Apply to join the BSAR team!

Hello First-Years!

The Office of Admissions is looking for enthusiastic students for the Fall 2026 Barnard Student Admissions Representative (BSAR) team! 

More than just tour guides, Barnard Student Admissions Representatives (BSARs) serve as storytellers, ambassadors, and vital resources for the future Barnard students and their families. BSARs share their experiences through campus tours, virtual panels, and interactions via email and phone calls. BSARs gain valuable public speaking experience and organization skills, all while learning more about college admissions. BSARs work closely with the professional Barnard Admissions staff and can serve on BSAR committees assisting with projects like event planning, social media content creation, college access initiatives, alumnae engagement, and more. The BSAR role offers a dynamic opportunity to grow professional skills while sharing enthusiasm for Barnard with others. 

If you are interested in joining the BSAR team, you can complete this application form and apply with your resume on Workday by Sunday, February 22nd at 11:59PM EST.

All transfer students (both Fall and Spring transfers) are welcome to apply!

German Program Planning meeting on February 27th!

Hello First-Years!

The German Department will be holding a virtual open house on Friday, February 27th from 3-4PM for all students interested in a major/minor or in new German courses being offered next semester if you are interested! 

The meeting will be held over Zoom, which you can join through this link here! You may also find the Zoom meeting information down below!

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The German Department is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: GERMAN OPEN HOUSE

Time: Feb 27, 2026 03:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://columbiauniversity.zoom.us/j/99998697289?pwd=oAgayV3CbvSbFKXcpiBHEXLD0Dj1rO.1

Meeting ID: 999 9869 7289

Passcode: 034573

Hello!! I'm a new Student Assistant in the Dean's Office!

Hi First-Years!

I'm Sophia Brown, a new Student Assistant working in the Dean's Office. I'm from St. Louis, Missouri, and I'm a second-year majoring in Latin and Cognitive Science with a focus in Cognitive Linguistics. I currently am the Games Editor of The Columbia Federalist (look out for our newest issue on 2/13!!), a set designer for the Ancient Greek play Orestes (running 4/14-4/18), and an avid mahjong player. I like to swim (kinda slowly) in Uris Pool, LOVE playing the NYT's crosswords on Crosswithfriends.com (so I can get some help from my long-distance friends), and ardently miss my three dogs. This semester, I've also started an internship working to support and elect pro-choice women across the state of New York! I'll be here to try to answer any questions you may have (walk-in hours coming 🔜), respond to emails, help run the Instagram, and overall, hope to ease your experience! 

Excited to jump in!

Sophia 

(me on my first day of 14th grade ⬇️)

First-Year Class Dean 2025-2026 Walk-In Hours! -- Monday walk-ins will be from 3-4PM on February 16th!

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 -- Walk-ins will be from 3-4PM on 2/16

• 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.

NOTE: If you need to schedule an appointment with Dean Siegel, please note that she typically works remotely on Tuesdays, so all meetings will be conducted virtually over Zoom or via phone call ONLY on that day

Stop by Friday FLI-Bys to meet with FLI advisors!

Hello First-Years!

Please see the flyer down below for Friday FLI-Bys if you are looking to meet with FLI advisors to seek advice or simply talk with! They are held every Friday from 12PM-2PM in the Access Barnard lounge located in Milbank 111!

Attend Barnard's TEDx Event on February 20th!

Hello First-Years!

Attend Barnard’s TEDx Event on Friday, February 20th from 6:30–8:00 PM in the Diana Event Oval! Enjoy free dinner while hearing from incredible student speakers as they share thought-provoking talks on topics like achievement culture, solitude, and media consumption. 

Come support your peers and be inspired by their calls to action for the Barnard community. RSVP now!

Meet Your Title VI/Title IX Coordinator!

Hello First-Years,

Please see the flyer down below for information about Sara Olszak, our Title VI/Title IX Coordinator here at Barnard and her office hours she will be holding on Monday, February 23rd from 11AM-1PM in Elliot Hall 106K and virtually over Zoom on Friday, February 27th from 3PM-5PM if you would like to learn more about the Office of Nondiscrimination and how they can help support students!

How to drop a class by the Feb 24 deadline

Friday, 1/30/2025 was the deadline to add a class, but you can still drop up to the February 24 deadline (after the drop deadline, you can withdraw with a W on or before March 26)

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 grants 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, and there are separate processes for the approved situations.

 

3. Once 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. **Do NOT forget this step!!!** You will have two days to drop the class on Vergil.*

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.

Study Abroad Fair on February 10th!

Hello First-Years!

Please take a look at the flyer down below for the upcoming Study Abroad Fair taking place on Tuesday, February 10th from 4-6PM in the Diana Event Oval if you are interested in studying abroad during your time at Barnard!

You may also find information about applying for study abroad in 2026-2027 in this blog post here! The deadline for Spring 2027 programs is Sunday, March 15, 2026.

