Bard College at Simon's Rock: the Early College
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International Students

Simon’s Rock enthusiastically welcomes applications from international students. Living with and learning from a diverse and talented group of peers is a key component of a Simon’s Rock education.

Ishan Guru walking on path with friend

Guidelines for International Applicants

To apply, follow the standard application directions. Here are some guidelines specifically for international students. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact your dedicated international admissions counselor:

Sophie Mettler-Grove

International Admissions Counselor

Remote Interviews

An interview with an admission counselor is required of each applicant. We’ll just be getting to know you as a live, talking, thinking person. And we’ll be glad to answer any questions you or your parents have about us. Interviews can be scheduled before or after the application is submitted.

We prefer that the interview be in-person as part of a visit to campus. We understand that international students may not be able to come to campus for an interview and are happy to arrange a Skype or telephone interview at your convenience. To schedule an interview contact Sophie Mettler-Grove

Sophie Mettler-Grove

International Admission Counselor

International students greatly enrich our community with their perspectives and experiences. In recent years, our student body has included individuals from Bangladesh, Brazil, Bermuda, Burma (Myanmar), Bhutan, China, Dominica, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Israel, Kenya, Korea, Kosovo, Mexico, Moldova, Namibia, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Pakistan, Peru, Turkey, Russia, Singapore, Sudan, Tibet, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and Venezuela. Our small classes and the personalized attention students receive both inside and outside of the classroom help international students to adjust to life on campus and in the United States.

 Campus support for international students

Language Proficiency Requirements

Simon’s Rock courses require a strong facility with the English language. If you are an international student with any of the following, you do not need to take the English Proficiency test.

  • English is your first language
  • You attended a school in which English is the primary language of instruction for at least two years
  • You studied in the United States or in an English-speaking country for at least two years

If none of the above are true, you must submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Applicants should have a TOEFL score of 100 or above, or an IELTS score of 7 or above. Students who score below these minimums will be considered for our Pathways to Academic Success (PACE) Program, which includes an English as a Second Language (ESL) curriculum concurrent to the college curriculum.

Testing Information

Scores should be sent directly to Simon's Rock. Choose one of the agencies listed below for your testing.

  • TOEFL
    Test of English as a Foreign Language
    Add Simon's Rock to your score recipients list by entering our ID code 3795

  • IELTS
    International English Language Testing System
    Requests for score delivery to Simon's Rock must be submitted directly to the test center where you take the IELTS test.

Financial Aid & Scholarships

International Students are eligible to receive Simon’s Rock institutional financial aid and scholarships.

 How to Apply for Financial Aid

 

Visa Applications

Students living abroad, who are not citizens or permanent residents of the United States, will require a student visa to study at Simon's Rock. Following admission to the college, applicants requiring a visa will be sent an I-20, with which they may begin the F-1 student visa application.

“We will remain attentive to the broader implications of new and shifting immigration policy in the U.S.”

When to Apply

Most students apply to the College as 10th and 11th graders. Students in their last year of high school (equivalent to U.S. grade 12) are eligible to apply to start college in our spring semester, which begins in January. Students who graduate from high school early or at a young age are also eligible to apply. If you are an 8th or 9th grader, consider applying to Bard Academy.

 
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