In response to the challenges that students are facing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Barnard will adopt a one-year SAT and ACT test-optional admission policy for students applying for admission in fall 2021. This decision was made in consultation with President Sian Leah Beilock and the College’s Board of Trustees and is not intended as a permanent admissions policy shift but rather as a temporary measure driven by the current circumstances.

“We hope that this decision will relieve some of the pressure and worries that our prospective applicants are experiencing during these difficult times,” said Jennifer Fondiller, vice president for enrollment. “Now, as ever, we seek students who are intellectually motivated, community-minded, and excited for academic exploration within the liberal arts. Standardized testing is only one factor that we consider, and we are confident that this temporary adjustment will benefit students without compromising the rigor of our admissions process.”

Students may apply to Barnard’s Class of 2025 without submitting standardized test scores from the SAT or ACT exam, and no other materials will be requested in lieu of test scores. Applicants may still submit self-reported SAT or ACT scores for consideration if they are able to do so. Barnard reviews all applications holistically, in the context of students’ schools, communities, and individual stories. Read about the exceptional students who were recently admitted to the Class of 2024 here.