Do current transfer students at Bard College have advice?

I'm thinking of transferring to Bard College and would love to get some insights from current transfer students. How was your experience with the process, and do you have any tips?

From what I understand, Bard is particularly welcome to transfer students and has a streamlined process to accommodate them. They use the Common Application for all transfer applications, which simplifies the process if you're applying to multiple colleges. One piece of advice that many transfer students give is to start early. This is not just about submitting applications, but also about collecting all necessary documents, such as transcripts from all colleges attended, high school transcripts, and letters of recommendation. It's essential to get ahead of this so that you're not rushing to meet deadlines.

One noteworthy characteristic of Bard's transfer application is their Moderation System. As a junior transfer student, you would ideally already have a good idea of what you would like to study. This is because at Bard, at the end of your sophomore year, you need to apply to get into your major. This involves submitting a Moderation paper and meeting with a board of professors. As a transfer student, you might have to go through this process sooner than most. Therefore, having a clear academic direction can be beneficial.

Transferring to small liberal arts schools like Bard can often lead to a closer-knit academic community, but also means that your relationships with faculty can be very important to your academic success. As such, cultivating positive relationships with your professors once you arrive can be very beneficial.

Another piece of advice is to get involved right away. Find clubs, organizations, and extracurriculars that interest you and dive in. This can help you to build a network of friends and feel more at home in your new environment. Bard's unique campus culture, with its emphasis on the arts and social justice, is also something to explore and engage in.

Lastly, ask plenty of questions during the process. Bard's Admissions office is there to help you and can be a great resource when navigating the transfer process.