Frequently Asked Questions

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How do I apply?

Apply to BGIA

• Bard College Annandale students must moderate before attending BGIA. Bard students must also submit an interest form before applying to BGIA. Please check with your advisor.
• If you are studying at another college in the United States, please talk to your advisor and study abroad office. Some schools may require that you submit an internal application first. Schedule a meeting with your study abroad office as soon as possible so that you are aware of any additional requirements and deadlines.
• If you are an Open Society University Network (OSUN) student, you must apply via a separate portal.

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When is the application deadline?

BGIA has two deadlines for each term: early decision and regular admission. Early decision is ideal for students who want to get a head start on the internship application process.
Fall Semester

• Regular Admission: April 1 
• Early Decision: March 15

Spring Semester

• Regular Admission: November 1
• Early Decision: October 15

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When do applications open?

Applications open roughly three months before the deadline. If you would like to be notified by email when applications open, please fill out the BGIA interest form.
Contact Us

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Who is eligible to apply to BGIA?

College sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Where applicable, we also accept recent college grads. 

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May I apply if I’m a senior?

Yes, students can attend BGIA during their senior year, or shortly after graduating.

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May I apply if I have already graduated from college?

Yes, BGIA accepts recent college graduates. Students will receive a certificate of completion and a transcript from Bard College. Grads should also consider the one-year MA in Global Studies program, which offers courses and internships in NYC.

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May I attend BGIA for more than one semester?

Bard College students may petition to do the BGIA program for a full academic year. If you are not enrolled at Bard, please ask your institution’s study abroad office.

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Are all majors welcome to apply?

BGIA is designed for students of all academic majors with a demonstrated interest in international affairs. We have had students majoring in political science, international studies, economics, history, biology, computer science, pre-law, English, music performance, gender studies, Middle Eastern studies, and many more fields. Schedule a meeting with us to see if BGIA is the right fit for your course of study.

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How competitive is the admission process?

BGIA is an extremely competitive program. We receive applications from talented students at colleges and universities across the country, and around the world via the Open Society University Network (OSUN).

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What are the key criteria for admission?

BGIA students are selected through a competitive application process, but there is no single requirement that applicants must meet. BGIA candidates may have strong writing and research skills or a track record of leadership on campus and in the community. Foreign language skills and previous work experience are also considered. Schedule a meeting with our staff to discuss if BGIA is the right fit for you.

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Does BGIA offer financial aid or scholarships?

Yes, BGIA offers need-based financial aid towards the cost of tuition. Students are responsible for housing, transportation, and meal costs. If you receive federal aid, it will transfer to BGIA. Many schools allow you to transfer your institutional aid as well. Please speak with your school’s financial aid office.

If you are a student at a BGIA partner school, then your aid may transfer automatically. Please get in touch with us, and speak with your school’s study abroad office for more information.

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Does BGIA offer financial aid for international students?

Yes, international students studying in the United States are eligible for BGIA financial aid. Students from Open Society University Network (OSUN) schools should speak with their advisors, as policies vary by institution.

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How many credits will students earn in a semester?

Students earn up to 16 transferable college credits, taking a full course load of four courses at four credits each. Most students will take the full course load, but it is also possible to take three courses for a total of 12 credits.

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What are classes like? 

• BGIA offers a variety of different courses throughout the year, focused on a wide range of areas. They include a writing course, taught by award-winning journalists, the intersection of foreign policy and technology, global health, global risk, gender equity, migration, and economics.
• Most faculty are practitioners, experts at the top of their field. 
• Classes are seminar style, kept small to encourage interaction. Most are writing intensive. 
• As a bonus, BGIA offers writing tutoring throughout the semester.

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What courses are required?

All students are required to take the Core Seminar. The Core Seminar provides an academic framework to contextualize the internship. It’s meant to provide students with a broader understanding of the international affairs career landscape, with careers in government, multilateral organizations, nonprofit, arts, and business, while also learning about organizational management. Students may then choose two or three electives.

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Does BGIA offer language classes? 

No, BGIA does not offer language instruction. However, students are welcome to take language classes outside of BGIA or join a language exchange program.

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Will my credits transfer? 

BGIA credits transfer to most schools in the United States. Please speak with your advisor to confirm. At Bard College and BGIA partner schools, credits transfer automatically. 

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How does BGIA appear on my transcript?

Upon completion of the program, BGIA students receive a certificate and a transcript from Bard College.

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Are internships required?

Yes. All students are required to work a professional internship for the duration of the semester, at 20 hours per week.

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How do I secure an internship?

Students apply to internships independently, before starting the program. BGIA helps every step of the way. 

Upon acceptance, BGIA works with students one-on-one on their resumes, cover letters, and practice interviews. BGIA will then suggest several internship opportunities from our list of partners. Students typically apply for up to 10 internships and have two or three virtual interviews. Most students receive an internship offer before beginning the program. In the rare case that a student is not offered a position, BGIA will utilize its network to place the student in an appropriate location.

Note that the internship application process begins before students arrive in New York City. Applying for internships is a very time-consuming process, so students should manage their time accordingly.

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Can I intern at an organization not listed on BGIA’s website?

Yes, students may look for opportunities outside of BGIA’s list of partners. BGIA must vet new partners before students apply. BGIA internships must be within the field of international affairs.

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Are internships paid? Is there an internship stipend?

BGIA students are eligible to apply for both paid and unpaid internships. However, students should not rely on having a paid position. Some opportunities are paid, some are unpaid, and others offer stipends to offset travel, meals, etc. 

Note that students may work part-time during the program. In the past, students have worked in food service, retail, etc. BGIA will not assist students in finding part-time employment.

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Is there a meal plan/dining hall at the dorm?

No. The dormitory has shared kitchen areas where students can prepare meals, and kitchenettes in each room.

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Where is the Bard dormitory?

Student dorms are located in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, with access to the L, G, M, J, and Z subway lines.

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Are single rooms available at the dorm?

Bard’s dormitory in Brooklyn is double occupancy.

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Does the Bard dormitory have a gym? Parking?

Currently the dormitory does not have a gym or car parking. New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Washington, DC, and several other destinations in the northeast and mid-Atlantic regions are easily accessible by train.

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Where are classes held?

BGIA’s office and classroom space is located at 108 W 39th Street, close to Times Square and Bryant Park subway stations. Internship sites are located throughout the city. Most subway lines connect in Times Square, where our classrooms are located.

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How long is the commute from Bard’s dormitory to BGIA’s classrooms? 

Roughly 25 minutes by subway.

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How do students commute? 

Students commute via the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA), which includes subway, bus, and ferry lines. Students are responsible for their own transportation costs, and can purchase a 30-day unlimited MetroCard for $127.

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Are students allowed to opt out of Bard housing?

Students may request to live with a close family member residing in the five boroughs of New York City (Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Staten Island.) BGIA will evaluate each request individually, and reserves the right to decline as necessary. We consider factors such as the proximity to BGIA’s classrooms in Times Square and the student’s familiarity with the MTA transit system.

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What health services can students access at BGIA?

All students must maintain health insurance for the duration of the program. Bard offers insurance and can refer students to in-network counseling services.