Barnard College
A women's liberal arts college affiliated with Columbia University, giving students the intimacy of a small college with access to a major research university and the city of New York.
- Next deadline
- Nov 1, 2026Early Decision
- Essays
- 2Prompts
- Supplement
- Required2026-2027 cycle
- Platform
- Common AppAccepted platform
- Selectivity
- 8%Highly selective
- Enrollment
- 3,441Mid-size undergrad
Build your Barnard College application plan
Track the deadline, review every supplemental essay prompt, and shape each response around one clear admissions story.
Application deadlines
Supplemental essay prompts
- Supplement250 words2026-2027
Barnard College students engage in the bold questions that define their generation. Share a bold question that drives your curiosity.
- Why School300 words2026-2027
What factors influenced your decision to apply to Barnard College? Why do you think the College would be a good match for you?
How to approach Barnard College's supplemental essays
Choose a role before you draft
Decide what this essay should add to the application: evidence, range, bridge, or a new window into your life. Avoid repeating the Common App essay in miniature.
Make fit concrete
Name one academic or community reason, then connect it to a scene from your life. The school detail should prove fit, not decorate the paragraph.
Use this as a blank structure for a Barnard College supplement response, then replace every bracket with your own specifics.
- Open on [specific scene, object, problem, or conversation].
- Show what [choice/action/constraint] reveals about how you think.
- Connect that trait to [school program, community, lab, class, or value].
- End with the contribution you want to make at Barnard College, not a compliment.
Need more help with this application?
Use our guides to plan your supplement, sharpen your Why Us research, and review your draft before you submit.
Frequently asked questions
How many supplemental essays does Barnard College require?
Barnard College has 2 supplemental essays listed for the 2026-2027 application cycle, in addition to the shared application essay.
Does Barnard College accept the Common Application?
Yes — Barnard College accepts the Common Application.
What is Barnard College's acceptance rate?
Barnard College's most recently reported acceptance rate is 8.0%.
When is Barnard College's next application deadline?
Barnard College's next listed application deadline is the Early Decision round on November 1, 2026.
What is Barnard College's "Barnard College students engage in the…" prompt (#1, 250 words)?
Barnard College students engage in the bold questions that define their generation. Share a bold question that drives your curiosity.
What is Barnard College's "What factors influenced your decision to…" prompt (#2, 300 words)?
What factors influenced your decision to apply to Barnard College? Why do you think the College would be a good match for you?
Sources and verification
We prioritize Barnard College's official admissions pages for school-specific prompts and deadlines, then use application-platform and federal sources as cross-checks. This record is labeled for the 2026-2027 cycle but still needs a fresh verification pass.
Review official source →