This site serves as a central source of information for first-year students at Barnard. There will be regular updates with explanations of academic policies, procedures and deadlines; information from academic programs and departments; and announcements about opportunities for fellowships, grants and scholarships -- so bookmark this site and check it often!
Wednesday, October 1, 2025
Take Part in a Research Study!
Friday, September 26, 2025
Upcoming Annual Majors' Fair!
Hey First-Years,
Exciting news... Our Annual Majors' Fair is happening in about 2 weeks! Many of you may not know what you'd like to major in just yet, which is completely normal. Take this opportunity to learn more about the different departments to get closer to making that decision :) If you have any questions, don't hesitate to email us at first-year@barnard.edu!
Thursday, September 25, 2025
Empirical Reasoning Center (ERC) Workshops!
Join us for a SQL workshop this Friday! Build your resume skills by learning to write SQL queries to retrieve and analyze data. Whether you’re strengthening career skills or just curious about new ways to work with data, there’s something here for you.
RSVP here
Date: Friday, September 26 at 12 PM
Location: Milstein 102
R Workshop
Join us for a series of R workshops! As we wrapped up our first intro to R last Friday, we are ready to dive into how to use dplyr to clean, analyze, and visualize your datasets! If you were not able to attend our first workshop, you can watch the recording here
Data Analysis in R: RSVP here
Date: Friday, October 3rd at 10:30 AM
Location: Milstein 102
Data Visualization in R: RSVP here
Date: Friday, October 10th at 10:30 AM
Location: Milstein 102
QGIS Workshop
Want to turn raw data into beautiful, interactive maps? Join us for a series of QGIS workshops! Learn QGIS to create maps and visualize your data spatially. No previous experience required.
Intro to QGIS: RSVP here
Date: Friday, September 26 at 10:30 AM
Location: Milstein 102
Intermediate QGIS: RSVP here
Date: Friday, October 10th at 12 PM
Location: Milstein 102
Excel Workshop
Excel is more than a spreadsheet - join us for an Excel workshop in intermediate data analysis. Perfect for anyone working on research projects, internships, or student org budgets. If you were not able to attend our introductory workshop, you can watch the recording here
Intermediate Data Analysis in Excel: RSVP here
Date: Friday, October 3rd at 12 PM
Location: Milstein 102
Wednesday, September 24, 2025
How to drop a class by the Oct 7 deadline!
Friday, 9/12/2025 was the deadline to add a class, but you can still drop up to the October 7 deadline (after the drop deadline, you can withdraw with a W on or before November 13)
Follow the easy online steps below to drop a class on or before the deadline.
1. Contact your adviser to discuss and obtain their approval
Best practice is to have an advising conversation where you discuss options and any possible implications of this drop on your full-time status or your graduation progress, but depending on how much you and your adviser have already discussed things, they may agree to review and approve your form without such a meeting
2. Submit the online Drop Request Form
You will only be able to drop online if your adviser has granted this permission. Be sure that you are not attempting to drop below 12 credits unless approved via CARDS or as a final-semester senior -- the system will not allow drop below 12 credits without additional approval.
3. As soon as your adviser grants permission, you will receive an email informing you that you have permission to drop the class(es) discussed.
While this adviser permission is for the specific class you request, functionally it reopens your ability to drop in general, so be sure to drop the right class and nothing else.
4. Log into Vergil to drop the class within two days and on or before the October 7 deadline.*
If you don't drop within the 2-day window, you will need to request permission again.
*Note that you must drop on or before the drop deadline if you want the class removed from your transcript.
FAQ: I filled out the form and it was approved. Why is the class still on my record?
A: The form/permission does NOT drop you from the class; it just temporarily reopens your ability to drop a class yourself -- don't forget to do step 4 above!
FAQ: I dropped the class and it was removed from my transcript, and I just noticed that it is mysteriously back there now?!?!
A: This is rare, but there is a known technical glitch that sometimes causes this to happen. If you notice a previously dropped class has returned to your schedule, please email registrar@barnard.edu.
Tuesday, September 23, 2025
2025 Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE) Conference!
Hello First-Years!
Columbia Engineering is happy to invite interested Barnard students to join the Engineering 2025 Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE) Conference taking place on Thursday, October 9th, 2025 from 8:30AM - 3:00PM in the Davis Auditorium at the Columbia University, Morningside Campus!
