Also, I'm curious to hear PP's view about comparable SLACs that offer merit aid - can you provide examples?

I dunno, we went to see Bard after visiting Skidmore College and Bard seemed practically straight-edge by comparison. All the online reviews about Skidmore complain about suite-style on-campus housing in which all the other roommates wake-and-bake every day. It was kind of hilarious to read those after noticing "no smoking on campus" signs all over Skidmore -- apparently there is no enforcement at all, at least in the dorms.

Anonymous wrote:If you are not eligible for need based aid then it’s much more expensive than comparable schools because they don’t give merit aid.

That's not true. Bard does offer targeted merit aid.

https://www.bard.edu/financialaid/programs/

Anonymous wrote:A lower level school with a HUGE drug problem

Citations? Personal experience? When? Your kid's experience?

Recent, specific reports, or just general reputation from years ago? Asking seriously.

Friend's kid is at Warren Wilson. Heard of it? Very small. Kid loves it. It's in the mountains. Reportedly small, seminar style classes.

Anonymous wrote:A lower level school with a HUGE drug problem

And no merit. Other schools of this caliber provide merit.

A lower level school with a HUGE drug problem

If you are not eligible for need based aid then it’s much more expensive than comparable schools because they don’t give merit aid.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Looking for a small LAC which emphasizes discussion based/seminar style learning. Would Bard be a good fit?

I’d heard that it wasn’t that great, but a friend’s serious, mild-mannered, sober, medium-stats kid is there and loves it.

The school handled Covid really well last year. They managed to keep in-person classes going without creating big outbreaks.

Small LACs can do that. It’s part of the reason my DD is at one now.

NP and +1 that small LACs can do that. My DC is at Vassar and they had two full semesters on campus last year. Smaller schools overall can handle things like this pretty well if they want.

To the OP, DC has a friend at Bard who likes it there a lot, and we visited there as well. There was a lot of emphasis on smaller classes and seminars. Most LACs will use a discussion based, seminar style of learning. Vassar starts it in freshman year. I"m sure other LACs do as well.

If at ALL possible with Covid, visit anyplace that's a serious contender. Going in person for more than a quick walking tour plus information session is important if your kid is serious about a college. Try to go on one of the special days many LACs have where the students spend a whole day there, hear a panel of students, sit in on a class or two, get specialized tours of departments (not just a generic campus tour), hear from professors, eat in the cafeteria, etc. We attended day-long sessions like those at four LACs and those days were BIG helps in giving DC a much better idea of the schools than if she'd only had the quick overall tour. Look on colleges' websites now for these events because they fill up very quickly. (IF they are having these now, that is -- no idea if these events are happening this fall due to Covid.)

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Looking for a small LAC which emphasizes discussion based/seminar style learning. Would Bard be a good fit?

I’d heard that it wasn’t that great, but a friend’s serious, mild-mannered, sober, medium-stats kid is there and loves it.

The school handled Covid really well last year. They managed to keep in-person classes going without creating big outbreaks.

Small LACs can do that. It’s part of the reason my DD is at one now.

Anonymous wrote:Looking for a small LAC which emphasizes discussion based/seminar style learning. Would Bard be a good fit?

I’d heard that it wasn’t that great, but a friend’s serious, mild-mannered, sober, medium-stats kid is there and loves it.

The school handled Covid really well last year. They managed to keep in-person classes going without creating big outbreaks.

When we toured we saw what was described by the guide as their "largest classroom." It sat maybe 50?

If the student is very lefty/artsy. Bard used to have a druggy reputation, don't know if that is still true.

Anonymous wrote:Looking for a small LAC which emphasizes discussion based/seminar style learning. Would Bard be a good fit?

This is general practice at nearly all SLACs, though there will be often be a few of the bigger intro lecture style courses in popular courses/majors (ECON 101 etc.).

Looking for a small LAC which emphasizes discussion based/seminar style learning. Would Bard be a good fit?