Bard College
Bard is a small liberal arts college located in Annandale of Hudson, NY. The sprawling, wooded 1200 acre campus overlooks the Hudson River. Bard is a place where students are encouraged to develop a love for learning as they think critically, engage in thoughtful discussions and pursue their interests. The learning process is valued as much as the end result. Bard is considered a selective college with a 40% acceptance rate and has been test optional for 50 years. There is no application fee and close to 90% of undergraduates receive some form of institutional aid.
A Bard education is unique. For the first two years, all undergraduates take classes to fulfill the school's distribution requirements, one course in each of ten diverse categories, such as Social Analysis, Laboratory Science, Difference & Justice and Practicing Arts. This allows students the time to explore a variety of subjects before settling on a major. Even though these requirements are extensive, there is flexibility amongst the choice of courses. All first-year students are assigned an advisor who they meet with periodically throughout the year. They are also required to participate in a First-Year Seminar and the Language and Thinking Program.
At Bard, students don’t simply declare a major, but complete a process called moderation. In the second semester of sophomore year, students are expected to make a decision on their chosen field of study. The process involves writing two papers and the submission of a sample of work they've completed in the desired area of study. Students meet with three faculty members from that department who ultimately make the decision to approve, deny or defer promotion to Upper College and admission to the major.
The Bard academic journey culminates in a senior project–an expression of their undergraduate experience. Students are given flexibility with regard to the form of their project and one course each semester senior year is dedicated to this work. Completed projects are submitted for faculty review and archived in the campus library allowing alumni and current students access to past projects!
Bard guarantees housing for two years, however, about 75% of students choose to live on campus all four years. Over 40 residence halls are spread out across five residential areas. Varied housing options include traditional doubles to suite style dorms and intentional living communities. With over 150 clubs and organizations, students take charge of the campus social life through the planning of events such as festivals, movie nights and concerts. There are fifteen varsity Bard Raptors teams competing in Division III’s Liberty League, as well as many club and intramural sports on campus.
Who would thrive at Bard?
Bard is a great fit for students who are intellectually curious, independent thinkers and genuinely enjoy learning for its own sake. Students should be comfortable expressing their ideas, questioning assumptions and participating in thoughtful, sometimes challenging discussions. Bard's academic environment rewards students who are self-motivated, open to exploring unfamiliar subjects and willing to take ownership of their education. Students who appreciate an unconventional approach to college, value creativity and want the freedom to pursue their interests will likely find Bard especially appealing. It is also a welcoming, accepting community where students are encouraged to be themselves.
Fast Facts (written in 2026):
Undergraduate Enrollment-2,058
8:1 student/faculty ratio
Classes are discussion based, there are no large lecture style classes
All classes are taught by full faculty members
Bard has a campus in Berlin, Germany where students can attend full time and earn an American & German BA or study for shorter periods (summer, semester, or year)
Bard’s Fisher Center is a premier performing arts venue
Notable alumni include actors Chevy Chase, Blythe Danner and Christopher Guest; Donald Fagen of Steely Dan; Adam Yauch of the Beastie Boys; and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Ronan Farrow.
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