Information About Grading Policies

 Information About Grading Policies

• Courses taken abroad may not be taken Pass/Fail.  They must all receive some form of evaluation (e.g., grades, tutors’ reports, examination marks.)  Courses with grades of D or F will not receive credit.
• All credit-worthy courses taken abroad will be shown on your Barnard transcript, regardless of the grade.
• Foreign institutions use different grading scales. We recommend you look into the scale used on your program before you go so as not to be shocked by your first exam grade. 
• A US letter grade will appear on your transcript only if the foreign institution (or program) provides an American equivalent grade or a scale for how grades should be converted. If they do not provide this, no grade will appear on your Barnard transcript.
• We cannot dispute grades determined by other institutions. Be aware that grading is relatively harsh and is not at all inflated at many foreign institutions, so grades earned tend to be lower than here in the US.
• Grades received for courses taken abroad will not be calculated into your Barnard GPA.  Letter grades will be posted in parentheses on your transcript.  However, all grades received for academic-year courses for which credit is granted are calculated in the overall grade point average for honors upon graduation. 
• Study abroad courses and grades may, however, be considered by graduate or professional schools, which normally require the submission of an applicant's transcripts from all colleges attended.
• Grades from Columbia University programs abroad (Reid Hall, Columbia University in Beijing, KCJS and BCGS) are included in the Barnard grade point average.  Columbia summer courses are not included in the Barnard GPA.
   
• You must have an official transcript sent directly to the Registrar, 107 Milbank, before credit can be awarded.  Prompt action is recommended, for a delay may jeopardize financial aid, status for campus housing, or timely graduation. 

Transfer Of Credit And The Assignment Of Courses For Major And General Education Requirements Is Not Final Until An Official Transcript Is Reviewed By The Registrar