The Barnard College Experience

Pre-College Program for Young Women and Men

At Barnard College, enrich your academic experience and get a head start on college in the world’s greatest city. Barnard offers opportunities to discover New York City in and out of the classroom while taking fascinating classes with our world-renowned faculty, exploring careers and interests from architecture to outer space, making friends from around the world, and getting a head start on college applications through our admissions workshops.

Admission is selective, and is based on strong high school records, recommendations, and a personal statement. Applications from students whose preparation may vary are welcome, especially if they reveal unusual talents and interests that can be developed further in this program. Applicants must have completed the tenth or eleventh grade of high school by June, 2012.

APPLICATION CHECKLIST

A complete application includes:

1. Application form and essay completed by you.
2. One recommendation form completed by a teacher familiar with your work. Must be mailed in a sealed/signed envelope if sent by student.
3. One recommendation form completed by a counselor or principal. Must be mailed in a sealed/signed envelope if sent by student. 
4. An official copy of your high school transcript in English. Must be mailed in a sealed/signed envelope if sent by student.
5. For applicants living in the U.S., a $55 non-refundable application fee payable by credit card, check, or money order made out to Barnard College. For those living outside the U.S., a $75 non-refundable application fee payable by credit card, check, or money order made out to Barnard College.

Departing at 10:30 AM and 2:30 PM Monday through Friday from the Visitor Center in Sulzberger Annex, tours are offered weekdays year round.  They last about one hour and are immediately followed by an information session, led by an admissions counselor, at 11:30 AM. and 3:30 PM in Milbank Hall.  Tours cover academics, extracurricular experiences, community, and residential living. Information sessions, which follow the tour, are designed to complement tours, and focus primarily on admissions and financial aid.

Appointments are not necessary, though we recommend checking our homepage for schedule changes (see announcements posted in the right column). Or, contact the Office of Admissions before planning your visit. Tours will also be offered on select Saturdays and Sundays in the fall and during the month of April.  Though we do not ask families to sign up in advance for our weekday tours, we ask that you use the link above to sign up in advance for the April tours, so that we can adequately plan for your visit.

The RSVP site will be available via the admissions website in the early fall.

Barnard Bound provides a taste of both Barnard College, Columbia University and New York City for students who might otherwise not have had the opportunity to visit. Participants spend the first day touring parts of Manhattan and experiencing its rich diversity of culture, neighborhoods, and of course, food, returning to campus to get a feel for student life, and discovering more about Barnard the next day during our general Open House. Additionally, the program introduces students to important details about our admissions and financial aid processes. Visiting students learn not only about our unique and vibrant community, but also see that Barnard is both affordable and attainable

The RSVP site will be available via the admissions website in the early fall.

To qualify for a fee waiver, simply submit proof of your involvement with The Ventures Scholars Program along with your application for admission to Barnard College.