This annual event aims to educate and inspire women from all backgrounds to pursue graduate degrees and careers in science and engineering. It offers a unique opportunity for attendees to learn about the challenges, opportunities, and rewards of being a woman in these fields. Additionally, students will have the chance to expand their networks within the Columbia Engineering community and beyond, connecting with some of the brightest and most ambitious women in science and engineering. This experience will further empower you to make an impact as the next generation of leaders!
You can register for the event through this link and find the agenda!
If you have any further questions, feel free to reach out to Ying Xu, Assistant Director of Graduate Admissions at Columbia Engineering, at yx2783@columbia.edu
Thursday, September 18, 2025
The Barnard Writing and Speaking Center is Open!
Hello First-Years!
We are excited to announce that the Writing and Speaking Center is open! Now, you can begin scheduling appointments to meet with our fellows.
The Center is here to support you at any stage of your writing or speaking projects—whether you’re brainstorming, drafting, revising, or preparing a presentation!
Writing Fellows are generous and critical readers who ask questions to help writers clarify, explain, expand, and explore their writing. We believe–and our practice reflects–that every piece a writer brings us belongs to the voice of the writer. We are active and interested observers.
Speaking Fellows are trained peers who support students in all speaking-related projects and processes. This includes helping students overcome fears about speaking in public, preparing for presentations, facilitating or participating in classroom discussions, and more!
Science Writing Fellows are a subset of the Writing Fellows program. They support all students in developing tools to describe and interpret data, use scientific language clearly and concisely, and blend the skills learned in humanities classes with scientific ones.
Creative Writing Fellows are a new subset of the Writing Fellows program. They support students working on creative writing of any form at any stage –brainstorming, revising, editing, receiving feedback, and more!
All fellows can work with all types of writing and students. You can make an appointment here
We look forward to working with you this semester!
Sincerely,
Pam Cobrin (pcobrin@barnard.edu)
Director, Barnard Writing Fellows Program
Daniela Kempf (dkempf@barnard.edu)
Associate Director, Barnard Speaking Program
Alex Watson (awatson@barnard.edu)
Associate Director, Barnard Writing Fellows Program
Diya Reddy (dkr2126@barnard.edu)
Program Administrator, Barnard Writing and Speaking Programs
Maisha Alam (malam@barnard.edu)
Science Fellow Coordinator, Barnard Writing Fellows Program
Friday, September 12, 2025
Student Worker Fall 2025 Walk-ins!
Hey First-Years!
Congratulations on nearly finishing your second week of classes. We are excited to announce that walk-in hours with student workers is back! Feel free to stop by and talk to your fellow classmate about classes, life at Barnard, and more. These walk-ins will take place on: Tuesdays 3-4pm on Zoom and Fridays 10-11am in Milbank 105. These hours will be held by Riya (me). I've already had the pleasure of meeting so many of you over the summer, but here is a quick introduction to get to know a little more about me.
Best,
The First Year Team
Wednesday, September 10, 2025
Moving with the Voice (DNCE-BC2456) open for Fall 2025!
Hello First-Years!
We wanted to send out a message from the Dance department about an open Dance course available to First-Year students if you are interested in taking this course and fulfill your PE requirement (this course is worth 2 credits.) Please see the following information down below:
Moving with the Voice (DNCE-BC2456) is a voice-movement-theater improvisation and composition class inspired by the work of MacArthur Genius grant recipient, Meredith Monk. Allison Easter is teaching the course and has worked with Meredith Monk since 1985.
The class is open to all interested students. No experience necessary, just a willingness to sing and move!
Broaden your horizons. Explore your creativity. Get PE credit.
Days/Times: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:40-3:55PM
Location: Streng Studio, Barnard Hall, first floor (opposite the fitness center)
Instructor: Allison Easter
Link to the course listing on the CU Course Directory and on Vergil if you would like more information.
If you have any further questions, please reach out to Allison Easter at aeaster@barnard.edu
Monday, September 8, 2025
First-Year Class Dean 2025-2026 Walk-In Hours!
Got a quick question?
Need to talk to a dean ASAP?
If you have something complicated or want to be sure you can talk at length, please make an appointment via Dean Siegel's online scheduler.
