barnard supplemental essays 2023

Barnard College Columbia University

Barnard Writing Supplement Questions

In addition to the personal essay which you will submit through the Common Application or QuestBridge, Barnard asks first-year applicants to respond to institution-specific Writing Supplement questions. We recommend spending time to thoughtfully consider these questions and your responses. Your answers to these questions, in conjunction with the rest of your application, will help the Admissions Committee understand how you may contribute to our community both academically and personally.

Below are the Barnard Writing Supplement questions for first-year students. Please note that the questions may change from year to year.

• Required: Our backgrounds and experiences shape how we navigate the world and see ourselves. Tell us about when, where, or with whom you feel your most authentic, powerful self. How might Barnard College further cultivate this version of you? (250 words max)
• Required: Barnard College celebrates intellectual risk-taking, and we believe that academic inquiry starts with bold questions. What questions do you have about the world around you, and why do they matter to you? (250 words max)
• Optional: As a college for women, “Barnard embraces its responsibility to address gender issues in all their complexity and urgency to help students achieve the personal strength that will enable them to meet the challenges they will encounter throughout their lives.” How have you thought about gender in your academic life thus far and how has it shaped your learning experiences? (250 words max)
• Optional: Barnard College’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion mission statement says “Our commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity has the potential to disrupt and transform entrenched practices and thinking.” In what ways have you challenged ideas, practices, or spaces? What did you learn from these experiences? (250 words max)
• Optional: Pick one woman — a historical figure, a fictitious character, or a modern individual — who you’d like to converse with for an hour and explain your choice. Why does this person intrigue you? What would you talk about? What questions would you ask her? (250 words max)

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How to Respond to the 2023/2024 Barnard Supplemental Essay Prompts

Cece Gilmore is a Content Writer at Scholarships360. Cece earned her undergraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from Arizona State University. While at ASU, she was the education editor as well as a published staff reporter at Downtown Devil. Cece was also the co-host of her own radio show on Blaze Radio ASU.

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Bill Jack has over a decade of experience in college admissions and financial aid. Since 2008, he has worked at Colby College, Wesleyan University, University of Maine at Farmington, and Bates College.

Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania.

Barnard College is a private women’s liberal arts college that is found within Columbia University. It is located in the heart of the city that never sleeps, New York City. Barnard is extremely selective as its acceptance rate lies around 11%. So, how do we help make you a part of that 11%? In order to apply, students must complete two Barnard supplemental essays and one optional Barnard supplemental essay.

Before you begin answering the Barnard supplemental essay questions, it is important to do your research. Find out what parts of Barnard excite you and differentiate from other colleges. Here’s our guide for how to ace the Barnard College supplemental essay questions!

Before answering the essay questions 

All Barnard College applicants have to respond to two required 250 word maximum Barnard supplemental essays. There are also three additional optional Barnard supplemental essays that also have a 250 word maximum, 

250 words is not a lot. Therefore, it is best to be direct and concise with your responses! To ensure you do not drag on, brainstorm! This will allow you to plan out responses carefully to fit your personality into your response without it being over the word count. 

If your response ends up being too long, try to get rid of filler or transition words. Give your essay to someone you trust to read it over to help get fresh eyes to eliminate words as well! Doing this will make your Barnard supplemental essay responses stand out from the rest! 

Required: Essay question #1 

“Our backgrounds and experiences shape how we navigate the world and see ourselves. Tell us about when, where, or with whom you feel your most authentic, powerful self. How might Barnard further cultivate this version of you? (250 words max)”

Barnard recognizes that everyone is different and comes from different walks of life. So, this is your opportunity to describe your unique qualities, background and experiences. However, it is important to note that the second part of this prompt “How might Barnard further cultivate this version of you?” is the real question Barnard is asking! Draw connections between where or how you feel your most authentic, powerful self and qualities Barnard demonstrates. For example, if your Latina heritage is an important part of your identity, you should discuss your interest and excitement about joining the Mujeres club for Barnard Latinas . 

The way you should format your response to this prompt is by first telling a story about a background, experience, identity, etc that demonstrates your authentic self! Then, describe 1-2 aspects of Barnard you are looking forward to participating in or being a part of that connects to this identity. If you cannot find an aspect of Barnard that completely matches your identity, then you can even discuss a club or idea you have that you hope to bring to the Barnard community! 

Questions to consider

• What makes you unique? Can you describe a story that demonstrates important parts of your identity or culture? 
• Who or what makes you feel like your authentic and true self?
• What aspects of Barnard are you excited to discover or join? Is this a specific club, a class, a piece of equipment on campus? Describe it in detail to demonstrate your interest! 

Required: Essay question #2

“Barnard College celebrates intellectual risk-taking and we believe that academic inquiry starts with bold questions. What questions do you have about the world around you, and why do they matter to you? (250 words max)”

This prompt is essentially asking you to describe what interests you. Barnard wants to get to know its applicants. 

Choosing just one or two “bold” questions is a difficult task. Therefore, you must brainstorm before answering this essay prompt. Write a list of questions that you have always wondered about. You can approach this prompt by choosing two to three broad issues or one in-depth question. 

Once you have selected what question or questions you want to dive into, make sure to connect these back to Barnard’s resources. How will Barnard be able to help you explore these questions? Is there a particular class or club offered that will allow you to quench your curiosity? Remember, Barnard wants to see applicants who have done their research and are serious about attending their college. 

