Bard College

Date: Nov 11 2013
Major: English (This Major's Salary over time)
There are many things one should consider when choosing a college/university so all I can say is DO YOUR HOMEWORK. Not as in school work type of homework, I mean research the schools you're applying to thoroughly; make sure the school you're applying to is a place you want to stay. This school is expensive so there is no use wasting your money to come here if you aren't going to enjoy your time.

With that being said I never visited Bard or had an interview when choosing to go to Bard. I chose Bard not only because we have Leon Botstein as a president or Chevy Chase is an alumni, but because of the location. IT IS RURAL and for that I am happy because there is very little that will distract me. However, one must remember that rural is not always a bad thing. Bard is within easy driving distance to Red Hook, Tivoli, Rhinebeck, Kingston, the Catskills, etc. Have no fear if you do not own a car, there is a shuttle (THAT IS FREE!!) and it takes you to Red Hook, Tivoli and Kingston as well as around campus if you are too lazy to walk 20 minutes. In the surrounding towns there are many restaurants that are fairly cheap, although the townies do not like us Bardians because there are a select few who are somewhat obnoxious. All I can say is DON'T BE THAT GUY. If you're nice and not obnoxious to the townies, they'll be nice to you. In Kingston there's the usual of Starbucks (two actually), Panera Bread, At&t, Verizon, Target, Walmart, Hannaford, etc. So everything you need to survive is very close. Remember NYC is only an hour away by train, so we are not completely cut off from that big New York life.

Our Campus is BEAUTIFUL. We are right on the Hudson. There is a greek style garden as well as TWO waterfalls on campus. I must admit some of our buildings are pretty weird such as the Library…WTF were they thinking when designing it? But that adds to the quirkiness of Bard. Some of the buildings could be better maintained but at the same time this is college. We are college students who have a tendency, like most college students, to party and break crap. Fear not parents, the party scene is not as notorious as some make it out to be. Don't get me wrong, it is there however it doesn't control the school. Which leads me to drugs. Like all schools there are drugs however IT IS EASY TO AVOID. If you don't want to smoke it, sniff it or whatever no one is going to make you. If you don't want to be around that type of scene there are MANY who will join you in not being part of it. Speaking of smoking there are lots of people who smoke cigarettes. Right outside the dining hall. So be prepared to fight your way through a cloud of tobacco smoke in order to eat. Like drugs if you don't want to be a nicotine addict no one will force you to be. Not to sound like every other person out there, or as Bardians say, "mainstream" but College is what you make of it. If you're going to be a negative whining bitch about the school you chose than you obviously did not do enough research when choosing said school. Also all that negativity will prevent you from enjoying Bard. Bard is a great school but you definitely have to be open minded and accepting. If you are neither of those things than I'm going to say it right now, BARD IS NOT THE PLACE FOR YOU.

Bard has a large LGBT community and they are widely accepted. If you're going to be a judgmental, close minded asshole than Bard is not the place for you. Bard is a sanctuary for those who've been hurt by the mainstream world, due to their lack of acceptance and understanding. When reading the previous statement some might be thinking that Bard is filled with the weird, psycho people. WRONG. That is not what I meant at all. Bard is for the artsy, the brainy and the unique. We are the ones who were teased for being bookworms, doing homework, wanting to do good in school. With that being said the competitiveness between students is not in any way cruel or hardcore. People here move to the beat of their own drum. There are those who are able to party their tiny little hearts out and still do well and there are those who continuously study like mad and do well. However we never compare grades or mock those who don't do well because there is an understanding that it's no one else's business on how we do in school. If you are struggling your friends will be more than happy to help you.

Athletics at Bard is pretty non existent. Well, we do have sport teams (we have quite a few) but the school spirit is lacking. Those of us who do a sport attend other sporting events but beyond your fellow athletic peers other students do not really attend such events but that doesn't mean that you cant attend it. You can be the one to change that by attending.

Classes are rigorous however rigorous doesn't mean that the classes are impossibly hard. If you're willing to do the work it will show in your midterms and finals. If you're the type who doesn't give 100% when doing homework however right fantastic essays or are great on tests than you too will survive. Also GO TO CLASS! Our school is not at all big. You miss a class your professor will notice, they wont call you out on it but it WILL affect your grade so just wake up and go to class unless you're sick than the professors are very understanding. The professors are brilliant. They have no problem in giving you extra help. Class discussions are highly supportive, very few classes are lecture classes.

Security is super helpful and friendly, they will drive you anywhere if you ask nicely. All campus employees are great. BE NICE TO THOSE WHO WORK IN KLINE. Speaking of kline you've probably heard the horror stories of the food. I am sorry to say but it's pretty true. There are some bad days and there are some horrible days, we are all very thankful when kline is having a bad day. Although we do have two other places to eat on campus; Manor and DTR. (DTR is great, theres so many food choices) However first years can't have meal swaps until second semester so save your Bard Bucks like you'd save water in the desert.

Like I said College is what you make of it, especially in Bards case. I hope this helped you make your decision, but do your research in all schools you apply to. Bards acceptance rate for the class of 2017 (those who graduated high school in 2013) was 25%. It is a very expensive and selective school so rejoice if you get in. Lastly when expecting your acceptance letter it comes in a tiny ass envelope, the type of envelopes you get when a school is rejecting you so don't judge the envelope by its size, just open the damn thing.

GOOD LUCK AND I HOPE THIS HELPED!! :))