At this level of selectivity, academic qualifications alone rarely determine outcomes. Holistic factors and institutional priorities play significant roles.
8.8%
Acceptance Rate
Peer average: 71%
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Most Selective (<10%)
What Are My Chances?
A directional estimate — not a prediction
SAT Total Score Distribution
Enrolled students
Peers
40080012001600
1,470
25th Percentile
1,520
Median
1,560
75th Percentile
Peer average SAT: 1,254(+266 vs peers)
ACT Composite Score Distribution
Enrolled students
1122436
32
25th Percentile
33
Median
34
75th Percentile
Important: Test scores are just one factor. Admissions decisions reflect institutional priorities, essays, recommendations, and factors we cannot measure. Use this as directional guidance, not a prediction.
Who Attends — and Succeeds
Understanding institutional priorities and student support
Student Demographics
First-Generation Students
Parents without bachelor's degree
16%
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Pell Grant Recipients
Lower-income students (federal aid)
16%
Transfer Students
Alternative pathway to enrollment
18%
These metrics reflect institutional priorities around access and economic diversity, which inform admissions decisions beyond academic qualifications.
Student Success
Schools to Consider
Compare Barnard College with similar schools across different dimensions — location, selectivity, outcomes, and affordability.
📍
Nearby Alternatives
3 schools
Strong options in your region with comparable outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions about Barnard College Admissions
While Barnard College does not publish minimum GPA requirements, admitted students at highly selective schools like Barnard College typically have nearly perfect GPAs (3.9+) along with exceptional extracurriculars, essays, and recommendations.
Barnard College reports standardized test score data, suggesting tests are considered in admissions. Students who submit SAT scores typically have scores between 1470 and 1560. ACT scores range from 32 to 34. Check Barnard College's website for current testing requirements, as policies may change.
Admission to Barnard College is considered highly selective. With an acceptance rate of 9%, roughly 1 in 11 applicants receives an offer. This indicates extremely high competition for spots.
Barnard College uses holistic review, considering academics, extracurricular activities, essays, and letters of recommendation.
If Barnard College is a reach, consider Bryn Mawr College (31% acceptance), Iona University (91% acceptance), Drexel University (78% acceptance). These schools offer similar outcomes with higher acceptance rates.
