Orientation

Welcome to Barnard College!

The New Student Orientation Program (NSOP) is a large and exciting program to welcome all of our incoming first-year, transfer, and international students to the Barnard community. New students arrive on campus approximately one week prior to classes, where they are introduced to all of the resources that are available to them during their time at Barnard. Not only do we plan and implement Barnard-specific programs, but we also host programs in conjunction with our Columbia constituents.

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New Student Orientation Program (NSOP)

Our traditional New Student Orientation Program (NSOP) is required for all new first-year and transfer students to help them learn about campus resources and build community at Barnard. Throughout NSOP you will be in a small orientation group led by a current Barnard student or Orientation Leader (OL).

Barnard Orientation Fall 2023

Sunday, August 27 - Sunday, September 3

This year we created a unique orientation experience to introduce the Barnard community to new incoming students. Information related to your Fall 2023 experience will be shared directly with you via your Barnard email address. The official Fall 2023 NSOP schedule will be available in early August.

Welcome Home, Welcome Back

Welcome Home, Welcome Back is designed to bring together both incoming and returning students as the Barnard community celebrates a new academic year. Welcome Home, Welcome Back programming will provide opportunities for students to connect and get to know their peers, introduce or reintroduce students to Barnard resources, services, and opportunities, and kick-off a new academic semester. All students will receive more details about Welcome Home, Welcome Back programs in the days leading up to the start of the semester.

Questions about orientation? Email orientation@barnard.edu

Questions about move-in? Check out: Campus Housing or email housing@barnard.edu

Questions about parent orientation? Contact the Office of Family Engagement at parents@barnard.edu

NSOP Leader Information

NSOP isn’t just for incoming students — be a part of the experience again!

As students who’ve been through NSOP, you know there are many amazing student leaders involved in making sure a student’s first week on Barnard’s campus is successful and memorable. Barnard’s Student Life office plans the New Student Orientation Program in collaboration with CC/SEAS/GS and works with the various NSOP staff members. Each year, there is an NSOP Committee that works throughout the summer to plan NSOP along with full-time staff members, Crew Captains that oversee teams of Orientation Leaders, and Orientation Leaders who directly interact with a small group of students and serve as their first face on campus.

Note:

If you’re a Columbia student, find information on committee positions here.

View Our Zine

Want to know more about the community you are joining?
Check out this zine to learn about NSOP, being a student at Barnard, and more!
Explore the Barnard Zine Collection.