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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I arrange a campus visit?
A: The best time to visit campus is during the summer when our session is in progress. We are also holding three group campus tours this fall, one per month in October, November, and December. Dates will be listed on our website once they are confirmed. To visit Bard at another time, contact our office at 845-758-7481 or email mfa@bard.edu.
Q: Do you accept transfer credits?
A: No. Applicants who transfer from another MFA program must complete all program requirements.
Q: Do you require the GRE?
A: No. Applicants who have taken a GRE test may submit their scores if they wish.
Q: How competitive is the admissions process?
A: The admissions process is quite competitive; in 2008 we received over 425 applications. Of those 425, 81 were invited to interview, and 31 were admitted to the program. Each discipline accepts about 5 students each year.
Q: How do I apply for financial aid?
A: Applicants who are invited for an interview must submit the 2009-10 FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) by March 16, 2009. You can complete the FAFSA online after January 1, 2009 at www.fafsa.ed.gov. International applicants must submit a copy of the International Student Financial Aid form. You will also need to submit a copy of your 2008 tax return to Bard as proof of income.
Q: How is the program structured?
A: Students in Bard's MFA program are in residence for three summers (8 weeks each, in June and July). During the rest of the year (August-May), you complete an independent study project, which you come back and present the following summer. During the third and final summer you present a thesis project to the public. If you start the program in summer 2009, you can complete the program at the end of the 2011 summer session.
Q: How should I submit my letters of recommendation?
A: The preferred method of submission for letters of recommendation is online through our application system, as it is fast, reliable, and matches your letter with your application automatically. We also accept mailed recommendation letters. Letters should be postmarked by the January 15th deadline to ensure that they arrive in time to be reviewed by our admissions committee. If your recommender is mailing a letter, please be sure that they include your full name on the letter so we may match it with your application.
Q: I am reapplying to the program; what do I need to submit?
A: Applicants from 2007 or 2008 still have their previous applications on file and may re-use transcripts and letters of recommendation; all other application materials will need to be resubmitted. Applicants from prior years will need to submit an entirely new application.
Q: I don't know what discipline my work falls into: what should I do?
A: For logistical reasons it is necessary to separate our program into 6 disciplines: Film/Video, Music/Sound, Painting, Photography, Sculpture, and Writing. Students are "housed" in one of these disciplines, but are free to explore and work in forms outside of their discipline. If your portfolio work falls into more than one discipline, you have three options. 1. Consider which discipline you would like to focus your attentions on during your graduate study, and/or which area you identify with more closely. (For instance, if you work in both photography and sculpture, but create your photographs from a three-dimensional angle, you should probably apply to sculpture.) 2. Mark your application as undecided for discipline. Our director will review your application, determine which discipline it is best suited for, and send it to the appropriate admissions committee. 3. Submit two entirely separate applications to two different disciplines, following the portfolio requirements for each. You would need to submit two copies of everything and pay twice the application fee.
Q: Is financial aid available for foreign students?
A: Yes. Foreign students are considered for fellowships and may apply for scholarships. Most foreign students are not eligible for government loans, but you may be able to apply for a loan from your home country.
Q: May I pay my application fee by credit card?
A: Yes. Applicants may pay the application fee of $75 by credit card or electronic debit of a bank account directly from our online application system. The fee may also be paid by money order or a cashier's check (no personal checks) mailed to our office.
Q: My college can't send my transcript by the application deadline. Can I send an unofficial transcript?
A: We do not accept unofficial (copied or opened) transcripts. Transcripts must be mailed to our office directly from the school. Official transcripts postmarked after the deadline are accepted; any transcripts received by the end of January will most likely be reviewed with the rest of your application. We cannot guarantee that transcripts received after that date will make it into your file in time to be reviewed by the admissions comittee.
Q: What are the requirements for foreign applicants?
A: Foreign applicants are required to submit the same application materials and fee as US applicants. In addition, applicants for whom English is not a first language must demonstrate English speaking proficiency. There are three ways to meet this requirement: 1. Show proof of a college degree earned at an English-speaking institution, 2. Score at least 100 on the internet (iBT) Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), 3. Score at least 250 on the computerized (CBT) TOEFL or at least 600 on the paper (PBT) test and show English-speaking proficiency.
Q: What is the total cost of the program?
A: The estimated tuition for 3 years (starting in 2009) is $47,000. Fees for 3 years are approximately $1,300. On-campus housing (optional) for 3 summer sessions is estimated at $4,000. Over 95% of our students receive financial aid in the form of fellowships and/or scholarships to offset part of the cost.
Q: What should I include in my portfolio?
A: Specific portfolio requirements for each discipline can be found on the website below. In general, your portfolio should demonstrate a broad spectrum of work over the past three years. You may include multiple works from a particular series, but it is recommended that your portfolio not consist entirely of one series of work. Sculptors and those with large installation pieces may include overview shots of an installation as well as detail shots. Music/Sound and Film/Video applicants should limit their overall length to 30 minutes, but can include segments from a number of longer works. Writers may submit 15-20 pages from one longer work or multiple examples of shorter work.
If your work spans more than one discipline, you can include work from the other disciplines as well. Applicants to Film/Video, Music/Sound, or Writing can submit a supplementary CD or DVD containing images, writing samples, or sound/video work. Applicants to Painting, Photography, or Sculpture should submit videos or writing samples through the SlideRoom online portfolio system.
We do not accept slides or prints. Please do not submit any original or valuable materials, as we do not return any application or portfolio materials.
More Information: http://www.bard.edu/mfa/admission/applying
Q: When and how will I be notified about my admission status?
A: If you apply for summer 2009, you will be given a date (probably in mid to late February) after which you can log into your Embark account to check your admission status. A letter or email with your status will also be sent to you. Those who are offered interviews will then be notified in late March or early April regarding whether they have been accepted, placed on the wait list, or not offered a space in our program.
Q: Will I be notified when my application is received?
A: With our new online application through Embark, you will create an account that you can access repeatedly to complete your application. Once you've submitted your application you will receive an automated email from Embark confirming it's submission; within the next few days you will receive a second email confirming it's receipt by our program.
After submitting your application through Embark you will be able to log in and check what other materials (such as letters of recommendation, transcripts, and portfolios) have been received. You will also be sent an email once all application materials have been received and processed by our office letting you know that your application is complete.
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