The English Conference ~ Art and Artifact with Jennifer Egan (ENGL BC3098) available for Fall 2026!

Hello First-Years!

The English Department is offering a course for the fall term: The English Conference - Art and Artifact, featuring Jennifer Egan—an acclaimed American novelist and journalist! Please see the flyer and information down below if you are interested!

Best,

The First-Year Team

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What is fiction, exactly, and why does it matter?  In our screen-dominated era, these questions are worth asking and answering afresh. 

Our course will examine the ways in which works of literature—likely to include novels and novellas by Nella Larsen, Jean Rhys, Chester Himes and Philip Roth—offer portals into both the public mores and private experience of their eras.  We’ll examine each work through four lenses: 1. Technology; 2. Bodies and sexuality 3. Identity and exclusion, and 4. Notions of consciousness. We will also study the craft choices that enable their authors to achieve specific effects, with an eye toward physical description, point of view, and characterization. The conference will include creative in-class handwritten exercises aimed at accessing the unconscious and generating fruitful material. No previous literary training is necessary, and students of every age and discipline are welcome.

This is a 1-point Pass/Fail course that meets on Tuesdays from 2:10 to 4PM on October 6th, October 13th, October 20th, and October 27th ONLY.

If you're interested in taking this course, please read more information here and find the course on Vergil.

There's still time! Sign up for a Creative Writing Workshop this week!

Hello, First-Years!
We hope your first week of classes is going well! Please see below for a note from Professor Ken Chen, the associate director of creative writing at Barnard!

Dear students, 

I wanted to let you know that, if you missed the fall application deadline, you can still sign-up for a fiction, poetry, or playwriting workshop this week!

It's easy. Just email one of our friendly workshop instructors this week to ask if you can join their class--and attach a short writing sample (only 3-6 pgs. long depending on the genre). More details below!

Build your writing process. Meet other young writers in a creatively stimulating, supportive space. And take the special chance to work with our fabulous instructors, who include:

• A poet who just served as the Poet Laureate of New York;
• An acclaimed novelist whose books explore grief, the life of Vincent Van Gogh, and narrative medicine;
• A playwright who adapts classical Greek texts and who originated the role of the Angel in Tony Kushner's Angels in America on Broadway;
• A poet who's received fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts and Cave Canem and was a finalist for Lambda's Lesbian poetry award;
• A fiction-writer who received a lengthy profile in The New Yorker for being a pioneer in the autofiction genre; and
• A Pultizer prize-winning poet who's been called "the most significant English language poet born since the second World War."

If the class you want is full, try writing another one of our wonderful faculty members in the same genre. Hope you can make time for your own creativity, self-expression, and writing this semester!

Warmly,

Professor Chen

We hope you give it a shot!

The First-Year Team

Need to meet with Dean Siegel? Schedule an appointment!

Do you have a specific academic question/concern? Met with your pre-major/faculty adviser but need additional academic advising? Struggling with a particular class and need extra help? Dealing with a personal issue and need help communicating with your professors/finding extra support on campus? Want to meet with your class dean and just talk about how the year is going?

You can schedule your appointment through Slate to meet with your class dean using their booking link:

Schedule an appointment to meet with Dean Siegel (First-Year Class Dean) 

- Note: Remote on Tuesdays (virtual appointments only)

If you need help finding another time to schedule an appointment or need to meet urgently, feel free to contact our office at doas@barnard.edu or call 212-854-2024 for assistance!

As a reminder, you can also meet with any available dean on call during walk-in hours every weekday from 3:30-4:30 PM ET either in our office located in Milbank 105 or virtually through this Zoom link!

2026-2027 Class Dean Daily Walk-In Hours!

Got a quick question?

Need to talk to someone ASAP? You can meet with any available dean on call and speak with them either in-person or virtually over Zoom!

If you want to be sure you can talk at length, please make an appointment via our Slate online scheduler or contact us at doas@barnard.edu or 212-854-2024

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Every weekday (Monday-Friday) from 3:30-4:30PM Eastern Time

• Enter waiting room via this Walk-In Hours Zoom Link or visit 105 Milbank Hall
  
• 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, call the office at 212-854-2024 during business hours.

Beyond Barnard Fall 2026 Pre-Law & Law, Government and Policy Focus Events!