Mondays 3:30-4:30pm Eastern Time
- Enter waiting room via this Walk-In Hours Zoom Link or visit 105 Milbank,
- We will see students on a first-come, first-served basis.
- If we run out of time and can't see you, we apologize for the inconvenience and encourage you to schedule an appointment, to try walk-ins on a different day, or for time-sensitive matters, to call the office at 212-854-2024 during business hours.
Fridays 3:30-4:30pm Eastern Time
- Enter waiting room via this Friday Afternoon Walk-In Hours Zoom Link or visit 105 Milbank.
- We will see students on a first-come, first-served basis.
- If we run out of time and can't see you, we apologize for the inconvenience and encourage you to schedule an appointment, to try walk-ins on a different day, or for time-sensitive matters, to call the office at 212-854-2024 during business hours.
UPCOMING DEADLINE REMINDERS!
Hey First-Years,
We hope the first week of classes (aka, FWOC😍) went well for everyone! Although we're sure you're all caught up in the excitement of the semester starting, we wouldn't want you to forget about some very important reminders. Please make sure you've done the following things by the end of this week:
- You must be registered in a minimum of 12 credits by Friday, September 12. If this is the case, your Fall 2025 Course Plan in Vergil must be green (i.e. fully registered), for all courses that you are taking this semester. This includes your First-Year Seminar/Writing and PE, or any Dance technique, Varsity sport, or rehearsal/performance course for which you will earn credit this semester.
- You must meet with your pre-major adviser. Your adviser must approve your course schedule in Vergil by Friday, September 12th. Make sure to reach out to them ASAP, if you haven't already. If you're unsure how to find your who your pre-major adviser is, check out this link. Need advice or approval and can't reach your adviser? Visit us in the Deans' office!
- Friday, Sept 12 is the last day you may officially add a course to your schedule. If you need to add a course to your schedule after that date, you may need to petition the Committee on Programs and Academic Standing for permission to do so (contact your class dean if you need info about this), and a late fee may be charged.
- You may still drop courses until the Drop Deadline, which is October 7. However, to drop a course after this Friday you will need to meet with your adviser for approval.
- It is a good practice to check Vergil in the third week of term to confirm that your enrollment is accurate. You should be signed up for all the classes you intend to take, and you shouldn't see any on your schedule that you might have forgotten to drop or that you ended up in after you were enrolled off a waitlist you forgot you were on.
PE Last Call!
Friday, September 5, 2025
American Studies courses open for First-Year Students!
Hello First-Years!
We hope your first week of classes is going well! We wanted to share two American Studies courses that still currently have available seats for students who are interested: AMST BC2001: Third World Studies and AMST BC1030: Everything for Everyone: Social Movement. You can find more information on these courses down below!
Course description: Between 1967 and 1969, groups of American Indian, Black, Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Mexican, and Puerto Rican college students began to articulate demands for a transformed university, touching everything from admissions, relations to community, and curriculum. Their proposals contributed to the Third World Liberation Front strike at San Francisco State University, the longest student strike in US history. Drawing inspiration from Gary Okihiro, founding director of Columbia’s Center for the Study of Ethnicity and Race, this course takes student activists’ proposals for Third World Studies seriously. Our readings will draw on the traditions of anti-racist and anti-colonial struggle in North America, alongside perspectives from Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
Thursday, September 4, 2025
Hey First-Years,
Interested in taking an English course or becoming an English Major? We have the perfect opportunity for you! Get a chance to talk directly with the English Department Faculty on Tuesday September 9th, 5-6pm. Bonus: they have free cookies and hot chocolate!! Check out the details in the poster below.
Tuesday, September 2, 2025
Barnard's Lab Science Requirement
Hey First-Years!
One of the many experiences, or rites of passage even, that all Barnard students must go through includes the Lab + Lecture Foundational Science requirement. Maybe you're wondering: "but what combination of classes fulfill this requirement?"... Well, lucky for you we have an excellent resource that lists all the possible options for this specific requirement! Check out this link, located on Slate.
As always, if you have any questions don't hesitate to reach out to us at first-year@barnard.edu!
Best,
The First Year Team
New sections of COMS BC1016 and COMS BC1017!
Friday, August 29, 2025
Milbank 105 Update! -- In-person visits begin September 10th!