• How have you been challenged in the past? 
• Have you ever changed your mind on a topic? Why or why not? 
• What is a topic you are passionate about? If you had to give a TED Talk on a specific topic, what would it be about? 

Optional: Essay questions 

Although this essay is optional, no essay is truly optional when it comes to the college admissions process. Be sure to complete each of the Barnard supplemental essays, as you want to take advantage of any presented opportunity to reveal more about your personality.

Optional Essay #1

“Barnard’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion mission statement says “Our commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity has the potential to disrupt and transform entrenched practices and thinking.” In what ways have you challenged ideas, practices, or spaces? What did you learn from these experiences? (250 words max)”

This prompt is interested in getting to know the core beliefs of students and how far they’ve gone to uphold these beliefs. Ultimately, Barnard wants to invite students to campus who act to make change. So, if this prompt sounds up your alley, respond to it! 

Try and think of a time in which you disagreed with some sort of regulation, rule, statement, etc and what you did to disrupt or transform these entrenched practices and thinking. This example can be as big or as small as you would like! Remember, Barnard knows that you are just a high school student, so they are not expecting you to have organized a huge uprising! For example, you can discuss a time you stood up to your principal over an unfair and sexist dress code or how you attended a local politician’s rally to protest their want to shut down a local business. Whatever your experience, a strong response will feature a story about the experience and then most importantly a reflection that shows what you learned from this experience and what you will take with you to Barnard in order to make some changes there. 

• What are some core beliefs you hold? 
• Have you ever challenged an idea, practice or space? Why? How did you go about doing so? Would you do anything differently? 
• Why is disrupting unfair practices important? 

Optional Essay #2

“ As a college for women, “Barnard embraces its responsibility to address gender issues in all their complexity and urgency to help students achieve the personal strength that will enable them to meet the challenges they will encounter throughout their lives.” How have you thought about gender in your academic life thus far and how has it shaped your learning experiences? (250 words max)”

Barnard is an all-women college which is an important part of their identity and values. Therefore, they unfortunately understand and recognize that women are typically a marginalized community in a lot of aspects. Barnard is interested to hear about how being a woman has influenced your learning experiences thus far. So, this could be the perfect opportunity for you to discuss any challenges you have faced. For example, perhaps in your engineering elective class in high school you are the only girl which has unfortunately come with some snide comments in class. Or perhaps you had to work hard to get your voice heard during an English presentation in which 2 boys were paired with you. Be sure to be as specific as possible while writing your response! And remember, no challenge is too small of a challenge to write about! All Barnard wants to hear in this response is that you have worked harder to become the smart and amazing woman you are today. 

• How has being a woman brought challenges in your academic life? 
• What have you learned about yourself from these challenges? 
• Why do you want to attend an all-women college? What differences in your education do you believe there will be, if any? 

Optional Essay #3

“Pick one woman — a historical figure, fictitious character, or modern individual — to converse with for an hour and explain your choice. Why does this person intrigue you? What would you talk about? What questions would you ask them? (250 words max)”

Barnard is an all-women college. This means that your answer should reveal how much being surrounded by strong women appeals to you. This essay provides you with a lot of creative freedom. 

To begin, you should pick a woman who means something to you. You can spend a few minutes writing down a list of women who are important to you or have inspired you in some way. Then narrow down this list to one woman you should love to talk with for an hour. Some women you can choose from are Taylor Swift, Hermonie Granger, or your grandma! The limits are endless. 

Remember that this essay is about you and not the woman that you are choosing to write about. Therefore, make sure to tie all of your statements back to yourself. Be sure to reveal pieces of your personality that you have not already in this application. 

Choose someone that you genuinely admire! Do not pick someone that you think the admissions officers want to hear. Rather, be true to yourself and your heroines. 

• Who is the most inspirational woman in your life? 
• Who is the strongest woman you have learned about? 
• Who is your favorite woman in a television show or book? 

Should I answer the optional Barnard College questions? 

Even though some of these questions are optional, responding to as many questions strongly should be a priority if Barnard College is a top-choice for you! Try to think about your application as a whole, if there are some aspects of your background or academic progress you feel need to be reiterated, then taking advantage of the optional essays might be a good idea! 

Additionally, optional essays are a great opportunity to showcase your unique qualities and experiences that will make you a valuable addition to Barnard’s community. So, if you have something exceptional to share that hasn’t been covered by the required supplemental essays, definitely consider using the optional essays for this purpose! 

Overall, keep in mind that it’s better to submit a strong, well-written essay than to submit an optional essay that adds little value to your application. Do not feel compelled to write an optional supplemental essay just for the sake of responding to it! Rather, respond to the optional essays in order to enhance your application and increase your chances of being accepted into Barnard. 

So long story short, respond to as many Barnard optional supplemental essays as possible as long as they are still strengthening your application and providing valuable information not covered elsewhere. 

Next steps after applying to Barnard College

Congratulations! You are now done with the Barnard College supplemental essays! It is time to submit your flawless application! 

The next step after you submit your application would be to continue to show demonstrated interest in Barnard so they know you are committed and prioritizing their school (even if you have a few other top choices.) 

How can I show demonstrated interest in Barnard College? 

