Don't forget to sign up for PE this fall, if you were designated to do so!

If you have been designated to take PE this semester, please continue to sign-up for open PE classes and waitlists.  Schedules change and spots open up regularly during registration periods.  If you are registered for a PE class, you must attend the first class meeting on-time or you will forfeit your spot in the class.  If you are on a waitlist, you must attend the first class meeting in order to get in.  Any questions about the content of PE classes should be directed to Department Chair, Lisa Northrop (lnorthro@barnard.edu).  You may also fulfill the PE requirement through a one-point studio Dance class within the Dance Department or participation on a varsity team.

The Student Side: Move-In, Dorm Decorations, and What to Bring to College!

Room assignments have been posted and we’re sure many of y’all have already begun to plan your dorm decorations and what you’ll be bringing to college. It really is super exciting to plan your dorm room!

We’ve moved in and decorated dorm rooms a few times now, and we’re here to impart some knowledge about the move-in process, dorm room decorating, and what to bring to college.

Your UNI, ID, and Card Numbers and How To Find Them

Need some help finding ID numbers? What’s the difference between a UNI and an ID number? Let break the random combinations of numbers and digits down. 

            

Life at Barnard: Dining Halls on Campus!

Hey First-Years!

Today's post is going to be about something I’m sure is on all of your minds…

FOOD! As some of you may know, there are eight main dining halls on campus. Two at Barnard --Hewitt and Diana -- and six at Columbia: Ferris Booth, John Jay, JJ’s Place, Faculty House, Chef Mike's Sub Shop, and Chef Don's Pizza Pi. We’re going to break down for you some info about those dining halls, other cafes on campus, and dietary restrictions. LET’S GET STARTED.

AP/IB and Transfer Credits: What Counts?

Test and Transfer Credits! Something I am sure many of you have been curious about. Here is a brief overview of how Barnard handles AP, IB, and transfer credits.

Pack your passport! What to bring to Barnard if you plan to work this Fall!

Whether you’re planning to work in a campus role, a paid internship, or off-campus at the local coffee shop, all new employees are required to complete a federal form called the I-9 within three days of being hired. This form is completed in two parts, including presenting both identity and work authorization documents in-person.

Which documents can you present? A passport is easiest, but you can also present specific combinations of documents that prove both your identity and your authorization to work legally in the US. Click here to view acceptable documents, but please note - they must be originals, not copies. Add these documents to your packing list, and you’ll be all set!

If you are an international student on a visa, note that there are additional steps in your hiring process (i.e. obtaining a Social Security Number). That's why you have the International Student Services Office! They will make sure you're fully supported through this process and if you have questions, you can reach them at iss@barnard.edu!

FAQ on Work-Study and Jobs on Campus

What’s the difference between Federal Work-Study and a Barnard College Job Award?

Federal Work-Study (FWS) is funding awarded by the federal government for students to have a job. With FWS, you can work at Barnard, Columbia, or at a variety of off-campus non-profits.

Barnard College Job Award (BCJ) are funds awarded by Barnard College. BCJ can only be used for jobs at Barnard, not Columbia or off-campus. If you have a BCJ, you can still work at Columbia as a “casual worker”, meaning that your pay isn’t coming from your work-study award, or at an off-campus job.

First-Year English Department Reception on September 9th!

Hello First-Years!

Please see the following flyer down below for an upcoming reception that will be held for incoming First-Year students by the Barnard English Department on Tuesday, September 9th from 5-6PM in Sulzberger Parlor located on the 3rd Floor in Barnard Hall. If you are interested and want to meet and talk with the faculty as well as meet other incoming first-years students, take this opportunity! Refreshments will be served!

Best,

The First-Year Team

Fall 2025: ENGL BC1295 Graphic Novel Autobiographies and Biographies course!

Hello First-Years!

Please take a look at the flyer down below for information on the following course being offered from the English Department for the Fall 2025 semester!

Click here for more information!

Best,

The First-Year Team

Slate??? Student Planning???? Vergil???? Where do I go for which things????

Now that registration is fully in Vergil, are you feeling confused about which website to use for which tasks around your academic record?

Worry no more! The Registrar has you covered with this handy chart.

Also: Pro Tip: Almost anything that you need to do with courses/your record can be found under the Academics tab in the Barnard Portal.  

