Senior Life Hack: How to check your remaining credits and see if you're on track for graduation

Your Unofficial Transcript in Student Planning is the best place to check how many credits you have left before graduation.
It is easier to find and understand the credit math on the Transcript than on the Degree Audit, particularly if you have repeated classes that allow you to earn credit more than once (e.g. Dance Technique, Advanced Language Through Content, Supervised Research, etc.) or are registered for a yearlong thesis that only gives you grades and credits in spring.

How to check how many credits you still need to complete your degree:

How to search Vergil for classes with open seats or other relevant criteria

Did you know you can use the Course Search in Vergil to filter for classes that have open seats?

Select “Only show classes with open seats” in the search results!

There are a bunch of other useful things you can filter for, including  classes that satisfy Barnard General Education (Foundations) requirements, classes with a particular number of credits, etc. 

NOTE ON FOUNDATIONS REQS: for Barnard requirements, it's safest to cross reference anything found here with the Slate listing of courses approved for Foundations requirements. 

NOTE ON LAB SCIENCE: Do NOT rely on Vergil for acceptable lecture-plus-lab science pairings. See recent blog post for more info on this. 

Senior year is approaching -- now is a good time to check your degree audit

Planning to graduate this year?  Now's a good time to double-check that you're on track to complete all of your requirements on time. 

Step 1: Open up both your Degree Audit and your Unofficial Transcript -- both in Student Planning

See related blog post for how to check remaining credits on your Transcript.

Step 2: Check for some important stuff

T

On your Unofficial Transcript

1. Are all the classes you took listed, are all the grades on your transcript, and do you have credit for all PE and dance classes you need?
2. Are all external credits you expect -- previous college credit, summer credit, AP/IB credit, study abroad credit, etc. -- listed? 
3. If you're planning to graduate this May:
1. Have you completed at least 86 credits, thereby attaining senior status? 
2. Are you registered -- or will you soon register -- for a schedule that puts you on track to finish everything that remains by the end of the spring?

On your Degree Audit

1. Is your expected graduation date correct?
2. Are all courses showing up as counting for the requirements you expect them to count for? Or are things listed in "Other" that you expected to see under General Education Requirements (GERs) or in your major?  
3. If you're planning to graduate this February, everything should be completed or in progress.

Step 3: Address any issues you identified in Step 2

 

Senior Class Dean 2025-2026 Walk-In Hours start Sept 2 -- virtual only first week of classes

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 Grabiner's online scheduler.

Otherwise, during the semester, you may walk in virtually beginning Tuesday, Sept 2 (note that, due to construction, walk-ins are virtual only the first week of classes -- we apologize for the inconvenience) or in person beginning Tuesday, Sept 9 at any of the times below.  

Tuesdays 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.

Wednesdays: Degree Audit Drop-Ins 3:30-4:30pm Eastern Time

• Enter waiting room via this Walk-In Hours Zoom Link or visit 105 Milbank
• We will prioritize students seeking degree audit advice but will see other students if time permits 
• 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.

Thursdays 3:30-4:30pm Eastern Time

• Enter waiting room via this Thursday 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.

Summer location change -- How to find Dean Grabiner in Millbank 119b Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and these Mondays: 6/9, 6/23, 7/7, 7/21, 8/4, & 8/25

Due to construction this summer, the class deans are being temporarily relocated to the offices of kind colleagues who are sharing space with us this summer. We should be back in our normal space in 105 Milbank by the second week of classes.

Dean Grabiner is around and available for appointments (walk-ins are virtual-only for the first week of classes) on zoom or by phone any weekday, and in-person on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and the following Mondays: 6/9, 6/23, 7/7, 7/21, 8/4, and 8/18.

How to find Dean Grabiner's summer office:

Go to Milbank Hall

Swipe your ID to enter

 

Walk up the small flight of marble stairs directly in front of you

 

 At  the top of the stairs, turn right and walk through the open doors to the carpeted hallway

Find the Access Barnard 119 Milbank suite on your right after the elevator. Open this glass door and walk straight ahead

If Dean Grabiner is available, her 119b door, directly in front of you, will be open -- come right in!

 

If Dean Grabiner's door is closed, take a seat on the bench in the hallway directly opposite, and Dean Grabiner will come invite you in when ready

 

Use this link to make an appointment with Dean Grabiner any time: https://deangrabiner.youcanbook.me/

Apply to be a Peer Academic Coach!