• Apply Early Decision
• Interview, if offered
• Attend a campus tour
• Complete any optional essays
• Contact an admissions officer

Essentially, by taking advantage of one of the above suggestions, Barnard will see how committed you are to their college. This will give you a leg up above the competition. 

Additional resources

As you are in the middle of the college application process, it can be stressful. There are a lot of tough decisions you will have to make. Luckily, we have an abundance of resources to make the college process a little easier on you. 

• How many schools should you apply to?
• How to find safety, reach, and match schools
• Should you send your test scores to test-optional schools ? 

Finally, make you that you apply to all the scholarships you qualify for!

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Other colleges to consider

• New York University (New York, NY)
• Columbia University (New York, NY)
• Wellesley College (Wellesley, MA)
• Vassar College (Poughkeepsie, NY)

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Barnard College

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Want to see your chances of admission at Barnard College?

We take every aspect of your personal profile into consideration when calculating your admissions chances.

Barnard College’s 2023-24 Essay Prompts

Self realization short response.

Our backgrounds and experiences shape how we navigate the world and see ourselves. Tell us about when, where, or with whom you feel your most authentic, powerful self. How might Barnard further cultivate this version of you?

Intellectual Curiosity Short Response

Barnard celebrates intellectual risk-taking, and we believe that academic inquiry starts with bold questions. What questions do you have about the world around you, and why do they matter to you?

Gap Year Short Response

In the box below, please indicate if you are considering a deferral to Fall 2025 if you are offered admission for Fall 2024. Please note that admitted students will be required to submit a deferral request form with a detailed outline of their plans by February 2024 for students admitted through Early Decision and by April 2024 for students admitted through Regular Decision.

Science Pathways Scholars Short Response

The Science Pathways Scholars Program (SP)2 aims to support underrepresented students of color and first-generation students as they pursue careers in science research. Please discuss your interest in science research and future career goals. You may choose to reflect on past experiences or projects, role models, or ideas for research that you would like to explore.

Select-A-Prompt Short Response

If you would like to respond to one of our optional questions, please choose from the selected prompts below:

Barnard’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion mission statement says “Our commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity has the potential to disrupt and transform entrenched practices and thinking.” In what ways have you challenged ideas, practices, or spaces? What did you learn from these experiences?

As a college for women, “Barnard embraces its responsibility to address gender issues in all their complexity and urgency to help students achieve the personal strength that will enable them to meet the challenges they will encounter throughout their lives.” How have you thought about gender in your academic life thus far and how has it shaped your learning experiences?

Pick one woman — a historical figure, a fictitious character, or a modern individual — who you’d like to converse with for an hour and explain your choice. Why does this person intrigue you? What would you talk about? What questions would you ask her?

Common App Personal Essay

The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don‘t feel obligated to do so.

Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?

Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you‘ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

What will first-time readers think of your college essay?

How to Get Into Barnard Guide

How to get into Barnard—General Information

Barnard College is a women’s liberal arts college located in New York City. Founded in 1889, Barnard College was the first college in NYC to offer degrees to women. US News ranks Barnard at #17 in National Liberal Arts Colleges. 

As an affiliated college of Columbia University, Barnard students have the advantage of getting a high-quality liberal arts education with accessibility to a major research university. Students enrolled in the college have access to a big-city lifestyle with a more intimate and personalized campus setting. No wonder you want to know how to get into Barnard! 

If you’re interested in joining this elite community of women , then you’re in luck. We’ll give you the best tips on how to get into Barnard by making yourself a competitive candidate for Barnard admissions. 

What we’ll cover in this How to Get into Barnard Guide: 

• Average Barnard GPA
• Optimal Barnard SAT scores
• Barnard acceptance rate (including Barnard Early Decision acceptance rate)
• Expectations related to the Barnard admissions process
• Barnard supplemental essays
• Advice for the Barnard interview, and more!

Figuring out how to get into Barnard takes strategy. We can help. CollegeAdvisor.com’s network of 300+ Admissions Experts (and former Admissions Officers) includes Barnard graduates. Want to maximize your Barnard admissions odds? Create your free account or schedule a free advising consultation by calling (844) 343-6272.

How can I get into Barnard?

Wondering how to get into Barnard College? Barnard is one of the most selective institutions in the US, making it an exciting higher education opportunity for many. Your “how to get into Barnard” strategy starts with research, so let’s discuss some important details about the Barnard admissions and application process. 

First, keep in mind Barnard College has an undergraduate enrollment of about 3,000 students with a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 and nearly 50 majors to choose from. This makes Barnard a small selective school offering students individual attention in the classroom and beyond. 

When thinking about how to get into Barnard, your first step will be figuring out how to apply! Barnard admissions accepts applications through both the Common Application and the Coalition Application. 

For expert tips on acing the Common Application, check out our Guide to the Common App .

Is it hard to get into Barnard?

Barnard College is one of the most selective academic institutions in the country . The Barnard acceptance rate is 11% for first-year applicants. The Barnard Early Decision acceptance rate for the class of 2026 was 29% . Barnard SAT scores and Barnard GPA are well above average for the accepted student. 

There are no quick tricks when it comes to learning how to get into Barnard. Falling under the umbrella of its affiliate, Columbia University, some consider Barnard College an Ivy League school. Early planning and preparation is the best way to maximize your admissions odds and beat the low Barnard Early Decision acceptance rate or regular Barnard acceptance rate. 

