Bard College Costs and Admissions Data

With an acceptance rate of 56  percent, Bard College is considered a somewhat selective school. Bard is a test-optional school, meaning that students who didnt take  or did poorly on the ACT or SAT, can still be considered for admission. Admissions to Bard are need-blind and test-optional, so a strong academic and extracurricular record are a must for this highly selective college. Since Bard uses the Common Application, students will have to complete the essay portion of that application. Applicants must also submit high school transcripts, letters of recommendation; optional materials include a resume of activities, awards,  and art portfolios for those interested in the art programs at Bard.   Admissions Data (2016) Bard College Acceptance Rate: 56%GPA, SAT and ACT Data for AdmissionTest ScoresSAT Critical Reading: 640 medianSAT Math: 620 medianACT Composite: 29 medianNote: Bard is a test-optional college Bard College Description: Located in Annandale-on-Hudson, a picturesque town about 90 miles north of New York City, Bard College is one of the countrys top liberal arts colleges. Bard prides itself on its faculty and a 10 to 1  student/faculty ratio. They tout 98 percent of classes having fewer than 30 students The faculty includes five MacArthur Fellows, and the school has been home to four recipients of the Nobel Prize in Literature. For a small college, Bard is remarkably international, with 22 percent of students representing 51 countries other than the U.S. On the athletic front, the Raptors compete in the NCAA Division III, within the Liberty League. Popular sports include basketball, soccer, lacrosse, swimming, and track and field. Enrollment (2016) Total Enrollment: 2,304  (1,970 undergraduates)Gender Breakdown: 42% Male / 58% Female96% Full-time Costs (2016 - 17) Tuition and Fees: $51,384Books: $950Room and Board: $14,540Other Expenses: $1,750Total Cost: $68,624 Bard College Financial Aid (2015- 16) Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 66%Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of AidGrants: 62%Loans: 48%Average Amount of AidGrants: $37,368Loans: $7,349 Academic Programs The most popular majors are  Fine Arts, Languages and Literatures, Sciences, and Social Sciences. Intercollegiate Athletic Programs Mens Sports:  Soccer, Lacrosse, Baseball, Volleyball, Cross Country, Basketball, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field, SquashWomens Sports:  Swimming, Volleyball, Cross Country, Track and Field, Soccer, Lacrosse, Basketball, Tennis Graduation and Retention Rates First Year Student Retention (full-time students): 86%Transfer-out Rate: - %4-year Graduation Rate: 69%6-year Graduation Rate: 78% Data Source National Center for Educational Statistics Bard and the Common Application Bard College uses the Common Application. These articles can help guide you: Common Application essay tips and samplesShort answer tips and samplesSupplemental essay tips and samples