Hi! I was wondering if you know what Barnard looks for an applicant. Some schools specifically say what they mean by fit and what kind of students they want. Does Barnard have that/or as a current student do you see that amongst your friends? I would love to know! Thanks 
ā¦have you read their website? looked at the admissions blog? (http://www.boldbeautifulbarnard.com/) start thereā¦
yes i haveā¦ that is why i asked.
Source: https://barnard.edu/admissions/faqfirstyear
This may sound generic- but it is actually true about Barnard, and has been true for at least the last century: per my mother and grandmother (both Seven Sisters alums), the most frequent stereotype of Barnard student in their generations was smart / city cool / going places. Per the 1 current and 2 recent students that I know, it still fits.
Barnard is the youngest of the Seven, and has always had the most diverse (in every dimension, from socio-economic to religious to ethnicity) student body. If you are looking for boxes to tick, thatās really not how they work. If you are trying to see if you would fit there- ime it is not a tight āfitā school (v., say, Vassar which ime either really suits your- or really doesnāt!): lots of different kinds of students fit in. Imo, it wouldnāt suit somebody who wouldnāt be happy in an urban environment (obviously!), or somebody who would be happiest in an homogenous environment, and it would suit somebody with strong academic/intellectual interests- or just a whole lot of curiosity about the world and how it works!
My daughter was accepted to Barnard this year. My daughter graduated at the top of her class BUT what I think got her into Barnard was her passions and pursuits. I would say be clear about what you are passionate about and why that is a good fit for Barnard. The only reason she isnāt going to Barnard is she has a full ride at another university which she couldnāt turn down.
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I know many many Barnard students, and those accepted by Barnard as well as Barnard young alums. All are bright women who had great grades, high test scores, an app that made them great candidates for most all colleges. Most all of them, if not all, applied to a number of highly selective schools. For most, Barnard was the not the very first choice. These women had shots at HPYSMC and took them, and when the acceptances came in, Barnard was what they felt was their best choice. All but a handful of the ones I know are and were full pay, and most from the NYC area. Most also Applied to Columbia College and those I know who were accepted to both, went to Columbia college over Barnard, and over a lot of other choices
All of the Women I personally know who went to Barnard loved the experience. They felt there was no difference in the education received there from Columbia College, that academically there is no real distinction between Barnard and Columbia once in the school
In short, top student is what Barnard seeks. Geographic and ethnic diversity is a big deal, Iām told, and also showing a good knowledge of the college and how it works, and great interest. Though I do not know anyone who applied ED to Barnard, Iām told that has a big impact on favorable outcome. Barnard likes the show of love through commitment.
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Be bold, unafraid. Know why you want Barnard and show it.
Agree with a lot that has been said. Think the teacher recommendations matter a lot as well. Choose some who knows you and your passions and who can describe you as a person. Good luck!
I also agree that if you go to Barnard then own itā¦be all about Barnard! Donāt be one of those Barnard students who longingly gazes across Broadway at Columbia like some dreamer in New Jersey looking across the Hudson River at the lights of Manhattan.
I took my daughter on a tour of Barnard last year. One of the guides told us all about the things Barnard has to offer. She was positive and upbeat and made the school seem worthy and interesting in its own right. The other guide spent more time telling us all about Barnardās āaffiliationā with Columbia. Her constant references to Columbia sounded almost resentful and full of self-pity.
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