Beating the Barnard acceptance rate or the Barnard Early Decision acceptance rate lies heavily in academic achievement. However, don’t panic if you don’t have the perfect Barnard GPA or Barnard SAT scores. It just means that you need to shine in other areas of your application, like the Barnard supplemental essays and the Barnard interview. 

What test scores do I need for Barnard?

With the Barnard acceptance rate at 11%, and the Barnard Early Decision Acceptance rate not much higher, you can expect the Barnard SAT scores to be high. In fact, the middle 50% range of Barnard SAT scores is 1430-1550 , and the middle 50% ACT score range is 31-32. There is no official average Barnard GPA, but because Barnard is on par with Ivy League schools, it’s safe to assume you should strive for a 4.0. 

Getting ahead with standardized test prep is the best way to make sure you meet the average Barnard SAT scores. However, there are ways to make your application stand out without hitting those academic marks, like the Barnard interview. Check out this article that will help you create a strategy for how to get into Barnard with below-average Barnard SAT scores. 

Barnard admissions has extended their temporary test-optional policy to Fall/Spring 2022 and 2023. Applicants are free to omit standardized test scores from their application. Students will be at no disadvantage in the admissions process by doing so. However, if your scores meet the average Barnard SAT scores, send them in!  

If your test scores are lower, focus on other parts of the application, like meeting the assumed Barnard GPA or writing strong Barnard supplemental essays.

What does the Barnard application look like?

When strategizing how to get into Barnard, start with knowing the application process and the Barnard admissions deadlines. It may seem obvious but it’s easy to get caught up in your rigorous academic courses when trying to meet the assumed average Barnard GPA. Do yourself a favor and plan out your application process. 

Aiming to contend with the Barnard Early Decision acceptance rate or regular Barnard acceptance rate? Take advantage of the summer before your senior year to create the most compelling application narrative possible and build a strong “how to get into Barnard” plan.  

The Barnard Early Decision deadline is November 1 st . You should not make the decision to apply Early Decision without careful consideration. Like all schools, at Barnard College, Early Decision applicants enter a binding agreement to attend the college if they are accepted. Alternatively, the Barnard regular decision deadline is January 4 th . 

Although the Barnard Early Decision acceptance rate is low, the regular Barnard acceptance rate is even lower. So, if you’re sure Barnard is the school for you, consider applying Early Decision to demonstrate your commitment. However, no matter which Barnard admissions deadline you’re submitting for, all applicants must send in the same material. 

Applicants must submit : 

• The Common Application or Coalition Application  
• Personal Statement
• Barnard Supplemental Essays
• Official transcripts
• Secondary school report
• Barnard SAT scores or ACT scores (optional for fall/spring 2022 and 2023 applicants)
• Counselor letter of recommendation
• Two teacher letters of recommendation
• Official TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English test scores for students whose primary language is not English

Applicants have the option to submit supplementary portfolios and additional letters of recommendation. Also, we encourage students to fill out the additional information section on their preferred application platform with anything else they want Barnard admissions to know. Applicants may also request a Barnard interview. These optional application materials are a great way to stay competitive as a candidate if you have below-average Barnard SAT scores or Barnard GPA.  

What extracurriculars do I need for Barnard?

Barnard College states that its purpose is to “amplify women’s power to change the world.” Barnard admissions boasts that their students are “passionate, curious, driven, empathetic, and brilliant.” So, what does all that mean in relation to how to get into Barnard? Well, a good deal actually, especially with regard to the narrative you create through your extracurriculars. 

Extracurriculars are a great opportunity for you to show Barnard admissions who you are and what you’re passionate about. The Barnard Early Decision acceptance rate is low, and the regular Barnard acceptance rate is even lower. So, extracurriculars are vital in making sure you succeed in your “how to get into Barnard” strategy.

Identify your passions and choose activities related to them. It’s as simple as that. Avoid doing activities for the sole purpose of impressing Barnard admissions. The only wrong extracurriculars are the ones that you’re only doing because you think they will look good on your college applications. That is not how to get into Barnard. Instead, use the opportunity to grow and get involved in your community. 

Remember to start planning your extracurriculars early, just as you should with Barnard SAT scores and Barnard supplemental essays. Don’t wait until junior year to join every club at your school. Start getting active in extracurriculars long before the Barnard application deadlines. 

What is the Early Decision acceptance rate at Barnard College?

Students who apply for Early Decision at Barnard are entering a binding agreement stating that if accepted, they will attend the college. Although you may see the higher Barnard Early Decision acceptance rate and think applying early is your best choice, it is not a decision to be taken lightly. If you’re on the fence, read more about the differences between Early Decision and regular decision to help you decide.

The Barnard Early Decision acceptance rate is 26% and the overall Barnard acceptance rate is 11%. While considering applying early decision should be taken seriously, it’s a good opportunity to stand out in a smaller pool of candidates and show Barnard admissions that Barnard is your top choice. Over 50% of the Barnard first-year class is accepted through Early Decision.

The Early Decision application deadline is November 4 th , so if you want to contend with the Barnard Early Decision acceptance rate, make sure to get an early start on the application!

Do Barnard College applicants get interviews?

Barnard College offers an optional Barnard interview to their applicants. If applicants decide not to request a Barnard interview, it will in no way put their application at a disadvantage. However, if you request a Barnard interview and are granted one, it will be considered in the application process. 