Urban Studies Program Planning Meeting on April 7th!

Hello First-Years!

Interested in majoring in Urban Studies? Please see the flyer below for the Barnard-Columbia Urban Studies Program Planning Meeting taking place on Tuesday, April 7th at 6:15PM located in Diana 308 if you would like to attend and learn more about their program!

Register for the Spring 2026 Francine LeFrak Financial Well-Being Undergraduate Certificate Program!

Take Ownership of Your Financial Well-Being

The Francine LeFrak Financial Well-Being Undergraduate Certificate Program is an 8-week student-led financial education program with a curriculum specialized for college students by college students to jumpstart your journey towards financial freedom. Learn about budgeting, saving, investing, & so much more from Barnard peers! Register here.

Build Healthier Relationships

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.

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

Even if a class may be recorded, you my not take two classes that overlap, as the expectation is that students will attend classes in-person and synchronously, as there is no substitute for the learning experience of interacting with faculty and fellow students in person and in real time.

Longer answer: Very occasionally, in very specific circumstances, and by petition only

Okay; how do I petition?

Contact your class dean for information about how to petition the Committee on Programs and Academic Standing to take overlapping classes. Once the semester begins, petitions submitted by Thursday will be considered at the following Thursday's CPAS meeting.

How likely is it that my petition will be approved?

Such petitions are only rarely approved. Petitions with a greater chance of success will include:

• 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.
  

What should I do while I'm waiting to know if my petition is approved?

• 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!

Hello First-Years!

Last chance for PE registration!  All PE classes will be closing for registration at 4PM today Wednesday, January 28th.  Any additions or changes after that must be made thorough direct request to Department Chair Lisa Northrop (lnorthro@barnard.edu).

Apply to be a Writing and Speaking Fellow!

Interested in Becoming a Writing Fellow or a 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. 

The Writing Fellow application is now open until February 6th by 11:59 pm! The application link is the same for both Writing Fellows and Science Writing Fellows, and the Google Form includes more details about what the role entails. If you have any questions, please email writing@barnard.edu. 

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. 

The Speaking Fellow application is now open until February 20th at 11:59 pm! If you have any questions, please email speaking@barnard.edu. 

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:

Make Lab

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:

1. 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)
   
2. 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).
3. 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
   
4. Beginning Jan 26, you may attempt to register for a SIPA course using this form: https://fs23.formsite.com/SIPA/SIPARegRequest/
5. 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.

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

 

 

 2. In the Home tab of Slate, scroll down to the bottom of the page, to Forms Submitted. There you'll see any forms you have submitted and can track them along their route from submitted to approved and processed. The legend below explains any symbols

3. That's it!

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!

Hello First-Years!

There are many PE spots available in classes. Students who need to fulfill the PE requirement must join an open class and attend in order to retain their place. 

Attendance credit will be counted on the first day. Check back during each of your registration times as spots will open up as students drop/add.  

Please contact Department Chair Lisa Northrop (lnorthro@barnard.edu) with any questions.

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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This First-Year course will engage with literary expressions of the universally interesting topic of relationships. Tony Tanner in his Adultery in the Novel characterizes marriage as “the structure which supports all structure.” Contemporary critics have seen marriage as essential to maintaining the “family values” of the bourgeoisie; feminists and Marxists have challenged the economic assumptions of patriarchally-defined marriage. Folklorists have treated marriage as the endpoint of the search for a safe domestic space. We will touch on this subject, but will also turn to writing about other indispensable relationships that, increasingly, fill our lives. Animals and botanicals—and our relationship with nature—have become so obviously  Important in the past ten years that they deserve to underpin our core values, too.

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 

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.

Submit Your Electronic Application

English BC3121 (Public Speaking) open to Barnard First-Years for Spring 2026!

Hello First-Years!

As of this morning (1/16/26), English BC3121 (Public Speaking) currently has 3 spots left remaining in section 001, so if you are interested in taking this course, you may consider taking the course this semester! It is only open to undergraduates and to Barnard First-Year students only!

Please see the course information down below:

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Spring 2026 English BC3121 (Section 001)

PUBLIC SPEAKING

Call number: 00172

TR 11:40am-12:55pm

This course will introduce you to principles of effective public speaking and debate, and provide practical opportunities to use these principles in structured speaking situations. You will craft and deliver speeches, engage in debates and panel discussions, analyze historical and contemporary speakers, and reflect on your own speeches and those of your classmates. You will explore and practice different rhetorical strategies with an emphasis on information, persuasion and argumentation. For each speaking assignment, you will go through the speech-making process, from audience analysis, purpose and organization, to considerations of style and delivery. The key criteria in this course are content, organization, and adaptation to the audience and purpose. While this is primarily a performance course, you will be expected to participate extensively as a listener and critic, as well as a speaker.