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Barnard College has admitted the first round of applicants to the Class of 2029, but did not report how many students applied under early decision this year, nor how many were admitted. School officials did, however, share some insights into the makeup of the students admitted. Keep reading to get the latest from Crimson Education COO Arkesh Patel on Barnard’s admissions data and trends as Barnard’s Class of 2029 begins to take shape.
Often ranked among the top 20 Liberal Arts Colleges in the US, Barnard is a private university in New York City serving some 3,000 undergraduate students. Barnard has announced its Early Decision results for the Class of 2029, with Regular Decision results to after March 2025.
While Barnard remains competitive on its own merits, this woman-only campus offers students access to the vast academic offerings of Columbia University, a top Ivy League school. This affiliation along with its New York City location make Barnard highly sought after and consistently hard to get into.
Below is an overview of this year's acceptance statistics and key trends, based on available data.
Early Decision admissions results for the Class of 2029 have not been reported yet. Barnard officials do report, however, that the school typically accepts about 45% of each year’s new class from the ED pool.
Last year, Barnard College received 1,694 Early Decision (ED) applications (for the Class of 2028) and admitted an estimated 620 ED students, for an estimated 24% ED acceptance rate, compared to the 9% overall acceptance rate the same year. Last year’s incoming class size was 719 students, 56% of whom were admitted in the ED round.
For the Class of 2027, Barnard admitted 451 students in the ED round, out of 1,667 ED applicants, for a 27% ED acceptance rate, according to the school’s Common Data Set.
Higher Acceptance Rates: Early Action and Early Decision applicants typically enjoy higher acceptance rates compared to Regular Decision.
Demonstrated Interest: Applying early shows Barnard University your strong interest in joining their academic community.
The Regular Decision results for the Class of 2029 won’t be available until after March 2025. Last year, however, we estimate Barnard’s Regular Decision acceptance rate was highly selective, hovering around 6%.
Estimated Regular Decision Figures from Last Year (Class of 2028):
Barnard’s overall acceptance rate for the Class of 2028 rose slightly to 9%, up from the record low of 8% registered for the Class of 2027.
Class Year | Total Applications | Total Accepted | Overall Rate | RD Rate | ED Rate |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2029 | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
2028 | 11,836 | 1,046 | 9% | 6% | 24% |
2027 | 11,804 | 944 | 8% | 5% | 25% |
2026 | 12,009 | 961 | 8% | 5% | 29% |
2025 | 10,395 | 1,084 | 10% | 8% | 26% |
Some figures are estimates.
This historical data demonstrates Barnard’s consistently competitive admissions process based on the school’s strong reputation, its unique affiliation with Columbia, and continued commitment to holistic admissions and a test-optional admissions policy.
Academic Excellence: Maintain top grades in rigorous coursework.
Strong Essays: Use your essays to showcase your unique voice and story.
Leadership and Extracurriculars: Demonstrate meaningful engagement outside the classroom.
Test Scores: If submitting, aim for scores within or above Barnard’s reported range.
Barnard’s outstanding rankings, its location in New York City and affiliation with Columbia University, and its enduring commitments to academic excellence and diversity make it a highly attractive institution. With a holistic admissions process, Barnard selects students who not only excel academically but also contribute to its dynamic community.
For those admitted early, congratulations on joining Barnard’s prestigious Class of 2029! Regular Decision applicants should continue preparing strong applications and essays to maximize their chances.
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