Interviews are granted on a first-come, first-served basis. They’re conducted from June-December. For example, a fall 2023 applicant could have their Barnard interview as early as summer 2022. Currently, all interviews are being conducted virtually.

Acing the Barnard interview should be included in your “how to get into Barnard strategy”. Barnard admissions describes the Barnard interview as a 20-30-minute conversation with a Barnard community member. The interviewer will inquire about your interests and thoughts about Barnard. Your Barnard interview is a great opportunity to demonstrate your personality, passions, skills, and why you would be a great fit for Barnard. What makes you the perfect candidate? It’s also a great way for interviewees to learn more about their potential four-year home. 

If you request and are granted a Barnard interview, make sure to prepare thoroughly. Check out this virtual information session to learn more about life at Barnard. Be sure to also read this blog post with tips for the Barnard interview from a Barnard admissions interviewer. 

How do I write my essays for Barnard?

The Barnard supplemental essays are a requirement for applicants hoping to contend with either the Barnard acceptance rate or the Barnard Early Decision acceptance rate. In addition to the Common Application or Coalition Application personal essay, applicants must respond to specific Barnard supplemental essays. These essay questions vary yearly, but generally, Barnard admissions requires two Barnard supplemental essays with the option of writing on additional essay. Be sure to answer all three!

The Barnard supplemental essays are absolutely vital to your application narrative. You should think through, plan, edit, and revise your Barnard supplemental essays several times. These aren’t essays that you pull an all-nighter before the deadline to complete. Think of the Barnard supplemental essays as critical works of art meant to enhance your application. Like a Barnard interview, the Barnard supplemental essays are a great opportunity to show Barnard admissions your personality and what you would bring to the Barnard community. 

The Barnard supplemental essays can change yearly. Currently, there is a 300 word maximum for each. You’ll want to answer the Barnard supplemental essays concisely and clearly in a way that shows Barnard admissions you are a great fit for the college.

To sum up, the Barnard supplemental essays are a wonderful way to advance your application, especially if you have less than the ideal Barnard GPA and Barnard SAT scores. Be sure to answer the questions with thoughtful, unique responses and impeccable grammar.

How does Barnard College review applications?

The answer to how to get into Barnard starts and ends with a compelling application narrative. To organize the most competitive application, make sure you know what Barnard College values and how they’ll be evaluating your application.

Barnard College has an application review philosophy that is “contextual and holistic.” That means they will carefully consider each part of your application to figure out if your academic achievement, interests, and community involvement align with Barnard’s values. This holistic method is part of the reason there are no Barnard GPA requirements. Barnard admissions officers want to get to know you for you.

With the Barnard acceptance rate at 11%, admission to this liberal arts college is extremely selective. However, with the holistic application review approach, students with less than the ideal assumed Barnard GPA or Barnard SAT scores shouldn’t panic quite yet.

Tips for an ideal application: 

Show academic achievement

Barnard College is selective and looking for students who excel academically. In other words, you should take rigorous high school courses in varying subjects. Take AP courses in your strong subject areas to meet the assumed Barnard GPA standards. 

Write meaningful essays

Carefully and thoughtfully answer your Barnard supplemental essays. Make sure to use the personal essay in the application platform of your choice to show who you are and what’s important to you. Refrain from just listing academic courses and extracurriculars. Try to show something that Barnard admission won’t see anywhere else in your application. 

Love Barnard

The best way to get into the school of your choice is to show the value you would bring to that community. Barnard College looks for intelligent, curious critical thinkers who are active in the community. Show them that’s you!

Does Barnard review social media accounts?

The short answer is no. Barnard admissions says nothing on their site about checking students’ social media accounts during the application process. However, you should keep in mind that college admissions officers and future employers may see anything you decide to post on social media. 

Why add another stressor to the college application process? Instead, be mindful of what you’re posting on your social media accounts. If you’re not sure that what you’re posting is appropriate, check out these general guidelines for social media posting. Don’t let a distasteful post jeopardize all of your “how to get into Barnard” hard work. 

Is Barnard College the right school for me?

It’s easy to obsess over how to get into Barnard: working tirelessly on hitting the assumed average Barnard GPA and Barnard SAT scores, debating if you want to beat the Barnard Early Decision acceptance rate, scheduling and prepping for your Barnard interview, and writing and rewriting your Barnard supplemental essays. You’ve asked yourself if Barnard will want you, but is Barnard your dream school ? It may seem like an obvious question, but it’s important to consider if Barnard is right for you. 

Barnard College is a women’s college and an affiliate of Columbia University, located in the heart of New York City. In addition, they boast a holistic education , one which “looks at mind-body connection and how health and wellness are directly linked to success.” Barnard looks for high-achieving, intellectually driven, critical thinkers who will become active members of their community.

You should keep researching how to get into Barnard, if…

Academics excite you.

You’re always challenging yourself to improve, learn, and excel academically. You take challenging courses and you love learning about your favorite subjects even outside of designated school hours. 

NYC calls to you

Life in the big city does not intimidate you. If you’re a little nervous, it’s the good kind. You’re excited to become not only a member of Barnard College but also to become a part of the Big Apple . 

Women empowerment is one of your core values

You’re excited to be a part of the rich history of influential women who have graduated from Barnard College. You’re already thinking about how you can personally contribute to the Barnard community. 

