Immediate Decision Plan

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Who is IDP for?

• For the accomplished student with Bard as their top choice. 
• Students who feel that the applications offered do not provide them with adequate space to fully explain important life and/or educational experiences. 
• Students who wish to provide further context around something they have included in their application that they feel would be better explained in an interview setting.
• Please note that transfer students are not eligible to participate in IDP, except for Bard High School Early College students.
• BEE students cannot apply via Bard's IDP program in November.

We expect applicants to have pursued a rigorous course of study including honors and/or advanced classes if offered at their secondary school. In addition, a well-balanced program of study is considered the best preparation for succeeding at Bard. Such a program should include, if possible, a full four-year sequence in English, social sciences, and mathematics; study of at least one foreign language for three, preferably four years; and three to four years of study in the laboratory sciences. The Admission Committee is interested in the entire high school record, with junior and senior year courses being especially important.

The committee also considers achievement, motivation, and intellectual ambition outside of school; appraises the standards of the secondary school curriculum; and carefully reads the application essay and recommendations. We suggest that recommendations be from both an English/humanities teacher and a math or science teacher from the junior or senior years. Students are advised to contact the Admission Office, or have their college counselor call to speak with an admission counselor if they have any questions about whether IDP is appropriate for them.

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What makes IDP different?

In this day-long process, students first participate in a seminar-style workshop while parents and families can participate in a Q&A session with a senior administrator. In the afternoon, students are interviewed by a member of the Admission Committee who has already reviewed their application.

• In this day-long process, students participate in a seminar-style workshop followed by an interview with a member of the Admission Committee; parents/families can participate in a Q&A session with a senior administrator. 
• In-person and virtual sessions are offered. Virtual sessions are designed to accommodate various time zones.
•  Please note the class is not graded. It exists so you can experience a discussion-based class at Bard. While students are participating in the class, there is a Q&A by a senior administrator or the President of the College for those who accompanied students to IDP.

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How to Apply

Students will be able to select from in-person or virtual dates. Virtual date options are reserved for students who are unable to attend in-person. 

Registration is required and space is limited. Students are encouraged to register as soon as possible once registration is available. Once students have registered for an IDP date they must complete and submit an application using the Common Application or Coalition with Scoir and select either "Early Action” or "Early Decision" as their application round. Complete applications must be submitted by November 1. For more information on required application materials please visit First Year Required Materials.

Students who elect to apply using the Early Decision round are required to commit to Bard if admitted. If you are offered admission through Early Decision, you must accept our offer of admission and make your deposit within a month after receipt of our offer and/or financial aid package. If you are offered admission through Early Action, you have until the standard candidate's reply date, May 1, to inform the College of your enrollment decision. If you apply Early Decision, you cannot apply Early Decision to another institution.