You can find further information from our previous blog post about these events!
The last day to elect or undo the p/d/f option is the last day of classes, May 4, 2026 (unlike in past years, it is not the same as the W deadline -- W deadline remains March 26).
**Special note for graduating seniors-- you cannot uncover grades of P from a course taken during your last semester.
Also, note that courses taken p/d/f this year are subject to the current rules. Read all about p/d/f on the Registrar's website .
Grading
The instructor is not informed when a student elects the P/D/F grading option. The instructor will assign a letter grade in SSOL, which will be converted to P/D/F on your transcript.
A letter grade of A+ through C- will appear on the transcript as a P, and will not count in the gpa.
A letter grade of D will appear on the transcript as a D, and will count in the gpa.
A letter grade of F will appear on the transcript as an F, and will count in the gpa.
To elect the P/D/F Grading option:
Pro Tip:
-If you drop or officially withdraw from a class that you had previously p/d/f'd, you should also revoke the p/d/f so that it won't count towards your p/d/f limit.
FAQ:
Q: My course doesn't have a P/D/F option in Vergil! Does that mean I can't take it p/d/f????
A: No! If you can't elect p/d/f in Vergil, you can use this Slate form to do it!
The rules governing p/d/f are on this Registrar website.
We are excited to announce that the Writing and Speaking Center is open! Now, you can begin scheduling appointments to meet with our fellows.
The Center is here to support you at any stage of your writing or speaking projects—whether you’re brainstorming, drafting, revising, or preparing a presentation!
Writing Fellows are generous and critical readers who ask questions to help writers clarify, explain, expand, and explore their writing. We believe–and our practice reflects–that every piece a writer brings us belongs to the voice of the writer. We are active and interested observers.
Speaking Fellows are trained peers who support students in all speaking-related projects and processes. This includes helping students overcome fears about speaking in public, preparing for presentations, facilitating or participating in classroom discussions, and more!
Science Writing Fellows are a subset of the Writing Fellows program. They support all students in developing tools to describe and interpret data, use scientific language clearly and concisely, and blend the skills learned in humanities classes with scientific ones.
Creative Writing Fellows are a new subset of the Writing Fellows program. They support students working on creative writing of any form at any stage –brainstorming, revising, editing, receiving feedback, and more!
All fellows can work with all types of writing and students. You can make an appointment here
We look forward to working with you this semester!
Sincerely,
Pam Cobrin (pcobrin@barnard.edu)
Director, Barnard Writing Fellows Program
Daniela Kempf (dkempf@barnard.edu)
Associate Director, Barnard Speaking Program
Alex Watson (awatson@barnard.edu)
Associate Director, Barnard Writing Fellows Program
Diya Reddy (dkr2126@barnard.edu)
Program Administrator, Barnard Writing and Speaking Programs
Maisha Alam (malam@barnard.edu)
Science Fellow Coordinator, Barnard Writing Fellows Program
Short answer: in some cases, with permission
Longer answer (also explained on the Deans Office website):
For students within 2 classes (no more than 8 credits) of graduating:
Students expected to complete degree requirements in the summer of that calendar year and who will be within 2 courses (totaling no more than 8 credits) of completing their degree requirements at the culmination of the Spring semester. While such students may participate in Commencement exercises, the degree will not be conferred until October. Approval for anticipated October graduates to participate in the May ceremony in the same calendar year must be obtained from the Senior Class Dean, and students must have a detailed plan for completion of their remaining credits.
Great! How do I get this approval?
For students who will need more than 2 courses/8 credits or need to take classes beyond the summer:
In extremely rare circumstances, a student with more than 2 courses (or more than 8 credits) remaining for degree completion at the end of the Spring semester may be approved by the Dean for Academic Planning and Class Advising to participate in the May Commencement ceremonies. Please note that requests from students who need more than a semester's worth of credit after this May -- or who plan to be enrolled next fall -- are unlikely to be approved.
OK! I get that this may not be approved, but how would I request this special approval?
What if I want or need to participate in next year's Commencement ceremony?
Students whose degrees are conferred in October but who did not participate in the Commencement ceremony of that calendar year may request to the Dean of the College to participate during the ceremony the following May.
We are now in the second half of the semester, and the Academic Coaches in the Deans’ Office for Advising and Support are here to help you cross the finish line with tips, tricks, and a space to get stuff done!
Please take a look at the following flyers down below for the upcoming financial well-being series and first two sessions for seniors over the next month put together by the LeFrak Ambassadors and are free and open to all!
Students can register for all of them here: bit.ly/SeniorMoneySeries
.jpg)
Short answer: POSSIBLY NOT
Longer answer: if you can complete all your major and General Education requirements, as well as 122 credits (121 for transfers) with fewer than 12 credits this semester, and do not have any outstanding incomplete coursework from the past, you may request permission to take a minimum of 9 credits in your final semester.
To request permission for this option please submit this form beginning the first day of classes, and before the drop deadline (There is a special extension to the March 26 W deadline -- note you will have a W for any classes you're leaving now): https://slate.barnard.edu/register/final_semester_request
Per the Barnard Catalogue (emphasis added):
As of Spring 2022, in their final semester of enrollment, graduating seniors who need fewer than twelve credits to complete their degree – and who have already 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 student’s last semester. International students must consult with International Student Services in advance to determine eligibility. Students who meet this 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 may reach out to CARDS to discuss the reduced course load process at cards@barnard.edu.
FAQ:
What about the Dean's List? Don't I need to be in 12 letter-graded credits to be considered for that?