When considering if Barnard College is right for you, be sure to take a campus tour. If you can’t get there in person, try their virtual tour option. You can also check out the Barnard blog to get a feel for what life at Barnard is really like. These steps are an important part of your “how to get into Barnard” research.

Additional tips to get into Barnard:

Figuring out how to get into Barnard or an Ivy League school, is an intimidating undertaking. With the Barnard acceptance rate at 11%, there are certainly no guarantees when it comes to cracking the “how to get into Barnard” code. However, there are things that you can do to best set yourself up for success. 

Extra tips on how to get into Barnard: 

Start early

Don’t wait until a month before the application deadline to think about your application narrative strategy. Instead, begin preparing before your senior year. Academic, extracurricular, and standardized test prep should start long before that. 

Be a community-minded critical thinker

Barnard admissions is looking for academic achievement and community involvement. Get out there and stimulate your mind while giving back to your area. Don’t feign passion, though. You should choose to participate in things you really care about!

Do some stellar writing

Lastly, take advantage of the personal essay on the Common App or Coalition App. Use it as an opportunity to show Barnard College who you are and why you’re a great fit. Make sure to carefully craft your Barnard supplemental essays as well. They’re short, so you should make the most of the words you use. 

Follow these tips and you’ll be sure to ace your “how to get into Barnard” plan. If you need somewhere to start your Barnard admissions journey, check out our Barnard College page for Barnard’s overall grade, tuition cost, and more. Good luck!

This guide was written by Sarah Kaminski. If you want to know how to get into Barnard, we’ve got you covered. CollegeAdvisor.com’s network of 300+ Admissions Experts (and former Admissions Officers) includes Barnard graduates. Create your free account or schedule a free advising consultation by calling (844) 343-6272.

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Supplemental Essay Guide 2023-24

What do the 2023-24 supplemental essay prompts really mean, and how should you approach them? CEA's experts are here to break them all down.

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Agnes Scott College 2023-24 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

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First refuelling for Russia’s Akademik Lomonosov floating NPP

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The FNPP includes two KLT-40S reactor units. In such reactors, nuclear fuel is not replaced in the same way as in standard NPPs – partial replacement of fuel once every 12-18 months. Instead, once every few years the entire reactor core is replaced with and a full load of fresh fuel.

The KLT-40S reactor cores have a number of advantages compared with standard NPPs. For the first time, a cassette core was used, which made it possible to increase the fuel cycle to 3-3.5 years before refuelling, and also reduce by one and a half times the fuel component in the cost of the electricity produced. The operating experience of the FNPP provided the basis for the design of the new series of nuclear icebreaker reactors (series 22220). Currently, three such icebreakers have been launched.

The Akademik Lomonosov was connected to the power grid in December 2019, and put into commercial operation in May 2020.

Electricity generation from the FNPP at the end of 2023 amounted to 194 GWh. The population of Pevek is just over 4,000 people. However, the plant can potentially provide electricity to a city with a population of up to 100,000. The FNPP solved two problems. Firstly, it replaced the retiring capacities of the Bilibino Nuclear Power Plant, which has been operating since 1974, as well as the Chaunskaya Thermal Power Plant, which is more than 70 years old. It also supplies power to the main mining enterprises located in western Chukotka. In September, a 490 km 110 kilovolt power transmission line was put into operation connecting Pevek and Bilibino.

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How to Get Into Barnard: Admissions Stats + Tips

What’s covered:, how hard is it to get into barnard, average academic profile of accepted barnard students, what is barnard looking for, how to improve your chances of getting into barnard, how to apply to barnard.

Barnard College, an esteemed member of the historic Seven Sisters , is known for its rigorous academic environment and highly selective admissions process. Crafting an application that resonates with Barnard’s distinctive ethos and academic rigor is crucial for aspiring students. This guide is tailored to help you navigate the intricacies of the application procedure, ensuring that you highlight your strengths and potential to contribute to this vibrant intellectual community.

For the 2022–23 admissions cycle, Barnard received 12,009 applicants, of which 1,056 were accepted. This means that last year, Barnard’s acceptance rate was 8.79%, making it a highly selective school.

While Barnard’s admissions rates are very low, they don’t necessarily reflect your personal chances of admission. Our free chancing calculator can help you better understand your chances of acceptance into over 1,500 colleges across the country. By taking into account multiple elements of your profile, including your grades, test scores, extracurriculars, and more, we’ll estimate your odds of acceptance, and even give you tips on improving your profile!

Of the 31.3% of last year’s first-year Barnard students who submitted their class rank, 94.6% graduated in the top 10% of their high school class, and 99.5% graduated in the top 25%.

While standardized test scores are usually required for applicants, Barnard has been test-optional for a couple of years, beginning with students who entered in Fall 2021. Of the students who enrolled in Fall 2020,  the top 25% of students scored above 1500 on the SAT, with 65% scoring above 1400. The top 25% of those who submitted ACT scores scored above 34, with 88% scoring above 30.

While Barnard doesn’t offer information on its students’ high school GPAs, given that 90% of admitted students graduated in the top 10% of their class, you should aim for mostly A’s to be a competitive candidate.

