Admission

Two (2) letters of recommendation are required, at least one (1) of which must be from a current or former teacher, professor, or similar figure from an academic setting. The second recommender may be another academic source or, alternatively, someone who has supervised you in a professional, training, or volunteer capacity.

Only one written response is required, Why Queer Leadership? or Reflections on Queerness. Show us how you think, what you think about, and your personality. Please check for grammar, spelling, and word usage. 

1) Why Queer Leadership?

Joining a novel queer leadership program is an intrepid academic choice. What goals, ambitions, and motivations have led you to apply for admission to Bard Queer Leadership Project at Simon's Rock? Are there particular experiences, either academic or personal, that have contributed to your desire to focus your studies on queer leadership? How does the particular kind of education and community that the BQLP and Simon's Rock offer fit your own desires for intellectual and personal growth? How will your presence affect the academic and social development of the project? (250–1000 words)

2) Reflections on Queerness

Choose one the following options (250–1000 words):

1. How old were you when you first understood that people may not fit neatly into the gender binary? How did you first react to that reality? Has your relationship to the idea of non-binary identities changed over time? If so, how?

2. The term 'queer' has evolved much in recent years, with a great variety of meanings between people and groups. What does Queer mean to you personally? What has influenced your current understanding of the term?

3. What would be the characteristics of an ideal Queer or LGBTQIA+ affirming world? How might queer leadership serve to achieve this vision? 

4. How has your understanding of transgender identities evolved over time? Who or what has influenced your thinking?

An interview with an admission counselor is required of each applicant. We prefer that the interview be in-person as part of a visit to campus but we also schedule virtual and phone interviews. For non-in-person interviews, you will be invited to interview after submitting your application.

Transcripts* from all secondary (high school) and post-secondary (college/university) institutions you have attended must be submitted either at the time of application, or uploaded to your application portal after submission. While unofficial transcripts are acceptable for admission review, with official transcripts being required at the time of enrollment.

*Prospective students who have not received a high school diploma or who have alternative secondary school credentials are encouraged to apply.

International students may need to submit English proficiency scores.

College entrance exam scores are optional.

A current resume detailing your academic history, activities, and any professional/volunteer experiences may be included in your application materials.

We invite you to submit a piece of your own work (or description of a project, in any form you deem appropriate) that has particularly intrigued and excited you. Examples include but are not limited to a writing sample, a position paper, a problem solution, a poem or short story, a graded test, a research paper, a science project, a copy of a drawing, painting, or photograph, or a recording of music, a film, or a performance. Upload optional work on your Application Status page.

Who should Apply & When?

The BQLP accepts applications from high school seniors, recent high school graduates, transfer applicants from other colleges/universities, and A.A. alumni of Bard College at Simon’s Rock.

For students currently in Grades 9–11, we encourage you to apply directly to Bard College at Simon’s Rock where you will be able to concentrate in Queer Leadership.

Deadlines

• Spring 2025
  • Regular Decision – November 1
• Fall 2025
  • Early Action – December 1
  • Regular Decision – April 1

Early Action

Applicants who complete their BQLP application, provide all required materials, and interview by the early action deadline will qualify for an additional $10,000 in QLS scholarship funding. Early action applicants will receive their admission decision by the dates specified above.

Need-based Financial Aid

About 80 percent of Simon’s Rock students receive a financial aid package — usually a combination of awards, grants, Federal Work-Study Program, and loans. In addition to need-based awards, students are eligible to apply for federal and state aid, as well as any funding that may be available through private scholarships offered through local organizations.

Bard Queer Leadership Project Scholarships

The Bard Queer Leadership Scholarship (QLS) is designed to assist students interested in pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree program designed for, and by, LGBTQIA+ college students to elevate LGBTQIA+ students and college graduates into leadership roles in school and across the workforce. All admitted BQLP applicants will automatically be considered for this $20,000 annual scholarship.