA and consider the number of honors and advanced courses separately. This is how Bard College typically conducts its college application review process. 

Bard College Average GPA

When looking at undergraduate students who were most recently admitted, the Bard College average GPA is 3.5. Although there are no GPA requirements for admission, it is strongly recommended that prospective students aim for at least a 3.5 to give themselves an adequate chance of being accepted into Bard College.

Bard College's SAT Score Choice Policy

Bard College does accept the SAT ‘Superscore’ policy. This means that applicants who have taken the SAT several times may submit their best scores for each section, rather than submitting every full report. For example, if you received a higher score on your Reading section during your first test, but received a higher score on the Mathematics section on your second test, you may combine these scores for a comprehensive ‘Superscore’.

Bard College's ACT Score Choice Policy

Bard College allows individuals to submit their ACT ‘Superscore’. This means that they are able to select and combine their best subject scores across multiple tests. 

Bard College Application Requirements

Bard College is a great undergraduate school to attend. Bard College’s admission office is able to extend offers to many students while still being selective. To stand out in the admissions process, it is critical to abide by the school’s application requirements.

Does Bard College Use the Common App?

Like most major U.S. schools, Bard College does use the Common Application for their admissions process. The Common App is a unified application that prospective students use to apply to undergraduate colleges and universities. It allows applicants to use a single application that can be sent to as many colleges as they apply to, instead of repeatedly inputting the same demographic and academic information per school. Bard College may request additional materials, such as supplemental essays and questions, but the primary application structure remains the same.

Does Bard College Require Letters of Recommendation?

Bard College requires 2 letters of recommendation from teachers. These letters of rec, or ‘teacher evaluations’, are used to assess what type of student you are and your strengths in a learning environment. It is highly recommended to ask teachers that you have a strong relationship with to write these letters of recommendation, as they can attest to your academic and interpersonal skills. Try to find teachers who are familiar with your character, rather than just test grades. Remember that the goal is to show Bard College that you are a comprehensively complete applicant.

A recommendation letter from a school counselor or guidance counselor is required to apply to Bard College. High school counselors are constantly writing letters of recommendation for students, so asking them to create one for you is a fairly straightforward process. Ensure that they are at least somewhat familiar with your character and goals, as the purpose of this letter is to show Bard College that you are a comprehensively complete applicant.

Bard College Application Checklist

See our application checklist for Bard College below to ensure you complete and submit the proper materials.

Required Application Materials:

  • Completed Common App
  • Standardized Test Scores, such as the SAT or ACT
  • 2 Letters of Recommendation from Teachers
  • 1 Letter of Recommendation from a School Counselor
  • Personal Statement (College Essay)
  • Bard College Application Fee or Fee Waiver
  • Academic Transcripts (at the time of submission and when senior year first semester grades are released)

Optional Application Materials:

  • Additional Recommendation Letters (Teacher Evaluations)

Bard College Facts & Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bard College Public or Private?

Bard College is a private, non-profit university. Private universities’ primary sources of funding are through tuition, donations, and endowments. Although tuition may be higher at these nonprofit institutions, generous financial aid packages are more common than public schools. Tuition rates do not differ between in-state and out-of-state students.

How Many Students Does Bard College Have?

Bard College is known for having a smaller student body. Our latest data indicates there are 2036 undergraduate degree-seeking students enrolled. With a fewer students in each classroom, individuals are able to engage more with their classmates and professors. Office hours are accessible, and opportunities for networking and relationship-building are vast at Bard College.

How do I apply to Bard College?

Make sure you have all of the required application materials we covered on hand. You can learn more about the application process for this particular institution at Bard College’s Website.

Where is Bard College?

Bard College is located in Annandale-On-Hudson, NY. To visualize where Bard College’s campus is based in relation to Annandale-On-Hudson’s downtown area and landmarks, take a look at the interactive map below.

Bard College Campus Map

Final Thoughts on Applying to Bard College

Hopefully this guide helped you to learn more about the admissions requirements for Bard College. When applying to colleges, remember to keep in mind that not every school will be a good fit. Take the time to evaluate what’s most important to you, such as the school’s academic opportunities, financial aid benefits, and location. All of the application components we covered are important – take your time to put your best foot forward. The College Grid team wishes you the best of luck on your college applications!

Sydney Janssen
Sydney Janssen

As a valedictorian in high school, I developed a strong passion for learning and pushing myself to achieve academic success. Now, as a first-generation college graduate, I'm excited to share my experiences and insights with others who may be navigating similar paths through College Grid.

Bard College admission requirements

This college guide uses the most recent data available provided by the U.S. Department of Education. This information was last updated on April 25th, 2023.

Bard College Admission Requirements Guide

Whether you’re just starting to consider Bard College as an option or are well into the application process, this guide will provide a comprehensive overview of the Bard College undergraduate admission requirements. After reading this guide, you will understand what needs to be done to maximize your chances of being admitted to this institution’s undergraduate program.