Important Info: General Chemistry I and Waitlists

 Dear First-Year Students,

A quick reminder as you prepare your schedules:

General Chemistry I (CHEM BC2001) is the only introductory chemistry course at Barnard and is open to all students, regardless of prior chemistry experience. The Chemistry Department offers support for students with little or no background in the subject.

Here are a few important things to keep in mind:

• All students will be waitlisted for CHEM BC2001 at first and admitted once lab registration is confirmed. If you don’t register for a lab, you won’t be able to enroll in the course.

• CHEM BC2001 is a five-credit course offered only in the fall and includes both lecture and lab.

• You must register for both CHEM BC2001 (lecture) and CHEM BC2012 (lab) to be enrolled. The lab carries no separate credit.

• Lab sections are limited due to space and safety. Please choose one that does not conflict with your classes, responsibilities, or personal/religious obligations. Lab section changes are not guaranteed after registration.

• All students will be waitlisted for CHEM BC2001 at first and admitted once lab registration is confirmed. If you don’t register for a lab, you won’t be able to enroll in the course.

• Once enrolled, dropping either lecture or lab will remove you from the course.

• If you need to switch sections, email genchem@barnard.edu with your full availability and details of any conflicts.

If you have questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help as needed!

Best,

The First-Year Team

New Physics Course Alert!!!

 Hi First Years!

We hope you're having a lovely end to your week. We have an exciting announcement from the Physics department... Introducing "ASTR BC1753- Life in the Universe", taught by Professor Nick Luber, is now available for July registration! 

This class is an amazing opportunity to fulfill your science distributional requirement, since you can also take "ASTR UN1903- Astronomy Lab" alongside "Life in the Universe" to satisfy the lab + lecture science requirement. Make sure to sign up for this course during July registration, as it always fills up quickly with upperclassmen.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns don't hesitate to reach out to us at first-year@barnard.edu or the relevant offices.

Best,

The First Year Team

Information on Barnard's Creative Writing Course Offerings

Dear First-Year Students,

If you're interested in exploring Creative Writing during your time here, this message is for you—straight from the Creative Writing Program!

Welcome to Barnard! The Barnard Creative Writing Program offers courses for all experience levels, with workshops focusing on prose, poetry, and playwriting. All undergrads are eligible to apply regardless of their major (or intended major), and are both welcome and encouraged to do so. Please click here for a short guide to the Creative Writing Program and the application process for creative writing courses, and click here to see our Fall 2025 course offerings in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and playwriting. Applications close on Sunday, August 3rd at 11:59PM. If you have any questions or would like more information, please reach out to Department Assistant Miriam Kumaradoss-Hohauser at mkumarad@barnard.edu and they'll be glad to assist you.

Warmly,

The First-Year Team

Barnard Creative Writing Program - Guide & FAQs for Incoming Students

Fall 2025 Course Catalog-Barnard Creative Writing Program

Study Languages at Barnard!

Hello First-Years!

Please take a look at the following flyer down below regarding languages Barnard offers at the elementary and/or intermediate levels.

Best,

The First-Year Team

New Pre-Health Course Just for First-Years!

 Hey First-Years!

We have some exciting news! A new course designed especially for pre-health first-years is available this fall:

PHYS BC1881 – Pre-Health Physics

Tu/Th 8:40–9:55 AM | 4.5 credits | Includes lab

This course is ideal for Biology majors and non-science majors on the pre-med or pre-dental track. It covers key physics concepts with a health-focused approach and satisfies the lab-based physics requirement for most medical schools.

 Limited to 27 students
 First-year priority enrollment
 Conceptual, biophysics-infused approach
 Same textbook as PHYS BC2001

Some calculus background is expected—if you're unsure, talk to the instructor or consider pairing it with Calculus I.

            Note: If you're majoring in Physics, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Astrophysics, or Astronomy, you should take PHYS BC2001 instead

As always, if you have any questions don't hesitate to reach out at first-year@barnard.edu or the relevant offices!

Best,
The First Year Team

UPDATE: Chinese, Korean, American Sign Language and Italian at Barnard

Hey First Years,

We hope you're all having a lovely Tuesday so far. If you are interested in taking American Sign Language, Chinese, Italian, or Korean, then please contact Professor Laurie Postlewate at lpostlewate@barnard.edu for help with individual questions and support!

As always, if you have any question, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at first-year@barnard.edu :)

Best,
The First Year Team

French Placement Exam Now Open – Important Info for Course Registration

 Hey First Years!

