ReInventor

Has anyone has any experience with this? I'd like to hear about it from people who attend an IDP day.

2forcollege

My D sent in the request form for IDP several weeks ago. We have heard nothing back confirming the date. She really likes the idea of this application option, so I hope it works for her.

cadbury

My D applied through IDP last fall. She participated in mid-November, and was notified that she was accepted within the week. That's pretty cool. On the other hand, after getting the acceptance letter (sans preliminary financial aid), she really didn't hear anything from Bard again until the first week in April, after all her other acceptances were in. I found them to be pretty impersonal. (Others have noted that they don't encourage/accommodate students from out of the area re: staying on campus.) While she was very interested in Bard, she got a much better financial aid package elsewhere (Drew) and will be going there.

ReInventor

I recieved my IDP confirmation letter yesterday. I'm not really sure what to expect of the process.

Proud Dad

You have to understand Bard. ID is just another choice offered in the decision process for those who find it intriguing and interesting, and for those who feel comfortable doing it. It is for the benefit of the students/applicants that choose to use it. From those I've talked to, the process is not intimidating, is very personal, and is a true dialog. My D chose the EA route, has been at Bard now for a month, and couldn't be happier.

If you applied for ID without any knowledge of the process, there's a short review of the mechanics of it on the Bard website Q&A here.

rgwardrn

My son is a sophomore at Bard and was accepted under IDP. It is true that once accepted under IDP, you won't hear from Bard again until the spring. They do not do a lot of courting of students and there is definitely no hand-holding. The only correspondence we get from there as parents of an enrolled student is a monthly tuition bill (they let you divide your tuition payments into 10 payments without interest, which is very convenient) and the quarterly alumni magazine (which I refer to as our $50,000.00 magazine subscription).

When my son participated in the IDP on Bard campus, he had lots of interaction with other kids applying. While awaiting his interview, all the kids were saying, "good luck, hope you get in, etc." to each other, and really meant it. This was not an atmosphere of cutthroat competition. He came away saying that if these were the types of people who go to Bard, he definitely wanted to go.

My advice to ReInventor is: be sure you do all the reading they require prior to IDP, make notes in the margins, and participate in the classroom discussion without monopolizing or being obnoxious. This is not the place to show how much smarter you are than everyone else, but an opportunity to make some thoughtful comments.

We stayed at the Red Hook Inn for the night. The food isn't great, but the proprietors are nice. They asked us to call and let them know if my son got in and said they would hold a room for us for Parents' weekend in October (remember, this was the November before). Also, there is a B & B just a few minutes away in Tivoli, which is really an apartment with two bedrooms and a fantastic breakfast, called The Bird's Nest.

The best part of IDP is that it is not binding. You have 'til spring to decide, which takes some of the pressure off. Good luck!

ReInventor

That all sounds great, thank you. How long was the classroom time? I'm looking forward to interacting with the other applicants because Bard seems to attract a nice bunch of kids.

Luckily I live only a few hours from Bard so I won't need to stay overnight, but thank you for the suggestions.

rgwardrn

I just found the actual confirmation letter from 2005: started @ 9:30 a.m., concluded by 4:00 p.m., comprised of 3 activities: a morning seminar, lunch and afternoon interviews. Your entire application has to be in to Admissions at least one week prior to IDP .

writer_gal

I did IDP last year, and it was overall a wonderful experience. It really lets you see what Bard is about. Plus, the interview is great because they go through your application with you, so they can ask you about things on it and if something is weaker (for instance, my grades were a little lower than they would have liked), you can really explain why.

I was accepted but had applied ED to another school at the same time. Once I got my acceptance letter from Bard, I wondered if I had made the right decision in applying ED elsewhere. I am currently at my ED school and am still wondering the same thing.

2forcollege

My D is applying IDP this year. Is it better for her to use the Bard Application or the Common?

Proud Dad

I don't think the school has a preference as long as the complete application and supporting documents are received a minimum of one week prior to the IDP date. If your D is up-to-date on her applications and school-supplied recommendations and forms, then the Common App should be fine. Though with changes to the Common App this year not allowing saving or copying to resend later, it might be less advantageous for students applying early than in the past. You can read about it here and elsewhere on CC.

2forcollege

Thank you Proud Dad...that was very helpful.

ReInventor

In what capacity do parents participate in the day? Are they involved at all, are they expected to stay on campus, or can they leave? My parents would like to know.

Proud Dad

My D did not choose IDP but I'd say, other than a campus tour and maybe lunch, the Ps don't have any involvement. I know some kids who went by themselves. There is quite a lot to do in the area though.

2forcollege

Got our plane tickets today for IDP...the airfares finally went down! Now if I could find good deals for hotels and a rental car.