Hello First-Years!

Beyond Barnard will be having a ton of pre-law events on the horizon this fall, and new students especially are most welcome to join the pre-law overview session on September 15th. You can find the full list below!

Fall 2026 Pre-Law & Law, Government and Policy Focus Events 

Pre-Law Overview: Building Your Roadmap to Law School

• Date & Time: Sep 15, 2026 | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM EDT
• Format: Virtual
• Summary: Join Esther Brot Simmons, Associate Director for Pre-Professional Initiatives, to demystify pre-law prep for any major. You'll learn how to align your experiences with American Bar Association priorities and master application timelines.

Law Focus: An Admissions Officer's Insights: William & Mary Law School Info Session

• Date & Time: Sep 29, 2026 | 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM EDT
• Format: Virtual
• Summary: Matt Hedrick, Assistant Director of J.D. Admissions, introduces William & Mary’s "Citizen Lawyer" philosophy and walks through the application process from an admissions officer's perspective.

Law, Government & Policy Focus: Yale Law School Info Session

• Date & Time: Oct 6, 2026 | 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM EDT
• Format: In-person
• Summary: Join representatives from Yale Law School on campus to learn about their academic programs, unique culture, and application components.

Law Focus: BU, Cornell, GW, UCLA, and UT-Austin Law Schools Information Session

• Date & Time: Oct 15, 2026 | 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM EDT
• Format: In-Person
• Summary: Meet admissions representatives from five top law schools in one place on campus. Learn how to frame your academic achievements and navigate the admissions process across these programs.

Law, Government & Policy Focus: University of Chicago Law School Info Session

• Date & Time: Oct 26, 2026 | 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM EDT
• Format: Virtual
• Summary: Get an inside look at the University of Chicago Law School’s academic environment and culture. This session covers admissions timelines and resources to help determine if the program fits your goals. 

Law, Government & Policy Focus: Georgetown Law Info Session

• Date & Time: Oct 30, 2026 | 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM EDT
• Format: Virtual
• Summary: Connect with Georgetown Law admissions staff for an exclusive overview of their academic offerings, culture, and application process. 

Beyond Barnard overview sessions (Career Well-Being Certificate Program & Pre-Health)

Hello First-Years!

Please see the flyers from Beyond Barnard regarding upcoming overview sessions for Pre-Health and their Career Well-Being Certificate Program!

Best,

The First-Year Team

We've made it!

 

Dear Class of 2030, 

You are all finally here! We are so excited to welcome you to campus!  

We are writing to remind you that registration will re-open tomorrow morning, September 4th. If you need to make changes to your schedule at this time, please review the letter we sent last week, which we have also posted here on the First-Year Blog. If you are still looking for new or different classes this fall, we have featured a few courses with available seats on the Blog – please check it out!  

If you have immediate questions during registration, faculty advisers will be available Friday morning from 10:00AM-12:30PM. You can find their names and locations in this blog post, and on your NSOP schedule.  

Tomorrow, you will receive an email with the name of your pre-major adviser and information about scheduling your required meeting with them during the first two weeks of classes.  

Finally, here is the last Cybersecurity Corner newsletter from our friends at BCIT, which you can read in this document!

Once again, welcome to Barnard! We are so excited to work with you this year!

Best,

The First-Year Team

Fall 2026 Chorus/Chamber Singer and Voice Auditions!

Hello First-Years!

Please find the information down below regarding voice and chorus auditions for the Fall 2026 term if you are interested! You can also find this information in the first tab on the Music Department webpage located here. 

Best,

The First-Year Team

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Chorus & Voice Auditions Fall 2026

Students are advised there is a $500 fee for voice lessons unless you sing in the choir, or you are a music major or a music minor.

Choir and Chamber Singers Auditions:

• Tuesday, September 8, 2026, 6-9 pm. 405 Milbank
• Tuesday, September 15, 2026, 6-9 pm. 405 Milbank
• You may sing a song of your choice, a pianist is provided.
• Please reserve a 15 min audition time slot here using your name and UNI.
• Do not complete an audition form.

