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!
Friday, January 30, 2026
Study Abroad Fair on February 10th!
Urban Studies Program Planning Meeting on April 7th!
Register for the Spring 2026 Francine LeFrak Financial Well-Being Undergraduate Certificate Program!
What if love were something we were taught — with intention, thought, and care? The brand new 7-week relationship management certificate program (express your interest here), offered through the Francine A. LeFrak Foundation Center for Well-Being, invites students to explore what it means to build healthy, meaningful relationships in today’s world. Through guided discussions, interactive activities, and reflective exercises, participants will develop foundational skills around communication, boundaries, consent, navigating endings, grief, and digital connections. This certificate program is facilitated by the Clery Interns in collaboration with the Being Barnard team and is designed to support students in building confidence in their interpersonal relationships, both in person and online. Questions Email lefrakcenter@barnard.edu |
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Wednesday, January 28, 2026
Hot Chocolate Table on February 5th for Summer Session!
Hello First-Years!
We wanted to share a message from Bo Hubbard, Associate Director of Summer Session & Pre-College Programs, about Summer Session here at Barnard. They are currently underway with getting courses set and would love to have students and faculty exposed to these course opportunities.
Registration is set to open on Tuesday, March 3rd and are hosting a hot chocolate table on Thursday, February 5th from 11AM-1PM in Barnard Hall to connect with students. You may find more information about the event here! You can also look through the Summer at Barnard page for further information!
Apply to study abroad in 2026-27!
Hello First-Years!
The Preliminary Barnard application to study abroad in 2026-27 is OPEN! Start your application at passport.barnard.edu. All Barnard students must submit this application in order to be approved to study abroad for a semester or academic year. Review step by step instructions for how to apply here.
Please note the NEW application deadline below:
Spring 2027 programs: March 15, 2026
For summer study abroad, the Summer 2026 Clearance Form is due by April 15, 2026.
Questions? Visit passport.barnard.edu or email studyabroad@barnard.edu for questions.
First Year FAQ: Can I take classes that overlap?
Short answer: NO
- Both classes are required (major or general education req)
- Both can only be taken this semester due to compelling reason like impending graduation
- Both faculty members are aware of the conflict and support the petition
- Course overlap is minimal, e.g. 10-15 minutes (including travel time!) once a week.
- You/your instructors have a plan to make up the missing content which is more than just watching a recording.
- Add a "Plan B" course to keep your options open
- If you're currently registered for both conflicting classes, stay in them. If your petition is not approved, you will ultimately need to drop one. If you don't drop one, the registrar will drop whichever was most recently added.
- If you're not registered for both classes, the system will not let you register for conflicting courses, though you may plan or waitlist for a course that conflicts with a registered course. We recommend that you strategically register for whichever course is more important and/or more likely to fill up if you wait.
Cognitive Science Open House on February 11th!
Hello First-Years!
Please see the flyer below for the upcoming Cognitive Science Open House that will be on Wednesday, February 11 from 6-7PM in 304 Barnard Hall if you are interested in pursuing the major!
PE Classes Closing today!
Monday, January 26, 2026
Apply to be a Writing and Speaking Fellow!
Writing Fellows
The Writing Fellows are peers who support students at all stages of the writing process. Fellows are engaged readers who help students figure out what they want to say and how to express it most clearly.
Speaking Fellows
Speaking Fellows are peers who help students develop confidence and clarity with speaking by considering different rhetorical choices. Fellows support peers with presentations, speeches, and group projects through one-on-one consultations, class visits, and workshops.
Need an extra credit of two this spring? Here are a few options!
Doing that degree-audit arithmetic and need one or two more credits?
If you're having trouble getting up to the number of credits you need and are looking for a 1-2-credit course to add, here are some options and tips.
**Be sure to check course descriptions for special registration procedures or necessary permissions.
Know of something that's not on here? Email SeniorClassDean@barnard.edu, and we'll add it!
1-2 credit course options:
1. Fulfill your PE requirement if you haven't yet.
Register online and be sure to attend the first class meeting. Students may earn no more than 2 PE credits total.
Pro Tip:
Unfortunately, there is little to no space in PE for students who want this as an elective. Only students who have not yet completed the PE requirement will be able to preregister for PE. The only way to attempt to register for elective PE is to attend in person once PE classes begin and see if space is available then.
Dance, on the other hand (see below!), often has space
2. Take a dance class
Dance classes -- now 2 credits! -- may initially appear in your myBarnard program as 0 credits -- if you don't change this when registering, you can fill out the Form to Request a Point of Dance Credit.