Are you thinking about taking French to fulfill your language requirement?? If yes, then listen up!!

Just a quick note from the French department: the French Placement Exam is now open and will be reviewed every few days. All students with previous experience in French need to take the exam—unless they earned a 5 on the AP or a 7 on the IB.

Only Elementary to Intermediate French courses are available for early registration. Those interested in upper-level courses will be able to register once regular registration begins in August.

Thanks, and best of luck to everyone taking the exam!

Warm regards,

The First-Year Team

Registration Update on Introductory Biology!!

 Hi everyone,

We wanted to share an important update about BIOL BC1500 (Introduction to Biology) lab registration.
This fall, the Biology Department is offering four separate lecture sections of BIOL BC1500 instead of one large section. To help manage enrollment more effectively, all students will register for a lab section during the first week of classes, rather than over the summer. This change ensures that students who are enrolled in the lecture receive priority for the co-requisite lab.

Please note: While you may see lab sections listed during future registration periods, they have been temporarily removed from the July registration window to support this new process. There's no need to search for or try to register for a lab section in July.

As always if you have any questions email us at first-year@barnard.edu!

Best,

The First Year Team

Barnard Basics

Hey First-Years,

We have a special message straight from the Deans' Office for Advising and Support...

We are so excited to welcome you to Barnard College! The Deans' Office for Advising and Support is committed to supporting you every step of the way and offering various resources, one being the Academic Coaching program. We are happy to provide a virtual pre-orientation program called Barnard Basics: Strategies for Success in Your First Year, hosted by the Program Coordinator for Academic Coaching, Allie Johnston. 

In this one-hour session, you will learn skills and tools that will help you not just in your academics, but in every aspect of life here at Barnard. Please see this RSVP form to sign up. There will be multiple sessions, so choose the one that works best for your schedule. If there are any conflicts or questions, feel free to reach out to Allie at ajohnsto@barnard.edu. 

Best,
The First Year Team

New Course Alert!!

Hey First-Years!

We have exciting news... More courses have been added to the July registration course list!! There's one brand new Art History class that we'd particularly like to highlight! Not only because it satisfies multiple core requirements, but also because it is an amazing opportunity for all of you. So without further ado... Drum roll please... Introducing:

AHIS 1590  New York City, taught by Prof. Anne Higonnet, on Monday/Wednesday 5:40-6:55, and Fulfills Arts & Humanities and the Mode of Thinking Locally-NYC 

New York City is our greatest metropolitan legend.  Capital of dreams, it soars to the skies, gathers immigrants from around the globe, and governs world finance. The scale of its swagger is matched only by the misery of its mistakes.  Here is your chance to get to know the epic place you chose for college. 

The course is team-taught, by professors, teaching assistants, and all its students.  Lectures are held twice a week. A third weekly session is devoted to small-group forums in which students present to each other on assigned field work themes. The first half of the course studies the relationships between urban design, immigration, and finance in three lecture units; the second half of the course explores a variety of municipal subjects such as: the many languages spoken in NYC, literature about NYC, journalism, music, dance, theater, food, fashion, politics, transportation, public monuments, museums, or vermin.

The course is designed to introduce students, especially Barnard first-year students, to their new home city, as well as to the fundamental intellectual skills of comparative reading, writing which considers competing points of view, reporting on local facts, and public speaking in real time.

What's that I hear? You're heading straight to Vergil to plan this class ASAP? That's what we thought...To reiterate, this is not the only course that's been recently added to the "Barnard Classes for FY Registration Fall 2025" spreadsheet! So definitely check out that spreadsheet when you get a chance :)

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

2025 Department Meeting recordings now available!

Hello First-Years!

Below is the compiled list of recordings from the department meetings held this week, June 23rd–27th. These general advising sessions were a valuable opportunity to ask questions about major and minor requirements, Fall semester course offerings, and to connect directly with department heads. We hope you were able to participate and found the sessions helpful!

If you were unable to attend, you can now view the recordings at your convenience. We've also included a directory of faculty and staff from each department along with their contact information, should you have any follow-up questions or wish to reach out!