Are you interested in helping students build their academic skills and your leadership skills as a Peer Academic Coach for the upcoming academic year? Please see the following flyer below for more information for qualifications and how to apply!

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to the Program Coordinator, Allie Johnston, at ajohnsto@barnard.edu

Senior 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!

When/where/how to take your approved deferred exam from spring 2025

Deferred exams for Spring 2025 classes

Deferred exams from Spring 2025 will be held on Friday, Sept. 5th & Monday, Sept. 8th.  We will be in touch with you to confirm the location & room details regarding your exam details the week before exams.

Friday, September 5, 2025 9:00AM – 12:00PM - Room TBA

Friday, September 5, 2025 1:00PM – 4:00PM - Room TBA

Monday, September 8, 2025 7 9:00AM – 12:00PM - Room TBA

Monday, September 8, 2025 – 4:00 PM - Room TBA

For most in-person deferred exams, we will follow a self-scheduled exam model. You will be contacted directly if your exam has a specific day and time. Otherwise, this model, followed by a number of peer institutions, allows students to select when to take their exams from among a number of blocked exam time periods. 

Spring 2025 deferred exams must be completed by Monday, September 8, 2025.

Pro Tips:

• If you have an unavoidable conflict between a deferred exam and a current class, prioritize the exam and email your instructor, copying your class dean, to say you were advised to do this and ask how to catch up on missed content
• If you have a choice, plan to take your deferred exam at the earliest possible opportunity -- that will give you a Plan B option if anything goes awry.

Senior Year FACT or FICTION: possible to take fewer than 12 credits in your last semester????

FACT OR FICTION:
Is it true that you can take fewer that 12 credits in your last semester?

YES; this is FACT, BUT ONLY IN VERY SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES and by following proper procedure. 

As stated in the Barnard College Catalogue:

"Graduating seniors who need fewer than twelve credits to complete their degree – and who have already satisfied the College’s academic residency requirement and completed at least four full-time semesters in academic residence – may be approved to take a minimum of nine credit hours. Because Barnard students are charged a flat rate of tuition per semester, reducing one’s course load to nine credits will not change the tuition owed in the last semester. International students must consult with International Student Services in advance to determine eligibility.  Students who meet these criteria and are approved to be enrolled in nine credits are still eligible to live in Barnard’s residence halls. 

If any student who is not an eligible senior needs to register for fewer than twelve credits for disability-related reasons, they should reach out to CARDS to discuss the reduced course load process at cards@barnard.edu."

Submit this form by the drop deadline to request approval **Note that this request can only be made at the start of your final semester, for that semester**: https://slate.barnard.edu/register/final_semester_request

Heard a rumor and want to know if it's true?  Submit requests for this series to SeniorClassDean@barnard.edu

Senior FAQ: Can I take more than 19 credits? How/when can I get permission?

Q: I heard it's possible for students to get permission from their adviser to take more than 19 credits. Is that true, and if so, how/when can I get permission?

A: Yes, in rare cases, and only once the semester has begun. You may request adviser permission* for more than 19 credits only during the final registration period (Sept 2-12 for fall 2025). 

--> Stay tuned for info on the new process to request this.

NOTE: Approval after the registration deadline is by petition only.

*Please note that these requests will only be granted for urgent reasons, such as completion of a major, a minor, or for graduation requirements.

 

Q: What if I get in off a waitlist that puts me over the limit?

A: If you are removed from a waitlist and temporarily find yourself in more than 19 credits, you will need to drop the "extra" class or receive approval to exceed the limit 

Warning: if you neither request permission nor drop below 19 credits, the registrar will drop you from the most recently added class.

Need an extra credit or two this fall? 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. Pay special attention to the start dates of these courses.

**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:

Senior FAQ: How can I tell what counts for the Lab Science Foundations requirement?

PSA that, while the Vergil search and the searchable Foundations list on Slate can help you find which courses can fulfill the Lecture Science requirement (and other distributional requirements & Modes of Thinking), these searches will NOT work for Lab Science!

The only places to find a comprehensive listing of which lecture-plus-lab combinations can fulfill the Science-with-Lab General Education Requirement are:

1. Your degree audit if you have not yet satisfied this requirement.

2. This list made by the Barnard registrar, which is posted on the searchable Foundations list Slate page:  https://slate.barnard.edu/doc/lab_sci_GER.PDF

 

PSA: How to search Vergil for Barnard courses/sections -- pro tip: Use "Department Search" NOT "School Search"

Looking up course options on Vergil and need to know which are Barnard classes?