Pro Tip: Make sure you are not attempting to exceed the Studio Credit maximum.
3. Depending on your background and interests, here are some popular ways to enrich your academic experience while also adding a credit or two.
Pro tips:
- Depending on when you try to register, some of these may be full, but you may be able to join a waiting list.
- Be sure to check course descriptions for prerequisites or special registration procedures!
a. For students who sing, play an instrument, or want to know more about music:
- Columbia/Barnard Chorus or Chamber Singers
- Voice Lessons or Music Lessons -- see Music Performance Program website for info about auditions and fees
- These may be free for music majors and minors, and those participating in University Chorus or Orchestra -- there is additional cost for other students.
- Ear Training -- offered on a variety of levels, check Music Dept course listings for details
b. For students with some computer programming experience:
If offered:
Programming Languages -- COMS-W3101.
Development Technology -- COMS-W3102
Check Computer Science Course Listings for current options. Sometimes these classes are added later than others, so if you don't see them now, you might find them during the fall semester.
c. If you're interested in Physics/Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Psychology
Contact your department to see if you can earn credit for supervised research in a professor's lab
Or:
SEM-CONTEMP PHYSICS/ASTRONOMY - ASPH1900UN
TOPICS IN BIOLOGY - BIOL3995UN
Modern Library Resources for Scientific Research - CHEM3701BC
WHAT'S NEW IN EARTH, ENVIRONMENTAL, AND CLIMATE SCIENCE? - EESC1006UN
PERSPECTIVES IN MATHEMATICS - MATH2001BC
SUSTAINABILITY AND THE MEANING OF PLACE ON CUTTYHUNK ISLAND - SDEV4500GU
d. Workshops in some Social Science and Humanities fields:
ARTEMIS RISING SHORT COURSE IN FILMMAKING - FILM3090BC
ARTEMIS RISING SHORT COURSE IN FILM PRODUCTION - FILM3091BC
Practices in Community Building - HUMA3000UN
Religion Salon: New Directions - RELI3996BC
WORKSHP ON WEALTH & INEQUALITY - SOCI4043GU
f. If you're interested in Theatre, Dance, or Backstage work:
Practicum or Rehearsal & Performance (Theatre or Dance) -- for actors, dancers, stage managers, prop or costume makers, and theatre tech people. Check the course description to see who to contact if you are interested.
Pro Tip: Make sure you are not attempting to exceed the Studio Credit maximum.
g. If you have background in some languages and want to improve your fluency:
Check the course listings for 2-credit Intermediate or Advanced Conversation classes in Chinese, French, German, Italian, or Russian
Or supervised readings in languages -- varies each semester: past options have included Dutch, Sinhala, and Zulu.
h. If you're interested in International Affairs, Political Science, and/or Economics: consider a "short course" at the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA)
*check the course description for "course date" to see when the course starts & ends*
One of the "short courses" offered by the School for International & Public Affairs (SIPA). Search Vergil for SIPA courses between 1 and 2 credits, or the SIPA page of the CU Directory of Classes for 1-1.5-credit courses. You can't just register online for these. Here is the procedure:
- Review the course description to assess if the class is academic as opposed to professional development (Barnard will not give academic credit for nonacademic coursework)
- Contact the instructor to ask if there is space available and if it is appropriate for you given your background. Get any approvals in writing (email is fine).
- Contact your academic adviser for approval that the course appropriately fits into both your schedule and a liberal arts curriculum. Get this approval in writing as well
- Beginning Jan 26, you may attempt to register for a SIPA course using this form: https://fs23.formsite.com/SIPA/SIPARegRequest/
- If the course has already started, you will need to submit a late-add petition; meet with your class dean to discuss
Example:
4. Search Vergil for courses of 1 or 2 credits.
You'll have to scroll through a lot of things that may not help you, like labs for courses you're not taking, courses limited to class years other than yours, but this will give you the most comprehensive listing.
Pro Tip:
Check the detailed course descriptions for prerequisites, restrictions, or special application procedures.
Thursday, January 22, 2026
PE Updates!
Hi First-Years!
Still need to fulfill PE? The following classes currently have space available:
Cardio Circuits - T/TH 9am - 9:50am
Beginning Yoga - M/W 11am - 11:50am
Cardio Circuits - T/TH 12pm - 12:50pm
Body Sculpting - T/TH 5:10pm - 6:00pm
Tai Chi - M/W 2:10pm - 3pm
Sign up on Vergil and attend the next class to retain your spot. Contact Department Chair Lisa Northrop at lnorthro@barnard.edu with any questions.
