Barnard's application process is contextual and holistic. Most competitive applicants have taken four years of each of the five core subject areas: English, math, science, foreign language, and social science.  Barnard offers a binding Early Decision plan, intended for students who passionately believe that Barnard is their first choice college, and regular decision.

Transfers find Barnard to be a welcoming and supportive community and are drawn to the flexible general education requirements, personal academic and career advising, access to New York City, and benefit from the many advantages of the partnership with Columbia University. A student who has completed 24-60 transferable credits following high school is considered a transfer applicant. Students with fewer than 24 credits must apply as a first-year student. We do not admit second-semester first-year students. A maximum of 60 points can be transferred into Barnard.