At its founding, Barnard’s mission was to empower smart and ambitious women by providing them with the rigorous and timely education that was only offered to men at the time. Though we no longer live in the same social context today, Barnard still seeks women who are bold, socially engaged, forward-looking, and impact-seeking. Barnard wants to see even at the high school level that you are taking risks, whether academic or extracurricular, and that you can excel at what you set your mind to.

How Barnard Evaluates Applications

According to Barnard’s 2022–23 Common Data Set , they consider the following factors “very important”:

• Course rigor
• Academic GPA
• Application essay
• Recommendations
• Character/personal qualities

These factors are “important”:

• Extracurricular activities
• Talent/ability
• Volunteer work
• Work experience

These are “considered”:

• Standardized test scores
• First generation
• Alumni relation
• Geographical residence
• Racial/ethnic status
• Level of applicant’s interest

And these are “not considered”:

• State residency
• Religious affiliation/commitment

Barnard is seeking individuals who not only achieve intellectually, but also provide a strong and well-rounded character for their campus community. This is seen in the focus placed on course rigor, academic GPA, application essays, references, and character/personal traits.

The main emphasis for applicants should be on demonstrating their intellectual curiosity through a demanding high school curriculum and their capacity to express their ideas, experiences, and goals in essays.

While important, extracurricular activities, class rank, talent/ability, volunteer work, and job experience should be considered almost supplementary to your application, rather than its defining characteristics. These need to provide an image of a dedicated and enthusiastic person who is active in and has an influence on their community.

That said, even if they are only taken into consideration, results from standardized tests and interviews have the power to swing a tight choice, so be ready for them. It may make a big difference to show that you truly are interested in Barnard via attentive application writing and interview responses.

Given the new modifications to the way that race is evaluated in college applications , students have to handle this facet of their identity with caution. If your racial or ethnic heritage is a significant aspect of your personal identity, you should feel welcome to incorporate that story within your essays and interview responses. In the context of these personal remarks, you have the chance to highlight facets of your individuality that numbers and checkboxes are simply unable to depict.

1. Aim for all A’s while taking the most challenging classes available

Like most colleges, Barnard doesn’t have a “cut-off” GPA, nor does it offer GPA information about accepted students. However, accepted students across the board have strong academics. Since 94.6% of enrolled first-year students last year graduated in the top 10% of their respective high school classes, a competitive candidate for Barnard will need to have A’s in almost every class. Additionally, Barnard wants to see that students challenge themselves, so you should try to take advanced honors, AP, or IB classes.

If your GPA is on the lower side and you’re still a freshman or sophomore in high school, check out our tips for increasing your GPA . If you’re a high school junior or senior, it will be harder to increase your GPA, so the easiest way to increase your Academic Index is to get a higher score on a standardized test, either the SAT or the ACT.

2. Write engaging essays and supplement responses

In addition to the main Common Application/Coalition Application/Questbridge Application essays, Barnard will require you to respond to questions in the Barnard Writing Supplement , which includes two required questions and one optional question. These questions are to help the admissions committee understand how you could contribute to the Barnard community academically and personally.

Barnard’s emphasis on a student’s written articulation can be seen through not only the writing supplements, but also the school’s mandatory first-year writing seminar. Think of the essays as your primary opportunity to show your strengths, your character, your authentic voice, and the things you’re passionate about.

For tips on how to approach the supplemental essays, take a look at our guide to this year’s Barnard essays .

Your essays are the most important part of your Barnard application process as they let you show how you would blend in and add to the vibrant campus community. Barnard’s Writing Supplement goes beyond the Common Application, Coalition Application, or Questbridge Application primary essays. It consists of two mandatory and one optional question that is designed to assess your potential academic and personal influence on campus.

When it’s time to review your Barnard essays, gaining a fresh perspective is invaluable. Utilize our free Peer Essay Review tool for feedback from fellow applicants. If you’re eager to elevate your essay further, consider CollegeVine’s expert advisors . Our team has a track record of guiding students through successful applications to top-tier institutions like Barnard.

3. Cultivate at least one or two Tier 1-2 extracurriculars (find your “ spike ”)

Barnard seeks students who want to make their mark on the world. While that may sound like a tall order, this “mark” doesn’t necessarily mean on a global scale. It can be local, or even personal. Barnard wants students who are curious and exploratory, and who can bring their independent thinking into the world.

Barnard cultivates the transformation of knowledge into action by helping students engage in real-life experiences that inform the experiences in the classroom. The school wants to see that its prospective students have engaged with non-academic passions, whether that be through service work, debate clubs, music competition awards, or something else entirely.

In general, any activity that you do regularly outside the classroom counts as an extracurricular, as long as you can demonstrate that the activity has contributed to your growth as an individual and that you’ve applied any set of skills to your activity. However, not all extracurriculars are created equal. Extracurricular activities can generally be divided into four “tiers.” To increase your chances at Barnard, you should have one to two “Tier 1” or “Tier 2” extracurriculars.

