Essential Deadlines and Key Dates in the Baruch College Academic Calendar for 2025 and 2026

Planning an academic year at Baruch College requires more than just knowing when the first day of class begins. For students within the City University of New York (CUNY) system, the academic calendar is a complex roadmap of financial deadlines, registration windows, and grade conversion points that can significantly impact both a student’s GPA and their wallet.

The primary start dates for the upcoming major terms are as follows:

Spring 2025: Classes begin Saturday, January 25, 2025.
Fall 2025: Classes begin Tuesday, August 26, 2025.
Winter 2026: Classes begin Friday, January 2, 2026.
Spring 2026: Classes begin Monday, January 26, 2026.

Understanding the nuances of these dates allows for strategic planning, ensuring that students can manage their course loads while adhering to the strict administrative requirements of the Baruch College Office of the Registrar.

The Structure of the Baruch College Academic Year

Baruch College operates on a traditional semester-based system for its primary terms (Fall and Spring), but it also offers intensive sessions during the Winter and Summer. This multi-tiered structure provides flexibility for students aiming to graduate early or balance work-life commitments, but it also means there are multiple overlapping calendars to monitor.

Fall and Spring Semesters

The Fall and Spring semesters are the anchors of the academic year, typically lasting 15 weeks including the final examination period. Each of these semesters also offers "Seven-Week Sessions" (Session I and Session II), which are accelerated formats for specific courses.

Winter Session

The Winter session is a three-week intensive period held in January. It is designed for students to complete one course (usually 3 or 4 credits) at an accelerated pace before the Spring semester begins.

Summer Sessions

The Summer term is divided into three distinct parts:

Session I: A five-week session starting in early June.
Session II: A five-week session starting in mid-July.
Session III: A ten-week session that spans the duration of both Session I and II.

Detailed Spring 2025 Academic Calendar

The Spring 2025 semester is pivotal for students looking to maintain their momentum after the New Year. The transition from the Winter break to a full course load requires careful attention to the first week's administrative deadlines.

Key Dates for the Full Spring 2025 Term

January 18, 2025: Last day to file an e-permit request for the Spring semester.
January 24, 2025: Last day to drop a course for a 100% tuition refund. This is the absolute cutoff to avoid any financial liability for a course.
January 25, 2025: Start of the Spring term; classes officially begin.
January 31, 2025: Last day to add a course or drop for a 75% tuition refund. This is also the last day to register for internships or independent studies.
February 7, 2025: Last day to drop for a 50% tuition refund.
February 14, 2025: The "Census Date." This is the last day to drop for a 25% refund. After this date, there is no refund for dropped courses. It is also the deadline to declare or change a major/minor for it to be effective for the current term.
February 15, 2025: A grade of "W" (Withdrawal) is now assigned to students who officially withdraw from a course. This is also the deadline to apply for Spring 2025 graduation.
April 1, 2025: Last day to withdraw from a course with a grade of "W."
May 15, 2025: Last day of classes.
May 16 – May 22, 2025: Final Examination period.
June 1, 2025: Spring 2025 degree conferral date.

Understanding the Seven-Week Sessions in Spring 2025

For students enrolled in the accelerated seven-week formats, the deadlines move much faster.

Session I (Jan 25 – Mar 20): The last day to withdraw with a "W" grade is February 24.
Session II (Mar 21 – May 22): The last day to withdraw with a "W" grade is April 29.

Summer 2025 Session Breakdowns

The Summer sessions at Baruch are known for their intensity. While they offer a way to get ahead, missing a single day in a five-week session is equivalent to missing a week of a standard semester.

Summer Session I (June 5 – July 11, 2025)

June 4: Last day for 100% refund.
June 5: Classes begin.
June 13: Last day to drop for 25% refund and the last day to drop without a "W" grade.
June 29: Last day to withdraw with a "W" grade.
July 11: Final examinations and end of Session I.

Summer Session II (July 14 – August 14, 2025)

July 13: Last day for 100% refund.
July 14: Classes begin.
July 19: Last day to drop for 25% refund and last day to drop without a "W" grade.
August 3: Last day to withdraw with a "W" grade.
August 14: Final examinations and end of Session II.

Fall 2025 Academic Calendar: The Start of a New Academic Year

Fall 2025 marks the return of the full campus community. Students must be aware of several "No Classes Scheduled" days that coincide with religious and public holidays.

August 18, 2025: Last day to file e-permit requests.
August 25, 2025: Last day to drop for a 100% tuition refund.
August 26, 2025: Fall 2025 term begins; classes start.
September 1, 2025: Labor Day; College is closed.
September 15, 2025: Deadline for many critical actions: last day to file for Fall 2025 graduation, last day to change a major/minor, and the end of the 25% refund period.
October 13, 2025: Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples' Day; College is closed.
October 14, 2025: Classes follow a Monday schedule (Conversion Day).
November 6, 2025: Last day to withdraw from a course with a grade of "W."
November 27 – 30, 2025: Thanksgiving Recess; College is closed or no classes scheduled.
December 15, 2025: Last day of classes.
December 16 – 22, 2025: Final Examinations.
January 1, 2026: Fall 2025 degree conferral date.