Best,

The First-Year Team

Department(s)	Faculty/Staff	Recording
Psychology, Neuroscience, & Cognitive Science	Michael Wheaton (mwheaton@barnard.edu) Peter Balsam (pbalsam@barnard.edu) Ann Senghas (asenghas@barnard.edu)	Link
Pre-Health	Amanda Dye (amdye@barnard.edu)	Link
Math & Economics	Daniela De Silva (ddesilva@barnard.edu) Homa Zarghamee (hzargham@barnard.edu)	Link
Social Sciences (Sociology, Anthropology, Urban Studies, Political Science)	Xiaobo Lu (xl29@columbia.edu) Taylor Doran (tdoran@barnard.edu) Debbie Becher (dbecher@barnard.edu) Debra Minkoff dminkoff@barnard.edu) Aaron Passell (apassell@barnard.edu) Mara Green (egreen@barnard.edu)	Link
Humanities (Philosophy, English, Art History, Music, Spanish/Latin American Cultures)	Karen Lewis (klewis@barnard.edu) Patricia Denison (pdenison@barnard.edu) Gail Archer (garcher@barnard.edu) Elizabeth Hutchinson (ehutchin@barnard.edu) Maria Lozano (mlozano@barnard.edu)	Link
First-Year Experience (FYE)	Vrinda Condillac (vcondill@barnard.edu) Pam Cobrin (pcobrin@barnard.edu)	Link
Computer Science	Rebecca Wright (rwright@barnard.edu) Smaranda Muresan (smuresan@barnard.edu) Lucy Simko (lsimko@barnard.edu) Corey Toler-Franklin (ctolerfr@barnard.edu)	Link Powerpoint slides
Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics)	Angela Paoletta (apaolett@barnard.edu) Andrew Crowther (acrowthe@barnard.edu) Liz Bauer (ebauer@barnard.edu) Stiliana Savin (santonov@barnard.edu)	Link

Summer Registration 2025 Survival Guide: July Course Selection FAQs

  

Hi First Years!

Today we’re tackling all your questions about course selection. Before you register for classes, you need to know which classes you want to take. And guess who decides what classes you take? YOU.

Remember: Between July 21-25, you'll only register for FYE, P.E., and select Barnard courses; this post reviews that but also explains how you'll build the rest of your schedule and select other classes. 

Let’s go over some of your most asked questions about your first registration cycle, scheduled for the week of July 21st, as well as course selection in general:

Where can I find courses?

For July Registration, students will only be allowed to register for a limited number of courses. This includes FYE, P.E., and a select number of classes that are recommended for first years by academic departments. First-years will receive a list of courses to choose from closer to the July registration period. In the meantime, to find all the details (such as times/dates, instructor, enrollment, etc.) about your FYE and PE classes, hit up the Vergil. Department websites are another great place if you’re interested in a specific major.

What is the P.E. requirement? Where can I find P.E. classes? What classes fulfill the P.E. requirement?

All first-years need to take a P.E. (Physical Education) class within their first year at Barnard (unless you’re a JTS/Barnard Double Degree student; then you have until the end of junior year). This year, the class will be divided into the people who are taking P.E. in the Fall and Spring. By now, everyone has completed the Physical Education Requirement - Preference Form (due 6/13). You will soon receive an email letting you know which semester you’ve been assigned to.

If you go to the Vergil and use the filter, you can see all the courses that the Barnard P.E. Department offers. You can take either a Barnard P.E. course, a dance class, or play a varsity sport to fulfill the P.E. requirement. If you would like to receive P.E. credit for a varsity sport, you'll be able to do so during the NSOP registration period in August.

How many credits can I register for?

During July registration, the maximum number of credits you may be enrolled in is 16. You will not be allowed to go over this credit limit until the following registration cycles in August and September. Make sure that you are registered for either FYW or FYS, and P.E. if you are assigned to take it in the fall.

What if the FYS/FYW class I want is full?

We recommend having a healthy number of planned FYS/FYW courses in the event that your first choice is full when you register.

What will the list of select courses for July Registration include?

This will be a diverse list of courses that are recommended and/or reserving spots for first-years. This can include introductory courses in various departments for students to delve into academic interests as well as language courses. If any of these classes catch your attention, it may be in your best interest to register for them during this July period, as it’s not guaranteed that you will be able to register for these classes come Fall registration, since spots will fill up quickly.

And...that's a wrap! Please reach out to our office at first-year@barnard.edu for any questions! :)

June 2025 Timeline

Hi First-Years,

Below you'll find a timeline graphic of all important dates and deadlines June 2025! This will also be included in the upcoming Volume 2, so lookout for that!