• Tier 1 activities demonstrate exceptional talent, achievement, leadership, or merit. Activities and roles on the national level or those that garner field-wide recognition count as Tier 1 activities. This may include winning a national award, qualifying for international competition and therefore gaining prestigious recognition, or starting a nonprofit that gains national traction. Having a Tier 1 activity marks you as a distinguished youth in the field of your activity, so having Tier 1 activities is quite rare.
• Tier 2 activities are more common than Tier 1 but still show high levels of achievement and potential. Holding school-wide leadership positions like student government president, winning regional competitions or awards, and local recognition as a student-athlete or musician are all considered Tier 2 achievements.
• Tier 3 activities demonstrate sustained participation rather than exceptional achievement, and are rather frequently seen in applications, both across the board as well as in any given individual student’s application (as some students may have more than one Tier 3 activity). These activities can include holding minor positions in school clubs or being on a Varsity team.
• Tier 4 activities are the most common and have the lowest entry bar; they demonstrate interest without particular dedication. However, they are still important to include, especially if you have higher-tier activities, because they can help show the diversity of your interests. Tier 4 activities can include things like regular volunteering, general membership in clubs or organizations, or taking any kind of music or art lesson over several years.

4. Ask the right teachers for recommendation letters

Barnard requires two letters of recommendation from teachers of an academic core subject (English, Math, Science, Social Studies, or Foreign Language). You also have the option to submit up to two additional letters of recommendation, preferably from instructors or mentors outside of a classroom environment. When selecting recommenders, consider Barnard’s core values and choose teachers who can authentically highlight qualities in you that resonate with those values.

Extra letters should only serve to reveal new facets of your profile that aren’t apparent from your existing application materials. A strategic approach to your letters of recommendation is key to ensuring they provide the greatest impact on your application. For further advice, including how to ask for a recommendation, check out the tips from CollegeVine to navigate this part of Barnard’s applications effectively.

Take some time to think about which teacher will write you the most promising recommendation letter, and take a look at CollegeVine’s list of rules for requesting a letter of recommendation to help guide you through this process.

5. Apply Early Decision

Since Barnard’s early decision acceptance rate in 2021 was 25.6%, while the regular decision acceptance rate was 13.6%, students who apply under early decision have considerably higher statistical chances of acceptance , even after accounting for profile strength. If you have your heart set on Barnard—since the early decision is binding—applying ED can be a great way to show your commitment.

However, there are some drawbacks to keep in mind about applying early, including less time to refine your application, fewer financial aid package options, and the obvious inability to try your hand at other colleges if you do get in.

Planning on applying to Barnard? Here are some dates to keep in mind for the 2022–23 application cycle.

Application Requirements

Barnard accepts applications through the Common Application, Coalition Application, and QuestBridge National College Match application. There is no preferred application. To apply, you will need the following materials:

• All parts of your Common, Coalition, or QuestBridge application, including personal essay, extracurricular activities list, and application fee (there is an option to request a fee waiver)
• Official high school transcript
• School Profile and report
• Responses to the Barnard Writing Supplement
• SAT or ACT (optional for Fall 2022–23 enrollment)
• High school counselor letter of recommendation
• Mid-year report (first-semester senior grades by March 1)
• Two letters of recommendation from teachers of ​​English, Math, Science, Social Studies, or Foreign Language, preferably from junior or senior years

Optional materials include:

• Arts or athletic supplementary portfolios
• Up to two additional letters of recommendation (preferably from non-classroom teachers; e.g., club advisors or part-time job supervisors)

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

Victor Mukhin

• Scientific Program

Title : Active carbons as nanoporous materials for solving of environmental problems

However, up to now, the main carriers of catalytic additives have been mineral sorbents: silica gels, alumogels. This is obviously due to the fact that they consist of pure homogeneous components SiO2 and Al2O3, respectively. It is generally known that impurities, especially the ash elements, are catalytic poisons that reduce the effectiveness of the catalyst. Therefore, carbon sorbents with 5-15% by weight of ash elements in their composition are not used in the above mentioned technologies. However, in such an important field as a gas-mask technique, carbon sorbents (active carbons) are carriers of catalytic additives, providing effective protection of a person against any types of potent poisonous substances (PPS). In ESPE “JSC "Neorganika" there has been developed the technology of unique ashless spherical carbon carrier-catalysts by the method of liquid forming of furfural copolymers with subsequent gas-vapor activation, brand PAC. Active carbons PAC have 100% qualitative characteristics of the three main properties of carbon sorbents: strength - 100%, the proportion of sorbing pores in the pore space – 100%, purity - 100% (ash content is close to zero). A particularly outstanding feature of active PAC carbons is their uniquely high mechanical compressive strength of 740 ± 40 MPa, which is 3-7 times larger than that of  such materials as granite, quartzite, electric coal, and is comparable to the value for cast iron - 400-1000 MPa. This allows the PAC to operate under severe conditions in moving and fluidized beds.  Obviously, it is time to actively develop catalysts based on PAC sorbents for oil refining, petrochemicals, gas processing and various technologies of organic synthesis.

Victor M. Mukhin was born in 1946 in the town of Orsk, Russia. In 1970 he graduated the Technological Institute in Leningrad. Victor M. Mukhin was directed to work to the scientific-industrial organization "Neorganika" (Elektrostal, Moscow region) where he is working during 47 years, at present as the head of the laboratory of carbon sorbents.     Victor M. Mukhin defended a Ph. D. thesis and a doctoral thesis at the Mendeleev University of Chemical Technology of Russia (in 1979 and 1997 accordingly). Professor of Mendeleev University of Chemical Technology of Russia. Scientific interests: production, investigation and application of active carbons, technological and ecological carbon-adsorptive processes, environmental protection, production of ecologically clean food.   

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