Commitment to Access
Commitment to Access
When Barnard College opened its doors to young women in 1889, it opened a world of rigorous higher education to a segment of the New York City population that had previously been barred. Over one hundred and thirty years later, Barnard is still rewriting the narrative of inequity by working to remove barriers of access to historically underrepresented groups. 57% of Barnard students identify as students of color, and 16% are the first in their family to attend college. In addition to a plethora of supportive programs, our Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion partners with areas of the College to create strategies to promote equity throughout our beloved community.
Barnard Bound
Barnard Bound provides a taste of Barnard College for promising young women who are current high school seniors, attending school in the United States, and will be part of the first generation in their families to attend a 4-year college and/or come from a low-income background.
Barnard hosts virtual and in-person Barnard Bound programs to engage with prospective students across the country.
What happens at Barnard Bound?
Barnard Bound programming includes panels, presentations, and conversations featuring current students, faculty, and staff — all with the unique lens of what it means to be first-generation/low income at Barnard and in spaces of higher education. Barnard Bound participants will also have access to virtual workshops throughout the fall to continue learning more about Barnard and the application process.
As a Barnard Bound Scholar, you gain valuable insights on a variety of topics including:
- Financial Aid: Navigating financial aid, including sessions open to parents and guardians.
- Mentorship: Hear from our Barnard Student Admissions Representatives who provide their perspectives on college transition and things they've learned at Barnard.
- Campus Resources: Discover the wealth of support available to you on campus, from to Access Barnard to Beyond Barnard.
- Mock Class virtually and opportunities to sit in on a class on campus: Experience a Barnard classroom with a specially curated virtual class taught by one of our professors or sign up to join a class for a session on campus.
- Scholars Community: Meet fellow Barnard Bound Scholars, other prospective applicants, with activities that connect you with your peers and campus leaders.
How do students apply for Barnard Bound?
Applications are now closed for Barnard Bound 2024. Information about 2025 programming will be posted here when available.
Whom do I contact with questions?
If you have any questions about Barnard Bound, please contact Admissions at barnardbound@barnard.edu.
Access & Support Programs
Barnard is dedicated to recognizing academic excellence and leadership in students from all backgrounds. To that end, the College offers a variety of access programs for eligible students who have the spirit, drive, curiosity, and motivation that all Barnard students share.
As an Opportunity Programs (OP) scholar, you’ll be part of a small community that receives extra mentorship throughout all four years and beyond Barnard. Housed within the broader Access Barnard community, you will receive additional advising, support, and programming as you navigate your time with us!
(SP)2 Scholars benefit from an exceptional set of opportunities and resources, including four years of science faculty mentorship, paid summer research opportunities, and a week-long, expenses-paid trip to campus in the summer to meet science faculty and tour research facilities and departments.
Identity and Inclusion Initiatives
We recognize that personal exploration into our intersectional identities allows all students to feel empowered to live unapologetically. Our identity and inclusion programs allow students to come together with their peers, faculty, and staff to explore their identities and to build networks of support and solidarity.
From Heritage Month programs to our Students of Color Leadership Retreat, Barnard students of color are able to explore the richness of their ethnic and cultural backgrounds and histories.
First-Generation/Low-Income Student Initiatives (FLI), an integral part of Access Barnard, provides specialized advising and support to all students who identify with the first-generation and/or low-income college experience. Access Barnard seeks to empower and enrich the experience of FLI students both inside and outside of the classroom as they navigate Barnard.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, and allied communities on campus come together through a variety of programs to celebrate and empower each other.
Social Justice Programs
We all are responsible for building an equitable and inclusive community. Through Barnard’s social justice initiatives, you’ll be empowered to contribute to the conversation, lead, build community, and be an agent for social change.
The Barnard BLUE Series includes a variety of programming aimed at engaging students in intentional dialogues to explore their identities and what it means to foster inclusive communities.
A two-part series open to students, faculty, and staff that builds skills and deepens knowledge around issues of social justice.