Barnard Writing Supplement Questions

In addition to the personal essay which you will submit through the Common Application, Coalition Application, or QuestBridge, Barnard asks first-year applicants to respond to institution-specific Writing Supplement questions. We recommend spending time to thoughtfully consider these questions and your responses. Your answers to these questions, in conjunction with the rest of your application, will help the Admissions Committee understand how you may contribute to our community both academically and personally.

Below are the Barnard Writing Supplement questions for first-year students applying for Fall 2023 admission. Please note that the questions may change from year to year.

• Required: What factors encouraged your decision to apply to Barnard College and why do you think the college would be a good match for you? (300 words max)


• Required: At Barnard, academic inquiry starts with bold questions. What are some of the bold questions you have pondered that get you excited and why do they interest you? Tell us how you would explore these questions at Barnard. (300 words max)


• Optional: Pick one woman — a historical figure, fictitious character, or modern individual — to converse with for an hour and explain your choice. Why does this person intrigue you? What would you talk about? What questions would you ask them? (300 words max)