News

Introducing the Class of 2027!

Barnard College welcomes its new student body

Barnard Magazine

Fall 2023

The start of the fall semester at Barnard is always a time for celebration, as the College excitedly welcomes new, transferring, visiting, and returning students to campus. It was another record-breaking year for the College’s admissions.

For the Class of 2027, Barnard received 11,804 applications and admitted 8% of those applicants, beating out 2022’s record-breaking admissions rate. Of the 944 students admitted this year, 76% chose to enroll. Our newest first-years embody a diversity of backgrounds and interests, representing:

35 countries, such as Argentina, Cambodia, Iran, Nepal, Sweden, and Ukraine
43 states, plus Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico
15% who identify as first-generation college students, and 24 from Barnard’s partnership with Questbridge, which connects the College with high-achieving, low income students from the U.S.
540 who are interested in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), including 10 for the Pathways Bridgewater Scholars Program and 18 for the Science Pathways Scholars Program (SP)2 and Environmental Science Pathways Scholars Program E(SP)2
344 who came through Barnard’s Pre-College Programs
39 athletes who will compete in a range of sports, including archery, gymnastics, and volleyball

“Barnard has a long legacy of welcoming students who are as driven and determined as they are compassionate and inquisitive. The Class of 2027 is no different,” says Leslie Grinage, Dean of the College. “They are artists, activists, budding scientists, and leaders who will no doubt help to make the world better. The College is thrilled to meet and to support our newest members as they grow from first-years to seniors — and beyond.”

“The members of the Class of 2027 have worked so hard to get to this moment. Their passion for learning and engaging intellectually with others came through in their applications, and we admire their commitment to action, social justice, research, and so much more,” says Jennifer G. Fondiller ’88, Vice President for Enrollment and Communications. “We look forward to watching and supporting them during their journey at Barnard and championing all that we know they will accomplish.”

Scholars in Stem More than 200 first-years were in STEM clubs or organizations; some spent time identifying palynomorphs, converting home food waste into fertilizer, and planning the world’s first waste-to-biobutane project with the government of Cameroon.

Champions of Change Passionate about the planet and human rights, students have restored coral reefs in the Indian Ocean, published a children’s book on identity, curated an LGBTQ+ sex education and awareness program for students, and promoted circularity of used clothes.

Passion Pursuers The Class of 2027 are also artistic movers and shakers, including a national competitive figure skater, a production runner on a TV show, a kaleidoscopic artist with a museum exhibition, and a classical pianist who has performed at Carnegie Hall and the White House.

An illustration of a Buddha overlooking medical supplies

Leading the Way Hundreds of incoming students have already flexed their leadership skills; some have done it by rehabilitating a Buddhist temple in Bangkok, creating a student-led club focusing on the healthcare field, establishing an investment company centered on the gender gap and financial literacy, and collecting and donating 62,000 sanitary pads to girls in rural areas.