Bard College Simon's Rock

I was not challenged back in high school. My high school only offered 4 AP courses, all of which I just finished with ease - during my Junior year. The last year of high school was merely 'emptied' for college application and endless workshops introducing how we transition ourselves into American college life. I was bored and unhappy, so I tried to look for a more challenging program that accepts people like me. I got turned away from several universities because I didn't get a high school diploma, but luckily I found Simon's Rock later. My family and I had no idea what Simon's Rock was at first, but the introduction from fellow international students already attending the school assured us that I would truly thrive on campus. Simon's Rock is expensive, but the elite education and the broader vision provided are way beyond my initial depiction of American colleges. It's always hard for international students to get the hang of things when they first got to US, but the people at the Rock were so open to different cultural backgrounds, gender, race and academic interests. All the staff members on campus are very supportive of the international students. They truly made us feel included and loved! The classes are all in relatively small size. Professors are more like peers to us instead of inaccessible superior (we always call them by their first names). Students here are all mentally mature individuals willing to share their own opinions. Sometimes, the clash of ideas is just wonderful. We are never bounded to only one discipline - we are always welcomed to explore different academic realms via all sorts of clubs, internships, and career-oriented workshops (which are way more interesting than those back in high school). Everyone here is self-motivated to get ahead and to fulfill their vision of themselves, of the world they set out to change. I was worried at first that I might regret coming here, but now after actually living on campus, I'm so glad that I made the decision to come to the Rock, to challenge myself, to improve myself.

1st Year Female -- Class 2018

Faculty Accessibility: A+, Surrounding City: B+

If you're a true liberal arts student, SR is going to be the best education you can get. The work isn't easy, but it's very rewarding and you will always be challenged & cared for. You will never be isolated from your professors or your classmates - in fact, you really can't escape them. If you're not prepared to be held accountable for your own successes and failures, SR is not the place for you.

Socially, a 400 person school has its upsides and downsides. It's easy to meet people and make friends, but it's also easy to get caught up in the haze of emotional turmoil that radiates from this crucible of teenagers. If you're looking at college as a primarily social experience, you'll be disappointed here. However, Great Barrington is an amazing little town, it's always calming to walk around and grab some food.

The students who do best here are the ones who have a true intellectual curiosity (and followthrough), but who don't get caught up in the social role of "young intellectual/artist/creative thinker." Please really really assess your capacity for self-care & stability and your academic stamina before considering SR. If you're not 100% on either, I would recommend looking elsewhere. Since graduating, I've found no community half as stimulating as Simon's Rock is. I have no regrets in staying for 4 years, and I have the utmost respect for my teachers and peers I met while I was there.

Alumnus Male -- Class 2000

Simon's Rock has changed my life for the better. Before coming to this school, I cared about a lot of things. But here I have learned the importance of hearing out other and different perspectives, of engaging with and internalizing those perspectives, and of questioning those beliefs that I held to be fundamental. It sounds a little intimidating, and sometimes it is, but this level of critical thinking is what ultimately guides one to have a complete understanding of why they believe what they do, and also to start to have a greater understanding and appreciation of those perspectives different from their own.

Faculty are outstanding, always genuinely caring about what their students think, and seeking to encourage thought.

Meaningful conversations with other students are frequent and exciting. Learning abounds, but so does fun. Time management is absolutely key here though, as is patience and the development of stress copping skills (the work load is immense).

Simon's Rock also provides ample opportunities for students to lead, organize, and gain real world skills, whether this is through creating a student club, working in the various offices on campus, or supporting other students through peer advocate positions, etc.

There are nearly endless opportunities to find advisers/mentors here as well.
The community of staff, faculty, and students is close knit and stimulating. I can't say enough positive about Simon's Rock! If you are ready for a true challenge, and ready to have your thinking challenged and developed, this is an important place to keep in mind. It is a leap of faith to come here, but it can yield incredible experiences that will change your world if you are open to that and willing to work through challenges that will inevitably arise. Overall, a wonderful place. I will almost certainly be staying for my B.A. degree.

1st Year Female -- Class 2015

Education Quality: A+, Surrounding City: B