FAQ: I submitted a form online -- how do I know if it was received, reviewed, or approved?
Did you submit one of the online forms that are available via the Slate for Students website?
Wondering how to track its progress, i.e. to see if/when it was received, approved, processed, etc.?
Here's how to check.
1. Log into Slate directly or find it on the Barnard Portal under the Academics tab
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
ENGL BC3164 Shakespeare II
Hi First-Years!
The English Department wanted to share information about a First-Year English course available to students this semester: ENGL BC3164 (Shakespeare II.) Feel free to find more information about the course here as well as down below from the course description.
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Prerequisites: Enrollment limited to 60 students. Critical and historical introduction to selected comedies, histories, tragedies, and romances by Shakespeare. Please note that you do not need to take ENGL BC3163: Shakespeare I and ENGL BC3164: Shakespeare II in sequence; you may take them in any order.
Everyone loves PE in January!
English BC1246 Intimate Companions: Reading And Writing
Hi First-Years!
The English Department wanted to share information about a First-Year English course available to students this semester: ENGL BC1246 (Intimate Companions: Reading and Writing.) Feel free to find more information about the course here as well as down below from the course description and a flyer attached!
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Starting with classic fairy tales and moving on to short fictions, contemporary American poetry, an affectionate study of the psyches of trees, and brief essays on animals we live with, this course will deliver an exportable cluster of ideas that may change our lives.
Need to contact a professor? Find their contact info using Columbia's person-search page!
Need to contact a prof but don't know their email address? Here's a quick way to find contact info for almost anyone at Barnard or Columbia:
Go to the main Columbia University Homepage at www.columbia.edu and click on the magnifying-glass icon at the top right
A search box will appear. Type in the first and last name of whoever you're looking for
If you just see websites and no contact or not enough contact info, click People under the search box and log in with your UNI as directed
This will give you the full CU directory listing for your person
First-Year Class Dean 2025-2026 Walk-In Hours! -- Resuming starting Friday, January 23rd, 2026!
NOTE: Regular walk-ins will resume starting Friday, January 23rd, 2026
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 2:00-3:30pm 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.
Friday, January 16, 2026
Do you need support this summer for an internship or research work in the field of human rights, social justice, or peace studies? The Peter Juviler and Dennis Dalton Human Rights Fellowship application is due March 13, 2026.
The Peter Juviler and Dennis Dalton Human Rights Fellowship Fund supports summer research and internships for students studying human rights, social justice, and peace studies. This fund is open to all students. To apply, you must submit a proposal, budget, a letter of support from a Barnard or Columbia faculty member, and a letter of support from an affiliate organization by Friday, March 13, 2026.
Below are guidelines for the application:
The Proposal (two pages maximum, double spaced, one-inch margins): A narrative description of the research project and how the funds will contribute to its success. Questions to consider:
- Where do you intend to go?
- What will you do there and how long will you need to stay?
- Have you made contact with any on-site individuals or institutions whose cooperation will be critical to your research? If yes, provide details.
- How has your research grown out of your academic pursuits?
Letter of Recommendation: The faculty letter of support should be written by a person familiar with your project and should address both the importance of this project and your qualifications.
Proposed Budget: A one-page detailed budget, preferably in chart form. Provide details regarding expenses including transportation, daily living costs such as lodging and food, and other fees or costs associated with your project. Past grants have generally been in the $2500-$3000 range.
A letter of support from an affiliate organization: The affiliate letter should be written by a person who you will work closely with and has an understanding of how you will engage with the organization.
If your project involves human subjects, please go to the Respectful Treatment of Research Participants page and click on the link for Student as PI Worksheet, and submit the completed form with your proposal. Proposals will be reviewed and assessed by the Faculty Committee on Honors. Bear in mind that although some members of the Committee may be experts in your field, most will not be; it will be wise to tailor your proposal accordingly. Grant recipients will be required to provide a report (of up to three pages) describing how the funding contributed to their project or overall academic or intellectual growth.
Please direct any questions to Professor Timothy Vasko, Director of the Human Rights Program, at tvasko@barnard.edu or to Dean Erica Siegel at esiegel@barnard.edu.
English BC3121 (Public Speaking) open to Barnard First-Years for Spring 2026!
Important Information about the Spring Semester and Shopping Period
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