Barnard College’s admission page lists two required short answer questions for the 2026-27 application season, one limited to 50 words and one of 200 to 250 words. The Early Decision deadline is November 1, and the application, essay, and short answers must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. in the applicant’s local time. Irvine 12th graders applying to this New York liberal arts college have two weeks to finish the short answers.
Who Is Affected by the Barnard Short Answer Questions
Students applying to Barnard College for fall 2027 through the Common App or QuestBridge. The two questions are summarized below (paraphrased; the college’s page has the exact wording):
| Question | Length | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| A bold question | 50 words maximum | Name a bold question on your mind and explain what about it sparks your curiosity |
| A woman whose views differ from yours | 200 to 250 words | Choose a woman (historical, fictional, contemporary, or personally significant) whose views or approach to problem-solving differ from yours but who excels at bringing people together; explain how a lesson from her approach would shape how you show up at Barnard inside and outside the classroom |
The dates for the two rounds are:
| Item | Early Decision | Regular Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Application deadline | November 1 | January 1, 2027 |
| Counselor recommendation and Secondary School Report | November 20 | January 15, 2027 |
| Teacher recommendations | November 20 | January 15, 2027 |
| Self-reported test scores (if submitting) | November 20 | February 28, 2027 |
| First quarter or trimester grades / mid-year grades | November 25 | February 28, 2027 |
| Decision | Mid-December | Late March |
What to Do Now About the Barnard Early Decision Deadline
Write the 50-word answer first. The shorter the limit, the more specific the answer must be; the question itself carries most of the response. The second answer should state clearly where the difference lies and what approach the student learned from it, rather than read as a biography.
Confirm two core-subject teachers. Barnard requires two letters from teachers of English, foreign language, mathematics, science, or social studies, preferably from the last two years of high school, and accepts letters from 10th-grade teachers. If the counselor cannot write a recommendation, Barnard encourages an additional teacher letter. Applicants may also submit up to two optional letters from other sources.
Decide whether to record a video. Barnard College does not offer interviews. Applicants attending high school in the United States may submit a 60-to-90-second Glimpse video, due by November 1 for Early Decision; the Glimpse fee is waived for students who qualify for an application fee waiver.
Remaining items. The application fee is $75, with waivers available, and the college remains test optional through 2027.
Writing for each college’s supplements is covered by the EDUBUS College Essay Bootcamp, and college lists and application rounds by the college admissions planning service.
Sources
- Barnard College: The Application Process: First-Year Applicants (accessed October 16, 2026)
- Barnard College: First-Year Applicants (accessed October 16, 2026)
- 2026 California School Dashboard Is LiveThe 2026 California School Dashboard is live: 77.7% of Irvine Unified graduates were Prepared on the College/Career Indicator, versus 55.2% statewide.
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