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Hometown: Islamabad, Pakistan High School: Roots IVY International School Major: Economics
I chose Bard because of the Levy Institute of Economics and its close proximity to New York City—just a 2-hour train ride! When starting your college search, don't be afraid! Research your options and prioritize your dream schools. Trust yourself!
Ahmed Shafay
My favorite places are Resnick Village (which is a collection of dorms), the film center in the Milton and Sally Avery Arts Center building, Ferrari soccer field, and the Bertelsmann Campus Center (which has an amazing cafe).
Aleksandar Vitanov
Hometown: Kavadarci, North Macedonia High School: Interlochen Arts Academy Major: Conservatory of Music (Trumpet Performance), Political Studies
I came to Bard because of the double degree for Conservatory students. Not only do you spend 5 years performing in an incredible place, but you also get a whole separate bachelor and arts degree. It really makes for well-rounded musicians and scholars. When picking the right college, go with your gut. Do you like the campus? The vibe? If you trust your intuition, it will all work out.
Aleksandar Vitanov
I love Blithewood and Montgomery Place. There is such beautiful scenery and nature around Bard and these two estates are great places to soak it all in.
Az Almodovar
Hometown: Dominican Republic High School: Bronx School for Law, Government and Justice Major: Philosophy
I wanted to go to a small school where I would not be just a number in the classroom and could create meaningful connections with my peers as well as professors. Bard provides that, along with many more opportunities. Some of those opportunities include clubs and student activities. Despite being such a small school, student life has a big presence here at Bard.
Az Almodovar
When picking a college, don’t feel obligated to make a quick decision, and also, although money is important, make sure you pick a school you really like instead of just choosing based on price—you can always explore financial aid!
My favorite place here at Bard is the gym. It is a space where you can work out and forget about everything else that is happening in the world for a couple of hours.
Danika Dortch
Hometown: Lindenhurst, Illinois High School: Lakes Community High School Major: Conservatory of Music (French Horn Performance) and Written Arts
I chose to come to Bard because of its supportive and immersive dual degree program within the Conservatory and how strongly the College embraces new opportunities and experiences in all different aspects of education.
Danika Dortch
When you start looking at colleges, I would start by narrowing down what type of environment you are in search of in terms of size, location, student experiences, etc. It is a lot easier to narrow it down and find the right school from there!
The Parliament of Reality is a stellar place on campus to do homework, meditate, or eat pizza with friends.
Elene Shamanadze
Hometown: Tbilisi, Georgia High School: European School–American High School Major: Psychology
Bard provided me with a unique outlook on how academics work. With its fantastic psychology program and amazing faculty, I knew that coming here would give me the best foundation for my future career as a clinical psychologist.
Elene Shamanadze
For the first step in your college search, I would suggest looking at the college's faculty and how strong the school's academics are. Bard had one of the best and strongest academics that I had looked at during my college search.
I personally love Blithewood. During warmer months, I usually do my homework there and relax.
Lexi Lanni
Hometown: Bristol, Rhode Island High School: La Salle Academy Major: Conservatory of Music (Opera/Vocal Performance) and Computer Science
Bard’s small class sizes are a great environment for me. One-on-one time with teachers is so valuable, and Bard has been able to offer this time and time again! Everyone here wants me to succeed—it’s a wholesome and close-knit community.
Lexi Lanni
When looking at colleges, don’t be afraid to reach out to current students. Most of them are willing to help out!
My favorite place is on the Fisher Center stages!
Maya Kelly
Hometown: Charlottesville, Virginia High School: Western Albemarle High School Major: Literature and Political Studies
I chose Bard because of the small classroom size. I wanted a more personalized and intimate education where I could get to know my professors and peers. On top of that, I also wanted to play tennis.
Maya Kelly
I would tell incoming college students not to let other people’s judgment influence which school they pick. A big part of the stress of picking a school is the pressure to go somewhere impressive/make the “right” choice and at the end of the day, what matters most is that the environment and academics match you. You never know what a certain school is willing to offer you, and if you go into this process with a narrow mindset, you might miss out on some great opportunities.
One of my absolute favorite spots on campus is the Stevenson Library!
Thyme Weiss
Hometown: Brooklyn, New York High School: Talent Unlimited High School Major: Theater and Performance
The theater program, student-run garden, and beautiful natural environment were all driving forces for me. Everyone I met seemed very inclusive and welcoming to alternative art styles. The classes available also looked unique and exciting.
Thyme Weiss
Keep in mind that when searching for a college that you’re looking for YOUR best fit, not just trying to get into the “best” school you get accepted into
The Reem Kayden Center at night when it’s empty, the small pink tree with lavender around its base at Blithewood, and the waterfall when it’s sunny are all of my favorite places to go on campus.