Solo Voice Auditions and Voice Classes:

• Wednesday, September 9, 6-10 pm. 325 Milbank
• Thursday, September 10, 6-10 pm. 405 Milbank
• You may sing a song of your choice in any style or language, a pianist is provided.
• Please reserve a 15 min audition time slot here using your name and UNI.
• Please complete an audition form by September 6 and email it to ALL of the listed voice instructors emails below: garcher@barnard.edu, jbjorlin@barnard.edu, Harpet2000@aol.com, cgallet@barnard.edu,  jmongiar@barnard.edu,  roos2k@yahoo.com (link: http://www.robertosborne.net/)

Important Fall 2026 Academic Information & Upcoming Deadlines

Dear Students, Welcome to the Fall 2026 semester! Please review the key registration dates, procedures, and resources below. Key Deadlines Sept 4–5: Registration re-opens in Vergil (Friday, Sept 4 for First-years; Saturday, Sept 5 for all). Sept 8: First day of classes Sept 11: Graduation Application deadline for seniors graduating at the end of the fall term; Deferred Exams for many spring 2026 classes Sept 18: Registration/Add Deadline (9:30 p.m.) & Deadline for Permission for Overload Credits.  Spring 2026 P/D/F Uncover deadline. Oct 13: Drop Deadline Dec 14: Fall 2026 Pass/D/Fail election deadline. Registration & Add/Drop (Ends Sept 18) Course Search: Use Vergil filters (e.g., search by subject, by department, by GER, by classes with open seats, etc.) to find classes.  See screenshots here.   Syllabi Preview (before registering): For many Barnard classes, you can preview syllabi via Vergil → Course Title → View in CourseWorks. Clear Registration holds: If you have a registration hold (e.g. a hold placed by the Bursar, Dean’s Office, Health Services), you will need to clear the hold before you can add/drop courses. Overloads (>19 Credits) - Continuing students only To add a class that brings you above 19 credits, you will need to submit an appeal in Vergil.   If you are already registered for more than 19 credits (by getting off of waitlists), request permission from your adviser to retain the overload credits.  Class Attendance & Locations Attendance: Attend all registered (and prospective) classes to hold your spot. Locations: Check Vergil for classroom locations before your first class session. Note that select classes will now meet in the R&D Science Center. Final Exam Schedule Reading Period (Study Days): Tuesday, December 15 and Wednesday, December 16. Final exams: Thursday, December 17 through Wednesday, December 23.  Exams cannot be rescheduled to accommodate travel plans.  Projected exam dates/times are here, with definitive schedules posted in mid-November. Reference the full academic calendar here.  For additional campus resources, visit portal.barnard.edu. Best wishes for the semester, Jennifer Simmons Registrar Holly Tedder AVP and Vice Dean of the College- Student Support

New Art History course open for Fall 2026! ~ AHIS BC2525 (Modern Japanese Art)

Hello First-Years!

Please take a look at the information down below for a new art history course that will be open to First-Year students this fall term! ~ AHIS BC2525 (Modern Japanese Art)

This course can fulfill any general education requirements! You can also find the course listing available in Vergil here!

Best,

The First-Year Team

Modern Japanese Art

AHIS BC2525

M/W 5:40-6:55PM

Location at Barnard to be announced

Professor Maggie Mustard

 

Course Description: This class is an introduction to the history of Japanese art from the mid-nineteenth century to the present. In this chronological study we will encounter a range of art forms—from woodblock prints, painting, photography, sculpture, performance, and new media—and we will consider how Japanese artists responded to major societal, political, and economic changes over the last two centuries, including industrialization and modernization, major natural disasters, war, questions of cultural/national identity, and debates centering on what “tradition” meant to artistic practice in the modern and contemporary eras. Using visual analysis as our core skillset, this course will also rely on readings from secondary scholarship, as well as those by Japanese artists and art critics from each time period to help us better understand the historical contexts surrounding each artist, artwork, or art movement.

 

Learning Objectives: In this course, students will learn how to critically engage with images and objects from the history of modern Japanese art through the skill of visual analysis. Students should come away from the course with a solid knowledge of the canonical periods in the history of modern Japanese art, and be able to confidently identify 5-10 individual artworks and comprehend the historical, political, art historical, and/or social context of the artwork that contributes to its significance in the canon. Most importantly, students should feel empowered by the above accumulated skills and knowledge to seek out additional histories and forms of creative practice that come from outside the classical Western art history narrative.

