Admissions

International Applicants

We broadly define international students to be the following:

  1. A citizen of a country other than the United States who has been educated abroad;
  2. A U.S. citizen educated abroad;
  3. A Foreign National educated in the U.S.

The Barnard community includes undergraduate students from all over the world who contribute to the diversity and vibrancy of the campus community and are an important part of the College's academic and social life.. As of Fall 2023, international students comprised 14% of the Barnard student population representing 55 countries.

Applications for admission to Barnard College are always read with careful consideration of contextual information that might affect student course selection, i.e. the rigor of the curriculum, a student’s individual life circumstances, and, in the case of international students, especially, global and cultural perspective. The Office of Admissions acknowledges that students who live abroad may have education experiences that differ from their peers who studied in the United States and we recognize this important factor as we review applications. We also value the fact that international applicants, regardless of citizenship, have much to offer from their backgrounds and experiences as global citizens.

*Note: for finanical aid consideration, we are need-blind for U.S. citizens and permanent residents, regardless of where a student lives. We are need-aware for non-U.S. citizens and non-permanent residents.

Application Requirements

Students must request that their high school and/or college send an official transcript or exam results via e-docs or mail. (Certificates or copies of certificates are NOT required and should NOT be submitted)

Students with transcripts or official documents not issued in English need to provide certified English translations along with the official documents. Your school may be able to guide you to third party organizations who regularly provide these translations. Contact us if you have questions.

Students who apply for admission during their last year of secondary school should clearly state the name of the certificate or degree they expect to receive and when they will receive it. Students who have taken external national or board examinations should submit examination results as well as transcripts for each year of secondary-level study.

Students should NOT submit other academic or activity certificates.

Barnard recognizes the challenges that students are facing due to the COVID-19 pandemic and, in response, Barnard will adopt a temporary test-optional policy for the SAT and ACT through the 2023-2024 application cycle. This means that for students who are applying for Fall 2024, you will not be required to submit scores from the SAT or ACT exams. If you have taken the SAT and/or ACT exam and would like for us to review your SAT and/or ACT scores, you may self-report your highest scores via the Common Application, or directly through the Barnard Applicant Portal. We will superscore the SAT and ACT composite scores. Students who are admitted and choose to enroll will be required to submit their official testing records to validate their scores.

Barnard requires students to display English proficiency. Students may be required to submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Duolingo English Test. Applicants are eligible to have the English Language Proficiency Requirement waived if they:

  • Identify English as one of their first languages
  • Have attended a school in which the primary language of instruction is English for the duration of their secondary school career
  • Are enrolled in or have completed the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program or A Level curriculum taught in English
  • Earned one or more of the following subsection scores:
    • 700 or higher on the Evidence Based Reading and Writing section of the redesigned SAT (beginning in March 2016)
    • 29 or higher on the English or Reading sections of the ACT.

If you meet one or more of the criteria above, you have fulfilled Barnard's English Language Proficiency Requirement. After you apply, please email admissions@joe-yan.net to have your English Language Proficiency Requirement waived (if it has not already been waived in your Barnard Applicant Portal).

If you do not meet the criteria above, you will be required to submit TOEFL, IELTS, or DET scores. TOEFL/IELTS/DET scores are valid up to two years from your test date. Barnard will not consider expired TOEFL/IELTS/DET scores. In addition to the English Language Proficiency policy details above, Barnard College will accept official results from the TOEFL iBT Home Edition or the IELTS Indicator while these options remain in place in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and only until ETS and IELTS resume local testing center operations. The most competitive candidates for admission generally receive a score of 7.5 or higher on the IELTS, a TOEFL score of 105 or higher, or a 135 or higher on the Duolingo English Test. Please note that we do not accept the TOEFL Essentials test nor do we consider TOEFL's MyBest score.

Barnard does not consider TOEFL's MyBest score at this time and does not superscore any English Language Proficiency exams. Please submit all scores earned and we will review your individual section scores as well as your highest total score from a single test date. We will update this information if any changes are made to our policy.

Interviews

For international students, we partner with the organizations below to offer comprehensive and convenient interviews that additionally help us assess english language proficiency. For a fee, they will send your interview video/report to all of the colleges on your list. If you are concerned that fees would present a hardship for you and your family, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Alternatively, students can register for an interview with InitialView or Vericant at any time. InitialView and Vericant interviews are not Barnard-specific.

If you have any questions, we are here to help! International applicants may contact Ruby Bhattacharya, Director of Admissions, at international@joe-yan.net.