NEW YORK, Mar. 25, 2019 – Barnard College surpassed its own record this year with 9,319 applicants, a 64% increase over the last five years. Of those applicants, 1,051 young women from around the world were accepted to the class of 2023, making it the most selective class ever admitted to the 130-year-old college. Hailing from 49 states, as well as Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and from 51 countries, 13% of admitted students identify as first-generation college students, and 56% of admitted students identify as women of color – a 4% increase over last year – making this Barnard’s most diverse admitted class in its history. Eleven percent have a family member who is a Barnard alumna.
“We are thrilled to welcome these dynamic young women to our college,” said Barnard’s Vice President for Enrollment Jennifer Fondiller. “These incredible students are emblematic of the Barnard spirit – curious, passionate and determined to make an impact on the world. Students are consistently drawn to Barnard for its leadership initiatives, world-class faculty, and unique opportunities. Living in New York City opens the door for our students to a wealth of research and internships, which provides a deeper connection to their fields of study.”
President Sian Leah Beilock is committed to continuously building upon Barnard’s well-known eminence in the arts, social sciences, and humanities, as well as growing the College’s offerings in STEM. In addition to joining a diverse intellectual community at one of the most prestigious liberal arts colleges for women, students who choose to enroll this fall may also earn a Bachelor’s degree from Barnard and a Master’s degree from Columbia University in just five years through the College’s “4+1” pathways for accelerated graduate study.
Newly admitted students will also have access to Beyond Barnard, a program launched last year by President Beilock, that promises to help students and alumnae achieve academic and professional success, before and after graduation. Beyond Barnard offers lifelong career services and supports research, internships, field placements, and more. Students can also take advantage of The Milstein Center for Teaching and Learning, which launched in fall 2018 and offers research experiences in computational science, empirical reasoning, digital humanities, design, movement, and media. Student-athletes have the opportunity to compete at the only women’s college to offer NCAA Division I athletics through the Columbia/Barnard Athletic Consortium.
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About Barnard
Barnard provides a singular educational experience, as a world-renowned college focused on excellence across the arts and sciences, with all the academic resources of Columbia University and the City of New York as an extended classroom. Founded in 1889, Barnard was one of the few colleges in the nation where women could receive the same rigorous and challenging education available to men. Today, Barnard is one of the most selective academic institutions in the country and remains devoted to empowering extraordinary women to become even more exceptional. For more information on Barnard College, contact Barnard Media Relations at 212-854-2037 or mediarelations@barnard.edu. To learn more, follow Barnard on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.