Best,

The First-Year Team

June 23-27 2025 Department Meetings

 Hey First Years!

What class do I take for my major in the Fall? Do I major or do I minor? What is a major concentration? How can I meet people who are involved with my prospective major? What do I choose? Who do I talk to? 

If these sound like any questions you currently have in regards to what to do with your interests at Barnard, you're in luck! June 23-27, Barnard is hosting multiple general advising Department meetings on Zoom to inform you with what's going on Fall 2025 and provide guidance on what you can do as a First-Year. Department chairs/directors will give a presentation of department planning and offerings, and then usually hold space for Q&As! We HIGHLY recommend attending at least one of these meetings as it is a great way to familiarize yourself with academics at Barnard before the academic year officially begins! Here is a table of all the department meetings:

Department(s)	Meeting Date and Time	Meeting link
Psychology, Neuroscience, & Cognitive Science	Monday, June 23 10-11 AM ET	Link
Pre-Health	Monday, June 23 11AM-12 PM ET	Link
Math & Economics	Monday, June 23  12-1 PM ET	Link
Social Sciences (sociology, anthropology, urban studies, political science)	Tuesday, June 24 10-11 AM ET	Link
Humanities (philosophy, english, art history, music, spanish)	Wednesday, June 25 11-12 PM ET	Link
First-Year Experience	Thursday, June 26  10-11 AM ET	Link
Computer Science	Friday, June 27 10-11 AM ET	Link
Sciences (biology, chemistry, physics)	Friday, June 27 11-12 PM ET	Link

This information will also be included in Volume 2, so stay tuned!

Best,

The First-Year Team

How do I drop a Columbia Summer Class and can I get my money back?

How do I drop a summer Columbia class?

If you are dropping a Columbia Summer class but not all of your summer CU classes, you may drop via Vergil.  If Vergil does not cooperate, please reach out to sps-summeradvising@columbia.edu and your class dean.  

What are the deadlines to drop a summer class and receive a full tuition refund? 

Summer A Session 

June 2 is the deadline to drop a summer session A class and receive a full refund. 
You may drop a summer session A as late as June 23, but you will be responsible for tuition and fees.

Full-Term Summer Session (Summer X)

June 2 is the deadline to drop a summer session X class and receive a full refund.  
You may drop a summer session X class as late as July 21, but you will be responsible for tuition and fees.

Summer B Session 

July 11 is the deadline to drop a summer session B class and receive a full refund. 
You may drop a summer session B class from your schedule as late as August 4, but you will be responsible for tuition and fees.   

This information is also available on the CU Summer Session website. 

Can I take my summer class for PDF grading? 

In theory, yes, but because Columbia summer courses are considered transfer credit, you will only be able to transfer your Columbia summer courses to Barnard if you take them for a letter grade and earn at least a C-.

If, knowing all that, you still want to take a Columbia summer class p/d/f, the deadline to change your grading option for Summer A courses is June 23. For Summer B courses it is August 4.   For Summer X courses it is July 21.  

I want to drop all of my summer classes (even if all=1); how do I do that?  

In order to drop all of your CU summer courses, thereby withdrawing from the summer term entirely:

1. Consult with your Barnard Class Dean
2. Barnard Class Dean signs Approval to Withdraw form.
3. Student fills out Summer Non-SPS Withdrawal Request Student Form and uploads signed approval.
4. Student receives confirmation from sps-summeradvising@columbia.edu approximately 3–4 weeks after submission, once the withdrawal is finalized.  Students should continue to watch Vergil and SSOL to see adjustments to their schedule and account details.

Please refer to the CU Summer Academic Calendar and to this page, which includes more details about refunds and drop and withdrawal processes.  If you have questions about your refund, please reach out to sps-summeradvising@columbia.edu if you have any questions at all. 

This information and forms are also available on the CU Summer Session website.

I heard that this takes three weeks to process! Should I be concerned? 

Refunds, drops and transcript notations should be based on the date of form submission, not the date the form is processed -- please be in touch with the Columbia Summer School (sps-summeradvising@columbia.edu) with any questions.  

Additional reason not to worry: Unlike summer 2021, this year as in all previous years, Columbia Summer courses are considered transfer credit, so only completed CU summer courses that you pass with at least a C- and for which you have also submitted an approved Summer Course Approval Form will appear on your Barnard transcript.