Barnard College, situated in Manhattan and affiliated with Columbia University, combines the benefits of an all-female college with access to Columbia’s resources. These factors contribute to its growing appeal, reflected in a declining acceptance rate that fell below 10% for the second consecutive year in 2023. This marks a significant shift from the more accessible admissions landscape of the past, where Barnard accepted 50% of applicants in 1995 and 31% in 2009.
What is The Barnard College Early Decision Acceptance Rate?
For the Class of 2027, Barnard received 1,671 applications through binding Early Decision. Although official outcomes are pending, the school anticipates that ED admits will constitute 60% of the freshman class. In the preceding cycle, the Class of 2026 witnessed a 29% acceptance rate in the Early Decision round.
What is The Barnard Acceptance Rate?
In the most recent admissions cycle, Barnard College received 11,803 applications. The Barnard acceptance rate for the Class of 2027 stood at 6.5% in 2023, marking the lowest admit rate in the school’s history. Here are the recent acceptance rates at Barnard:
Class of 2026: 9% Class of 2025: 11% Class of 2024: 14%
What is The Barnard College SAT, ACT, and Class Rank?
For students in the Class of 2026, the mid-50% SAT score ranged from 1430 to 1530, while the ACT range was between 32 and 34. It’s worth noting that a significant portion of this freshman class opted not to submit standardized test scores. Impressively, 93% of the freshmen entering in the 2022-23 academic year ranked in the top decile of their high school class.
What is The Admission Insights at The Barnard College?
- Barnard College has maintained its test-optional policy for the past three admission cycles, and this will remain unchanged for applicants seeking admission in Fall 2024.
- Among admitted Early Decision (ED) applicants, 54% chose to apply test-optional. Interestingly, among those accepted, 49% still included an SAT/ACT result.
- A notable milestone for the school is that 58% of the admitted Class of 2027 cohort comprised women of color, marking a record high.
- International applicants constituted 14% of the admitted students, representing 40 different countries.
- The admit pool for the Class of 2027 included 21% first-generation students, reflecting Barnard’s commitment to diversity and accessibility.
What is The Admission Criteria at The Barnard College?
Barnard College identifies five factors as “very important” in its admissions process: rigor of high school course load, GPA, recommendations, essays, and character/personal qualities. Additionally, it considers class rank, extracurricular activities, talent/ability, and volunteer/paid work as “important” factors.
Providing insight into the institution’s admission priorities, the admissions office states:
“While admission is highly selective, it is also holistic; no one criterion or score determines acceptance. We consider each applicant in terms of their personal qualities, intellectual capacity, and the rigor of the curriculum they have pursued, as well as their potential for achieving at Barnard.” “We review each applicant in the context of their school, community, and individual story, meaning that we will never compare applicants to each other. We want to see how you have pushed yourself and succeeded with the resources and opportunities that have been available to you.” Given Barnard’s emphasis on achievements beyond academics, understanding what highly-competitive colleges seek in extracurricular activities is crucial. Essentially, they seek commitment and achievement in 2-3 core areas.
What is The Barnard College Demographics?
Barnard College Demographics Let’s explore the demographics of the Barnard College undergraduate student body.
Regional representation among the Class of 2026 is as follows:
- Mid-Atlantic: 14%
- West: 14%
- Midwest/Southwest: 9%
- New England: 8%
- South: 10%
- West: 19%
The top states represented in the undergraduate student body are:
- New York
- California
- New Jersey
- Massachusetts
- Florida
Regarding ethnic identity, the breakdown of the Class of 2026 is as follows:
- White: 39%
- Asian: 28%
- Hispanic: 18%
- African American: 12%
- International: 9%
Those accepted Early Decision into the Class of 2026 attended the following types of high schools:
- Public: 56%
- Private: 34%
What is The Barnard College Yield Rate?
Barnard College boasts a robust yield rate of 65%. In comparison, other leading liberal arts institutions such as Wesleyan University, Haverford College, and Vassar demonstrate notably lower yield rates.
The Barnard College Application Process Key Tips
If you’re gearing up to apply to Barnard College among the 11,000+ hopefuls for the next admissions cycle, here are some essential tips:
- Consider applying Early Decision I by November 1 if Barnard is your top choice.
- Take advantage of the opportunity for interviews, which are part of the evaluation process.
- Barnard College does value demonstrated interest, so engage with them on social media, attend virtual info sessions, visit campus if feasible, and reach out to admissions officers.
- Dedicate ample time and effort to the two supplemental writing prompts required by Barnard College.
Conclusion
Barnard College stands as a prestigious institution with a rich history and a commitment to academic excellence. With its highly selective admissions process, it’s crucial for applicants to understand the unique characteristics valued by the college. By considering the tips provided and highlighting their strengths in the application, prospective students can enhance their chances of securing a spot at this esteemed institution.