Do NOT use the "School Search" option

This may give inaccurate results for some departments like Spanish and Math 😭😭😭

 

Instead, use Department Search -- once you start typing a department and part of the word Barnard, it will helpfully autocomplete to what you need:

 

Searching this way will return only actually-Barnard results:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.  

Never miss a deadline!: Add the Barnard Academic Calendar to your gBear calendar with one click!

Worrying about keeping track registration dates, add/drop deadlines, p/d/f and W deadlines, and the like?

The Registrar has you covered with its Google Calendar version of the Academic Calendar -- you can add this to your gBear calendar with just one click!  Registration and add/drop periods for fall are already added in, so this will help you ASAP

I'm in!  How can I add the Barnard Academic Calendar to my gBear Calendar?

1.  Go to https://barnard.edu/academic-calendar (or, honestly, just google-search "Barnard Academic Calendar" -- that's how I find it every time...)

2.  Click on View Barnard's academic calendar on Google Calendar (note: you must be logged into gBear to access this!). 

3.  In the google calendar that opens, go to the bottom right-hand corner and click on the blue square with the white plus sign (you'll know you're in the right place because when you hover your mouse there, text saying "Add to Google Calendar" will pop up).

4. Once you've added the calendar, set up notifications. Some recommended settings:

Senior FAQ: can I take 2 classes that overlap?

Thanks to everyone who suggested we address this important question!

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.

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. (click here)
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.

Summer at Barnard? Summer at Columbia? Summer elsewhere? How? When?

 

If you're a rising senior or a senior who may need an additional class or two to finish up, you may be interested in -- and possibly confused by! -- summer course offerings at Barnard, Columbia, or elsewhere during summer 2025.

There are several options for Barnard students who want or need to take classes this summer:

Note that financial aid does not tend to cover summer study, although students who receive financial aid during the academic year may be eligible for limited financial assistance for Barnard summer classes (option 1, below). It is often the case that taking classes at another institution (option 3) is more affordable. Your class dean is happy to consult!

1. Barnard will offer a limited number of courses, in two summer sessions. Courses are now posted on the Barnard website and on Vergil.

When can I register for them?

Registration is now open! Registration will be first-come, first-served, so register as soon as possible if it is important for you to take something specific.

How can I register for them?

On Vergil -- yes, you read that right. Register for Barnard summer courses on Vergil

Here's a guide with screenshots for how to register using Vergil: https://sishelp.sis.columbia.edu/vergil_student_registration

How will I be billed?

Costs will be listed on the Summer website, and you will be billed by Barnard on a per-credit basis.

 

How will these courses be counted?

Summer courses will automatically appear on your Barnard transcript, just like classes taken during the year. Courses taken for a grade will factor into your Barnard GPA. 

 

What if I need CARDS accommodations in summer?

Learn more here: https://barnard.edu/disabilityservices/resources-and-opportunities-current-students

2. As in past years, Columbia will be offering summer courses, which Barnard students may take.

When can I register for them?

Registration is now open for Columbia Summer courses.

 

How can I register for them?

Also in Vergil!  Be sure to adhere to rules about summer transfer course registration, listed on the registrar's website

How will I be billed?

Columbia will bill you directly.

 

How will these courses get onto my transcript?

Note that Columbia summer courses are considered transfer credit, so in addition to registering, be sure to submit the Summer Course Approval Form. Once you complete the course(s), Columbia will automatically send transcripts to the Barnard Registrar.  Columbia Summer courses will appear as transfer credits on your Barnard transcript and will not be factored into your Barnard GPA.

 

What if I need CARDS accommodations in summer?

Learn more here: https://barnard.edu/disabilityservices/resources-and-opportunities-current-students 

 

3. You may also take courses at another accredited college or university and transfer them back to Barnard.

How do I get those approved?

Look for courses that adhere to the rules about summer transfer course registration. Register for them directly through the host university, and be sure to submit the Summer Course Approval Form and to request that a final, official transcript be sent directly to the Barnard Registrar when your courses are finished. External summer courses will appear as transfer credits on your Barnard transcript and will not be factored into your Barnard GPA.