Anthropology course available for Fall 2026! ~ ANTH 3829 (Absence/Presence)

Hello First-Years!

Please see the flyer down below for an upcoming anthropology course that will be available to all students this semester!

Best,

The First-Year Team

Orientation academic advising for registration on September 4th!

Hello First-Years!

Looking to seek additional support for your second registration this Friday during NSOP? We are excited to share the schedule of available Orientation academic advisers who will be available to meet with all First-Year students on September 4th from 10:00AM-12:30PM. You can find the available faculty and their room locations at the bottom of this flyer!

Best,

The First-Year Team

Registration reopens and Pre-Major Adviser Assignments on September 4th!

 

Hello, Class of 2030!

New Student Orientation is fast upon us and we are excited to see you on campus! You should have already received your schedule from the Orientation folks last week. We wanted to highlight next steps for registration and advising. Please read on for important information:  

📌Registration reopens on Friday, September 4th 

Registration will open at 10AM next Friday on September 4th. You should not have any required NSOP events that morning and, if you need to do so, you can use this time to refine your schedule. 

Please keep in mind the following:

 

• During this window, courses at Columbia that are approved exceptions to the First-Year@Barnard rule will be available for registration on Vergil. If space is available, you may sign up for them.  

• This is the last opportunity to change your section of First-Year Writing or First-Year Seminar. First-Year Experience classes do not run waitlists and instructors cannot overenroll their sections. 

• Academic advisers will be available in their offices for consultation from 9:30AM-12:30PM on September 4th, if you have immediate questions. Details will be provided as we get closer to Friday morning.   

• Looking for a new or different course for your Fall schedule? We’ve profiled a few great options with open seats on the First-Year blog.

📌Pre-Major Advisers

You will learn the name of your Pre-Major Adviser on September 4th. Your adviser will reach out to you by email between September 4th and September 9th to invite you to schedule a mandatory meeting during the first two weeks of the term. Please be on the lookout for this invitation, as this meeting is required of all students. Your Pre-Major Advisor will be a crucial resource as you find your academic footing at Barnard and work towards major declaration next year.

📌First two weeks of the term (add/drop period) 

Registration will remain open from September 8th through September 18th, which we also call the add/drop period. You may continue to make changes to your schedule during this time, but remember that your section of FYS or FYW cannot be changed at this point.

• Here are some tips from Sophia about how to manage waitlists during the add/drop period. 

Important deadlines to note: 

• September 18th is the last day to add a class. 

• You must also have your mandatory meeting with your Pre-Major Adviser by September 18th. 

 

📌Lastly, we have another Cybersecurity newsletter from our friends at BCIT to share with you this week, which you can read in this document!

We can’t wait for your arrival next week! If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us anytime at first-year@barnard.edu

Best,

The First-Year Team

Managing waitlists!

Good morning, Class of 2030!

I know registration can be super stressful—but don’t fret! It will all get figured out, even if it’s not your first (or second, or maybe even third…) choice class. 

One thing that is almost guaranteed is that you will end up on a waitlist for a class. I certainly was not prepared for this eventuality when I came in Freshman Fall (and almost lost my mind when the schedule I had so carefully curated was nearly up in flames). However! This is normal!! The great news is that there are so many options that you will all surely find something to make the first semester meaningful!

That being said, if you are on a waitlist for a class or two, there are some things you can do to increase your chances of getting in:

1. If the waitlist is auto-fill (so it’s essentially a line of “who got there first”), make sure you attend the first few classes. Often, many people shop more credits than they ever plan to take, so seats inevitably open up in these courses.  

1. Going to every class in the add/drop period makes sure you don’t fall behind if that seat does open!

2. If the waitlist is instructor-managed, it can often help to do a bit more than just showing up to the first few classes.

1. Email! If you really, really want a class and have been waiting your whole life to take it—let that professor know! Be courteous and eager, and send a great email about why you want to be in the class and would take it seriously.

2. Introduce yourself! This is often a struggle for me, but it can be very helpful to put a face to a name if the course means a lot to you.

At the end of the day, it is only your first semester, and you will have plenty of time to get into a class, should it be full this semester. But also know that a waitlist isn’t a no!! 

Best,

Sophia