Barnard College: Does a pass/fail GPA impact admission?

Taking some classes pass/fail typically won't significantly impact your admission chances at Barnard College, but context matters considerably. Barnard's holistic admissions process evaluates your entire academic record, not just individual grade formats. During regular academic terms, selective colleges like Barnard prefer to see letter grades in core academic subjects, as these provide clearer evidence of your academic abilities.

Pass/fail grades from the COVID-19 pandemic period are viewed differently. If your school switched to pass/fail during this time, Barnard's admissions officers understand this was beyond your control and won't hold it against you. However, consistently choosing pass/fail options for challenging courses outside of COVID-19 might raise questions about your academic preparedness.

When deciding whether to take a class pass/fail, consider that Barnard seeks students who challenge themselves with rigorous coursework. Taking occasional pass/fail classes in electives or during particularly demanding semesters can be reasonable, but you should maintain letter grades in core subjects like English, math, science, social studies, and foreign languages. These grades help admissions officers assess your ability to handle Barnard's challenging curriculum.

Your best approach is to demonstrate academic strength through letter grades whenever possible, while using pass/fail options sparingly and strategically. If you do take classes pass/fail, be prepared to explain your choice in your application, especially if it was due to extenuating circumstances or to balance a particularly challenging course load. Remember that Barnard values intellectual curiosity and academic risk-taking, so taking challenging courses, even if your grades aren't perfect, is often better than avoiding difficulty altogether.