QuestBridge
Barnard College is excited to announce that we are officially a QuestBridge Partner School. QuestBridge is a non-profit organization which identifies high-achieving, low-income students, assists them with the college search and application process, and works to connect them to educational opportunities at a range of partner colleges and universities. All QuestBridge Finalists, regardless of participating in the National College Match, can use their QuestBridge Application in the Early and Regular Decision programs at Barnard College. We look forward to meeting our future scholars!
National College Match Requirements
QuestBridge Application
If you are participating in the National College Match, Barnard will review all materials associated with your QuestBridge Application.
Students should submit their application to Barnard under Regular Decision if they wish to be considered for the National College Match. Please select "Regular Decision" under Entry Term when filling out your application. If you are matched with Barnard through QuestBridge, your application status will automatically switch and be considered in the Early Decision process. Please note that if a student is selected as a College Match with Barnard, the admission contract is binding and they will be expected to attend Barnard the following fall. In addition, students must withdraw all other admissions applications.
QuestBridge students are able to apply outside of the match with their QuestBridge application.
Please do not submit a Common Application.
Barnard QuestBridge Questionnaire
After Barnard has received your QuestBridge Application, Barnard will send you information about completing the Barnard QuestBridge Questionnaire. The Questionnaire will ask you about your academic interests, as well as some Barnard-specific questions.
Official Transcripts
Barnard requires an official high school transcript from all high schools attended. All transcripts submitted by a school official will be considered official transcripts. If the transcript submitted as part of your QuestBridge Application was not submitted by a school official, please have a school official submit a transcript. Transcripts submitted by a student are not considered official.
Standardized Tests
We are temporarily enacting a test-optional policy through 2027.
In lieu of submitting official scores, applicants may self-report their scores. Please note: If applicable, official scores for English proficiency exams are still required.
Students who are unable or choose not to submit test scores will not be disadvantaged in any way. Barnard has always practiced a holistic and contextual evaluation process and this will be no different for the upcoming application cycle.
Scores sent as part of the QuestBridge Application will be considered. Students do not need to submit scores separately or in addition to the QuestBridge Application, unless you wish to submit new or updated test scores.
For Finalists participating in the National College Match, we can accept testing no later than the October test dates for the SAT or ACT in order to be considered for the College Match at Barnard.
Please note that our office will verify scores for all enrolling students, and any discrepancies between official and self-reported scores may jeopardize a student's place in the class. If scores are submitted by a school official, there is no need for an official score report at any time.
Financial Aid Information
Please review our Financial Aid webpage for more information on our process and required materials. Detailed information about financial aid for the National College Match is also available on the QuestBridge website.
The financial aid deadline for students participating in the National College Match is November 1.
Options Outside of the Match
QuestBridge Finalists who choose not to participate in the National College Match at any point will need to submit a Common Application. QuestBr
Early Decision
Finalists who participated in and ranked Barnard College for the National College Match, submitted all required application materials, AND did not match at any partner schools may request to be considered as an Early Decision applicant to Barnard. Only Finalists with a completed application to Barnard will be eligible to make this request; eligible Finalists will receive additional information following match notification.
Finalists who did not participate in the National College Match but would like to be evaluated for Early Decision should notify us of their intent to apply to Barnard's binding Early Decision plan by emailing us at questbridge@barnard.edu.
Interested applicants should carefully review Barnard’s Early Decision plan, as there is a binding agreement to attend if admitted.
Regular Decision
All Finalists who rank Barnard for the College Match, but did not match to a binding college will automatically have their applications moved into the Regular Decision process. You will not be able to start or make changes to an application that has already been submitted.
Finalists who did not participate in the College Match or did not list Barnard on their Match list but are interested in applying Regular Decision should follow the instructions listed on QuestBridge's website for Regular Decision.
If you do not wish to be considered as a Regular Decision applicant, please email the Admissions office at admissions@barnard.edu to request that your application be withdrawn.
Contact
Please don't hesitate to email questbridge@barnard.edu with your questions. We look forward to hearing from you!