Dive Brief:

• Students with low grades and unimpressive SAT scores can still get in to Bard College by writing four 2,500-word research papers.
• The college says the option is an attempt to strip away the posturing from candidates and reward the best students.
• Bard's president acknowledges the new admission option also attracts attention without lavish new amenities or elaborate marketing, both of which the college cannot afford.

Dive Insight:

Students choose four out of 17 research paper topics selected by the school. The school will also provide the relevant source materials on its web site, though students may perform additional research.