Bard College Acceptance Rate

The Bard College admission rate was 59.92% for the most recent class. While it can still be challenging to stand out among the pool of applicants, students who put in the effort to craft a strong application and demonstrate their passion and potential have a decent chance of being admitted to these schools. Ultimately, you should strive to find the right fit for your goals and interests, regardless of acceptance rates. This admission requirement rundown should help improve your chances of being accepted into Bard College.

Bard College's Admission Rate
59.92%

Bard College GPA Requirements

Every high school has its own method of constructing students’ grade point averages (GPA). Some secondary schools use a weighted GPA system, where they take into account the rigor of honors courses and weigh them more heavily, and others use an unweighted GPA system, in which letter grades all carry the same weight regardless of the course’s difficulty.

To level the playing field, schools often compare applicants through their unweighted GPA and consider the number of honors and advanced courses separately. This is how Bard College typically conducts its college application review process. 

Bard College Average GPA

When looking at undergraduate students who were most recently admitted, the Bard College average GPA is 3.5. Although there are no GPA requirements for admission, it is strongly recommended that prospective students aim for at least a 3.5 to give themselves an adequate chance of being accepted into Bard College.

Bard College's SAT Score Choice Policy

Bard College does accept the SAT ‘Superscore’ policy. This means that applicants who have taken the SAT several times may submit their best scores for each section, rather than submitting every full report. For example, if you received a higher score on your Reading section during your first test, but received a higher score on the Mathematics section on your second test, you may combine these scores for a comprehensive ‘Superscore’.

Bard College's ACT Score Choice Policy

Bard College allows individuals to submit their ACT ‘Superscore’. This means that they are able to select and combine their best subject scores across multiple tests. 

Bard College Application Requirements

Bard College is a great undergraduate school to attend. Bard College’s admission office is able to extend offers to many students while still being selective. To stand out in the admissions process, it is critical to abide by the school’s application requirements.

Does Bard College Use the Common App?

Like most major U.S. schools, Bard College does use the Common Application for their admissions process. The Common App is a unified application that prospective students use to apply to undergraduate colleges and universities. It allows applicants to use a single application that can be sent to as many colleges as they apply to, instead of repeatedly inputting the same demographic and academic information per school. Bard College may request additional materials, such as supplemental essays and questions, but the primary application structure remains the same.

Does Bard College Require Letters of Recommendation?

Bard College requires 2 letters of recommendation from teachers. These letters of rec, or ‘teacher evaluations’, are used to assess what type of student you are and your strengths in a learning environment. It is highly recommended to ask teachers that you have a strong relationship with to write these letters of recommendation, as they can attest to your academic and interpersonal skills. Try to find teachers who are familiar with your character, rather than just test grades. Remember that the goal is to show Bard College that you are a comprehensively complete applicant.

A recommendation letter from a school counselor or guidance counselor is required to apply to Bard College. High school counselors are constantly writing letters of recommendation for students, so asking them to create one for you is a fairly straightforward process. Ensure that they are at least somewhat familiar with your character and goals, as the purpose of this letter is to show Bard College that you are a comprehensively complete applicant.

Bard College Application Checklist

See our application checklist for Bard College below to ensure you complete and submit the proper materials.

Required Application Materials:

  • Completed Common App
  • Standardized Test Scores, such as the SAT or ACT
  • 2 Letters of Recommendation from Teachers
  • 1 Letter of Recommendation from a School Counselor
  • Personal Statement (College Essay)
  • Bard College Application Fee or Fee Waiver
  • Academic Transcripts (at the time of submission and when senior year first semester grades are released)

Optional Application Materials:

  • Additional Recommendation Letters (Teacher Evaluations)

Bard College Facts & Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bard College Public or Private?

Bard College is a private, non-profit university. Private universities’ primary sources of funding are through tuition, donations, and endowments. Although tuition may be higher at these nonprofit institutions, generous financial aid packages are more common than public schools. Tuition rates do not differ between in-state and out-of-state students.

How Many Students Does Bard College Have?

Bard College is known for having a smaller student body. Our latest data indicates there are 2036 undergraduate degree-seeking students enrolled. With a fewer students in each classroom, individuals are able to engage more with their classmates and professors. Office hours are accessible, and opportunities for networking and relationship-building are vast at Bard College.

How do I apply to Bard College?

Make sure you have all of the required application materials we covered on hand. You can learn more about the application process for this particular institution at Bard College’s Website.

Where is Bard College?

Bard College is located in Annandale-On-Hudson, NY. To visualize where Bard College’s campus is based in relation to Annandale-On-Hudson’s downtown area and landmarks, take a look at the interactive map below.

Bard College Campus Map

Final Thoughts on Applying to Bard College

Hopefully this guide helped you to learn more about the admissions requirements for Bard College. When applying to colleges, remember to keep in mind that not every school will be a good fit. Take the time to evaluate what’s most important to you, such as the school’s academic opportunities, financial aid benefits, and location. All of the application components we covered are important – take your time to put your best foot forward. The College Grid team wishes you the best of luck on your college applications!

Sydney Janssen
Sydney Janssen

As a valedictorian in high school, I developed a strong passion for learning and pushing myself to achieve academic success. Now, as a first-generation college graduate, I'm excited to share my experiences and insights with others who may be navigating similar paths through College Grid.