<p>Bard will give better aid to applicants that they like more, and often that means that those applicants have really great transcripts. Yeah, they are need-blind, but do not promise to meet full need. So whose need will they meet? That’s a tough question, but it’s not really tough if you think about it. Bard’s financial aid distribution practices are not very different from those of Sarah Lawrence, for instance: both these schools will consider the student’s academic profile while giving aid. If Bard did not require the transcript/reco until after you enrolled, I would think otherwise, but since it does, oh well…</p>
<p>Anyway, hope for the best. I’m sure they’ll try to meet your need if you averaged an A on the exam.</p>
<p>While I’m talking about Bard’s aid policies, I must say, Bard does not have its priorities right. Its endowment is higher than those of schools like Kenyon and Bates, yet it cannot meet the need of all admitted applicants. The need-blind policy is a nightmare when you don’t promise to meet need!</p>