Bard College Simon's Rock

Simon's Rock is unusual for a couple of reasons. First, all the students have left high school early and are generally 16 or 17 as incoming freshman. The college's educational philosophy is based on the idea that many students are ready for both the academic and social challenges of college after their sophomore or junior year in high school. This idea attracts a wide variety of students: those who hated high school, those who wanted to "get ahead," those who were looking for a more challenging intellectual experience than their high schools could provide, and sometimes a combination of all three.

I came for two basic reasons. First, I spent the majority of my two years in high school doing loads of busywork in classes that were supposed to make you think, but instead just forced you to memorize. Second, I was offerred a full scholarship. Granted, this is not an admirable reason for choosing a college, but it is a practical one. However, after spending three semesters here I know it was one of the best decisions I've made, even if I didn't make it for great reasons. The academic experience has been amazing, and the fact that conversation is one the few forms of entertainment means that you get to know people incredibly well.

Along this line, though, it's important to note that the college is tiny; there about 370 students. This can be, and often is, both a good thing and a bad thing. On the up side, Simon's Rock has a real feeling of community. It's not roses and sunshine all the time, of course, but in general students are friendly and get along well. However, along with this familiarity, there come several disadvantages--you rarely see a new face and you know everybody else's business. The size bothers some people more than others. For this reason, as well as others, a lot of students transfer after two years (often to schools that are widely recognized for academic excellence) and some choose to stay for another two years to complete a B.A. Both options are good ones, and I'm in the process of making that decision right now. Looking back on the time I've spent here, though, I can say with relative authority that while this isn't the right place for everyone, to a large extent it is what you make it. While this may sound straight out of a college viewbook, coming to Simon's Rock has been the most challenging and rewarding thing I've done.

1st Year Female -- Class 2003

Useful Schoolwork: A+, Surrounding City: C+

I came to Simon's Rock because I absolutely couldn't stand high school, which wasn't the best reason to choose a college, but, having spent three semesters here so far, I feel it was the best decision I've ever made. The students are great, and the professors are some of the most wonderful people one could ever hope to meet. Unfortunately, I can't stay for all four years, because I would run out of geography classes long before I'd get my B.A., but for the first two years of undergraduate study, I really don't think it would have been possible for me to find a better school.

1st Year Female -- Class 2001

Education Quality: A+, Surrounding City: D+

SR is unusual because it was created for students to start after their sophomore or junior years of high school, without a diploma. I started when I was 16, so I'll get my AA when I'm 18 and my BA when I'm 20. SR is very small (student body just under 400) and very liberal. Classes are very tough but are always very engaging -- usually, the format is that of a debate, with all students taking part. There are generally between 5 and 15 students per class. The dorms and the food aren't great, but the people who make up our school are. To make a few generalizations, we're very open-minded, very loyal to each other, and very concerned with getting a real education.

2nd Year Female -- Class 2003

Faculty Accessibility: A+, Surrounding City: C-