What kinds of questions are typically asked in a Barnard college interview?

Barnard interviews are usually conversational rather than high-pressure. The interviewer is often trying to get a sense of how you think, what matters to you, and why Barnard feels like a good fit for you specifically.

Common questions include things like: tell me about yourself, what are you interested in academically, why Barnard, why a women’s college, what activities or communities matter most to you, and what you hope to explore in college. You may also get questions about a class, book, project, or experience that shaped you.

They sometimes ask about how you engage with others, such as describing a community you belong to, a time you contributed to a group, or how you handle disagreement. Since Barnard values intellectual curiosity and engagement, they may ask what issue you care about, what you’ve been thinking about lately, or what excites you outside the classroom.

You should also be ready for follow-up questions. If you say you love political science, for example, they may ask what specifically interests you, what you’ve read, or what kind of campus opportunities you’d want to pursue.

Also prepare a few thoughtful questions for them. Good ones are usually specific, like asking about advising, the residential experience, student culture, or how Barnard students actually use opportunities across Barnard and Columbia.