Final-semester students who are approved for fewer than 12 credits are eligible for the dean's list if they complete at least 9 credits with the requisite GPA.
When is the deadline to make this request?
The initial deadline to make this request was the Feb 24 drop deadline. You may still make this request up to the March 26 W deadline – note that any course(s) you won’t be completing at this point will have a grade of W.
The deadline to withdraw from a spring 2026 class is March 26. Withdrawn classes will not affect your GPA and you will not earn credit for them, but they will remain on your transcript, and a W will be entered in place of the final grade.
Note: You may not withdraw from a class if doing so would leave you with fewer than 12 credits.
To withdraw from a class, use this online form , following these steps:
1. Consult with your adviser.
2. Get an email from your adviser confirming they approve you to withdraw from this specific class.
3. Download that email as a PDF or save a screenshot of it.
4. Complete and submit the online W form on or before the W deadline, uploading your adviser’s confirmation email when prompted to do so.
5. You will receive an email confirmation once your W request is processed, ordinarily within two business days.
6. Within a week or so, you will see a W next to the class on your transcript.
Please see the following announcement and flyer down below!
Come join Thesis Support Group this upcoming every Thursday from 6PM to 8PM in Barnard Hall 217 to help plan out the rest of the semester. We will work together to create a manageable schedule and get started on the parts you've been pushing off so that you can enjoy your senior year with minimal stress. Snacks will be provided!
Please email us at kas2349@barnard.edu and amw2303@barnard.edu with any questions! We hope to see you there!
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 or in person beginning at any of the times below.
Tuesdays 3:30-4:30pm Eastern Time -- Walk-ins will be VIRTUAL-ONLY on 2/17
Wednesdays: Degree Audit Drop-Ins 3:30-4:30pm Eastern Time
Thursdays 3:30-4:30pm Eastern Time
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!
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.
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  |
|---|
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
All students who expect to finish requirements this semester (May 2026 grads) should have filled out the Graduation Application by the Jan 23, 2026 deadline.
Oh no! I forgot to take care of this; am I too late??? What now????
It's not too late, but at this point, you must petition ASAP (no later than Feb 20) for late approval to be added to the list of prospective May 2026 grads.
Don't delay -- take care of this today!
Both
Barnard and Columbia will use the list of students who have applied to graduate: to generate lists for commencement participation, cap-and-gown purchase, ticket eligibility,
dorm move-out dates, diplomas, eligibility for certain academic honors
and prizes, and other essential matters for graduating seniors. Failure
to apply to graduate may jeopardize your ability to participate in
Commencement this May and receive your degree on time.
Not graduating this May but have a May 2026 graduation date in Slate, Student Planning, or your degree audit?
Submit this form to update your degree date: https://slate.barnard.edu/register/chg_ant_deg_date
Questions?
Contact registrar@barnard.edu.
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!
The Neuroscience Department is launching a new neuroscience lab class specifically for non-neuroscience majors--NSBV BC1002 Introductory Laboratory in Neuroscience and Behavior. Three sections will be offered this coming Spring 2026 semester right on the Barnard campus!
If you need to fulfill your lab science requirement, you may register for this lab class concurrently with NSBV BC1001 Intro to Neuroscience lecture. Alternatively, students may also register for the lab class if you previously completed NSBV BC1001 lecture.
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.
"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."
The form to request this will be available once the semester begins, so register for at least 12 credits now, and submit this form on or before the drop deadline next semester 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
Pro Tip: Double-check that the transcript you're uploading shows the actual number of credits you are currently registered for! (The transcript may take a day to reflect changes made in Vergil.)
OR
portal.barnard.edu --> Graduation tab
If
you expect to finish requirements this spring, apply for Spring 2026
graduation.
After submitting the form successfully, you will see an on-screen confirmation page -- there is no confirmation email. Take a screenshot for your records.
If you are not planning to graduate this year, please complete this form so that we can update your record.
FAQ: I think I submitted the GradApp. How can I tell if it went through?!?!
A: Log back into Student Planning and return to the Graduation Application page. If you have successfully submitted the GradApp, you will see this confirmed here!
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.
 |
| Source: Mortarboard 1943, Barnard Digital Collections |
Students will occasionally have two exams scheduled for the same time. If you have exam conflict (two exams at the same time) or exam hardship (defined as three exams within a 24-hour period or four exams within a 48-hour period), please fill out this form.
Examinations are not rescheduled to accommodate travel plans.
The English Department wanted to share information about an 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.
------
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.
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).
--> You may request approval via this form: https://slate.barnard.edu/register/max_credit_request
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.
Q: I'm filling out a form that asks for a PDF of my degree audit. How do I get one?
A: By following these steps:
1. Navigate to your degree audit in Student Planning:
2. Click the "Print" icon in the upper right, just above the orange warning text:
3. In the Print dialogue window, select "Destination: Adobe PDF" or "Print to PDF" depending on your operating system, being sure to select "color" if that is an option.
4. Depending on how your computer is configured, this will open a new doc in Adobe or ask you where you want to save your new PDF. If your browser asks how you would like to open the file, do NOT select "Open in browser." Instead select "open in Adobe Acrobat" or whatever PDF-viewing software you have (e.g. Preview on a Mac)
5. Give it a recognizable name and note where you are saving it, so you can find it and upload it to your Slate form.
Looking to access your college transcript, but don't know how to find it? Here are the steps to find your unofficial transcript:
1) Go to Student Planning, a.k.a. "self service," and click on 'Unofficial Transcript'
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
