Bard College

Date: Oct 18 2007
Major: History/Histories (art history/etc.) (This Major's Salary over time)
Bard College is an excellent place to get an education. That being said, it has severe social limitations; however, it is only 2 hours away from NY city, so if you need cultural stimulation, it is easy enough to get to. The level of education at Bard is excellent due to the Faculty and small class sizes. It is a very small school and this environment lends itself well to establishing relationships with professors. I can honestly say that most professors at Bard care about their students and how they perform. The Art History Dept. in particular goes above and beyond in making students feel as if they are part of a family. In addition, nearly all classes are seminar style, which tends to engage students more in the material; however, it means that slacking off is harder to do because chances are your professor will notice if you are not contributing to the discussion. The negative aspect of Bard is the social life. There are only 1,100 students at bard, so you will know most people there and it is hard to be anonymous. Also, it is located in the woods where public transportation is very limited, so going to town is can be difficult for those who don't drive. Also, the isolation of the campus in combination with the harsh winters can make students aloof and unfriendly during the majority of the school year. Social activities are sparse and poorly attended. My overall recommendation is that if you want a nurturing and excellent academic education, this is the best place to go as long as you can handle the awkward social life and slow pace of life in rural new york.