Oh Bard.  Before I went to Bard I had kind of a bad impression of it.  My tour guide sucked when I visited, and my heart was set on Wesleyan.  But I didn't get into Wesleyan, and ended up at Bard.  So I was surprised in my first week on campus when a faculty member giving a presentation to new students mentioned offhand that, having taught at both Bard and Wesleyan, he thought Bard was a vastly superior education.  Now, I can't compare Bard to schools that I did not attend, but I can say that Bard exceeded my expectations and gave me an incredible education.

Academics:

College President Leon Botstein is something of a maverick in higher education.  He's the longest-serving college president in the U.S., an advocate for the abolition of high school, and the conductor of the American Symphony Orchestra.  (Google him for more info; I can't remember everything.) Having been around so long, Bard is in large part a reflection of Botstein's sensibility—and that's a good thing.  There is a dual emphasis on classical liberal education and experimental arts.  The humanities are very strong, and every student has to take a first year seminar course that usually focuses on the giants of western thought.  In that sense the school is conservative.  But there is also a strong devotion to the radical avant garde, more than at any other school I can think of. 

Bard has the best photography, film, writing, and studio arts professors of any liberal arts college out there.  If you are in the arts, you will get unbelievable access to amazing professors, as well as a good humanities program to balance things out.  Beware that if you want to do photography or film, start working on your portfolio NOW.  First year there is a mad rush to get into photo and film classes, and those programs are competitive to stay in.  However, even if you don't get to be a photo major, you can often do studio art or “integrated arts.” If you're an art history major, this school is a paradise.  There is a graduate curatorial studies program on campus that features major artists and has a great library of contemporary art resources.  Great reading series, great film series, great lecture series, etc. 

In all humanities disciplines, the professors are phenomenal.  When you're in high school applying to college you don't realize how brilliant and famous these people are, but wow they are (brilliant and famous).  Often, they have taught at some of the most prestigious universities in the country but prefer Bard's environment—where you get to know them on a first-name basis and have intimate classes with them.  In general, it's a fantastic place to study ideas.  The school's motto is “A Place to Think” and I think that's the god-honest truth.  People at Bard don't care about grades as much as their own intellectual journeys.  The seminars force you to do serious mental work and be articulate about your thoughts.  (Sometimes other students' comments can be a bit bone-headed—that's the only thing that occasionally irritated me about my classes.)

For people interested in science, math, or economics, I am not so aware about what the school has to offer.  Friends of mine in those disciplines have told me that the professors are very focused on teaching.  It's also worth mentioning that the school has invested a lot of money into a new science center and scholarships for math and science students.

Some downsides to the academics reflect the size of the school; the library isn't that great, and class options are sometimes limited.  But there is a library loan service that enables you to get books from other colleges, and you can always set up a tutorial or independent study if your academic needs aren't being met. 

One last note on the academics: many other schools that are more competitive than Bard don't force every student to complete a senior project/senior thesis.  Every Bard student has to complete one to graduate.  It's a real test of your mettle, and mine nearly killed me to finish, but I'm damn proud of it.

Advice: develop a close relationship with your advisor.  Speak up in class.  Take advantage of tutorials and independent studies. 

social life:

You may notice on your visit or when you get to Bard that people aren't very outgoing or friendly.  This can be a little weird at first.  What you have to realize is that people are from cities and suburbs where you don't greet people you pass on the street, and all of a sudden they're in a much more intimate atmosphere.  Also, realize that if you said hello to every single person you knew from a class or your dorm, you'd say hello to literally everyone.  And would that be cool?  No, it would not be cool.  Lastly, remember that most people (including probably you!) who act like they're really cool now were really awkward before college, and they're still shy and dorky on the inside. 

Here's my advice: be laid back about it.  Don't take every perceived snub personally.  Be nice but not overly chipper.  Find friends who can laugh about the weirdness with you.  Eventually, you'll be friends with everyone, and down the line they all *will* say hello to you when you run into them on the street in New York city.  When I was a freshman, a wise senior once told me “There are no scenesters, only older people.” Wise words, indeed. 

Additionally, Bard can be a bit of a culture shock/alienating if you aren't rich, white, and skinny.  You'll be going to school with kids who went to private high schools similar to Bard socially, kids whose parents are rock stars, artists, and academics themselves.  However, most of my friends were not any of those things (rich, skinny, white, the children of glamorous people), and we made the place our own.  In terms of both academics and social life, Bard is best suited to people who want to do their own thing on every level.  If you're not satisfied with the course offerings, arrange a tutorial.  If you hate the dorms, find a house in town.  If the clubs suck, start a new club with your friends.  Make the art you wish existed, dress to amuse yourself, start your own band, etc. 

the local area: I feel the need to chime in here because this is one area where Bard has been ranked low on this site.  Personally, the local area was one of my favorite parts of my Bard experience.  I *loved* it.  Beautiful mountains, farms, the Hudson river, quaint old towns, lakes to swim in, delicious local food, a few cozy bars—all a stone's throw from your door.  No it's not a big college town or a big city, but if you can get into the small town mindset you might find you love it, despite your own expectations to the contrary.  The best things around Bard are often hidden.  Make it a point to go exploring.

I should mention that it can be hard to get around without a car.  The free college shuttle will take you to the two main towns, but it can be kind of a pain.  Still, it's not that bad.  If you have cabin fever on campus, make friends with someone who has a car, take a bike ride on the country roads, or go to the city.  NYC is about two hours away by car, a little longer if you take the bus to get the commuter train.  The city is a great resource, and many of the people you meet will be from the NYC region (always have a place to crash!).  It's nice that someplace fast-paced is so close by, although I always loved going home to the country.