Wednesday, August 27, 2025
Open Psychology Course for Fall 2025! ~~ PSYC BC1088: The Science of Living Well
- Why so many of us feel stuck, and how to break through
- The science behind purpose, meaning, and joy
- How to face hard emotions without totally shutting down
- What it means to actually live well in a messy world
Life at Barnard: Be Like State Farm (AKA Be a Good Neighbor)
Monday, August 25, 2025
NSOP Course Registration Advising Support!
Hello First-Years!
Are you looking for additional course registration advising support to prepare for your second round of registration coming up this Friday during NSOP? Here is the schedule for registration support with Orientation advisers for First-Year students, which will be taking place Thursday, August 28th and Friday, August 29th. You can find the available advisers, times for both dates, and locations down below! Everyone will be ready to support all students regardless of major or interests, so if you feel that you may need extra support, this will be a great opportunity for you to seek that extra help!
You can also find these details in your NSOP Guidebooks! If you did not receive your NSOP schedule or have any further NSOP-related questions, you may reach the NSOP team directly at Orientation@barnard.edu
Best,
The First-Year Team
Thursday, August 28 | 3:00PM – 3:45 PM
- JJ Miranda – Milbank 416S
- Pat Denison – 410A Barnard
- Antoni Fernández Perera – 224 Milbank
- Terryanne Maenza-Gmelch – 528 W 120th St., 705
- Pam Cobrin – 216 Barnard
- Christian Rojas – Milbank 402C
- Lisa Edstrom – 702 Milstein
- Karen Santos da Silva – Milbank 309
Friday, August 29 | 9:30AM – 11:15 AM
- Laurie Postlewate – Milbank 311
- JJ Miranda – Milbank 416S
- Pat Denison – 410A Barnard
- Antoni Fernández Perera – 210 Milbank
- Pam Cobrin – 216 Barnard
- Christian Rojas – Milbank 402C
- Lisa Edstrom – 702 Milstein
- Karen Santos da Silva – Milbank 309
Life at Barnard: Being a Good Roommate
The Student Side: NSOP!
Oh my young Barnardians, NSOP is a time honored tradition we all experienced. It was your first week on campus, you moved into your dorm, met your roommate(s), and learned that you can’t eat Cinnamon Toast Crunch for every meal without feeling your arteries starting to clot.
Here are some of the highlights of NSOP:
Friday, August 22, 2025
Fall Semester Timeline!!
Hey First-Years,
Take a look at this timeline we put together for a quick look at upcoming (and some further away) dates to keep in mind! With that, we hope you have an amazing weekend :)
New Sections of Elementary Italian I and American Sign Language I are now available on Vergil!
New Sections of Elementary Italian I and American Sign Language I!
Do you still need to sign up for a class that completes the language requirement? New sections of Elementary Italian I and American Sign Language I have just been added to Vergil. No prior knowledge of either language is required.
Registration Round 2: What's new?
We are excited to welcome you to campus, Barnard Class of 2029!
As you know, registration will re-open for you on Vergil at the end of NSOP, on Friday, August 29th. During this registration period, certain Columbia classes that were not available for registration in July will be available for registration on Vergil. If there is space available in a class that appears in the list below, you are welcome to register for it directly. If the class is full, and running a waitlist, you may certainly join that waitlist and see what happens during the first two weeks of term. As there are no guarantees that a space will become available in a full course, it would be wise to have a plan B.
A class for a language or level of language not offered at Barnard
Musical instrument instruction
Introductory courses in the following majors
Computer Science:
COMS W1004 Introduction to Computer Science
COMS W3134 Data Structures in Java
COMS W3157 Advanced Programming
Environmental Science:
EESCUN 2100 Earth’s Environmental Systems: Climate Systems
EESCUN 2200 Earth’s Environmental Systems: Solid Earth
SDEV UN2300 Challenges of Sustainable Environment
Mathematics:
MATH UN1205 Accelerated Multivariable Calculus
MATH UN1207 Honors Math A
MATH UN1208 Honors Math B
Statistics:
STAT UN1101 Introduction to Statistics
STAT UN1201 Introduction to Calculus-based Statistics
Exceptions to this list are unlikely to be approved. If you have a compelling case for one, please speak with an adviser during NSOP (or with your assigned pre-major adviser after NSOP) about the petition process. And again – have a back-up plan.
Life at Barnard: Dorm Sweet Dorm!
Sample Room in Sulz |