Anticipating the 2026 Academic Cycle

For those planning further ahead, the 2026 dates have been established to allow for long-term degree mapping.

Winter 2026

The Winter 2026 session is brief but demanding.

January 1, 2026: Last day for 100% refund (College closed).
January 2, 2026: Classes begin.
January 4, 2026: Last day for 25% refund.
January 16, 2026: Last day to withdraw with a "W" grade.
January 23, 2026: Final examinations and end of session.

Spring 2026

January 26, 2026: First day of classes.
February 12, 2026: Lincoln's Birthday; College closed.
February 15, 2026: Deadline for Spring graduation application and last day to drop for 25% refund.
February 16, 2026: Presidents' Day; College closed.
April 1 – 9, 2026: Spring Recess.
April 13, 2026: Last day to withdraw with a "W."
May 20 – 26, 2026: Final Examination period.

Navigating Critical Academic and Financial Deadlines

One of the most common pitfalls for Baruch students is confusing "dropping" a course with "withdrawing" from one. The academic calendar defines these actions based on the date they occur, and each carries different consequences for your transcript and financial aid.

The 100% Refund Deadline

This is the day before classes start. To receive a full refund, the course must be removed from your schedule in CUNYfirst by 11:59 PM on this date. Once the term begins, CUNY's tuition refund policy follows a sliding scale (75%, 50%, 25%), and after the "Census Date" (usually the end of the third week), no refunds are issued regardless of attendance.

WN, WD, and W Grades: What Do They Mean?

WD (Withdrawal Drop): This grade is assigned when a student drops a course after the 100% refund period but before the Census Date. It does not appear on the official transcript but is used for administrative tracking.
WN (Never Attended): If a student registers for a course but never attends, the instructor will submit a "WN" during the Verification of Enrollment process. This can have serious implications for financial aid eligibility, often requiring the student to pay back a portion of their grants.
W (Withdrawal): Assigned when a student officially withdraws from a course after the Census Date but before the final withdrawal deadline. A "W" appears on the transcript but does not affect the GPA. However, it does count toward the total attempted credits, which can impact "Satisfactory Academic Progress" (SAP) for financial aid.

The Importance of Verification of Enrollment

Early in the semester, faculty members are required to verify that all students on their roster have attended at least one class session. If you are not present and do not communicate with your professor, you risk being marked as "never attended," leading to a WN grade.

How to Handle "Conversion Days"

A unique feature of the CUNY and Baruch calendar is the "Conversion Day." These occur when the College schedule shifts to compensate for missed days due to holidays. For example, if the College is closed on a Monday, the Registrar may designate a later Tuesday or Wednesday to "follow a Monday schedule."

During a conversion day:

Your Tuesday classes will not meet.
Instead, you must attend the classes you would normally have on a Monday.
This applies to both in-person and synchronous online courses.

Failure to note these days in the calendar often leads to missed lectures and participation points. Always check the calendar for notes like "Classes follow a Monday schedule."

Pro-Tips for Successful Academic Planning at Baruch

Navigating Baruch’s rigorous environment requires a proactive approach to the calendar. Here are strategies used by successful students:

1. Sync Your Calendar Early

As soon as the Registrar publishes the PDF version of the calendar, manually enter the "No Classes Scheduled" days and "College Closed" dates into your digital calendar (Google Calendar or Outlook). Do not assume a holiday means the college is closed; sometimes, classes are held while administrative offices are shut, and vice versa.

2. Monitor Your CUNYfirst Enrollment Appointment

The academic calendar provides general dates for when registration begins, but your specific "Enrollment Appointment" is found in your CUNYfirst Student Center. Registration is staggered based on earned credits (seniors first, then juniors, etc.). Missing your specific window can mean losing out on required courses that only offer one section.

3. Graduation Filing Deadlines are Non-Negotiable

If you intend to graduate in May, you must file your application by the February deadline (usually Feb 15). If you miss this date, your degree will not be conferred until the Summer or Fall, which can delay your entry into the workforce or graduate school.

4. Final Exam Schedule Coordination

The final exam period is a block of days at the end of the term. However, your specific exam day and time may not be the same as your regular class time. Baruch publishes a separate Final Exam Schedule toward the middle of the semester. Do not book travel or flights for the end of the term until you have confirmed your final exam dates.

5. Check the e-Permit Deadlines

If you wish to take a course at another CUNY campus (for example, taking a math class at Hunter College because Baruch’s sections are full), you must submit an e-permit through CUNYfirst. These requests have an earlier deadline than general registration to allow for inter-campus processing.

Conclusion

The Baruch College academic calendar is the most important document for any student aiming to navigate their degree efficiently. By staying mindful of the tuition refund tiers, grade conversion dates, and special schedule shifts, you can avoid unnecessary costs and academic penalties. Whether you are entering the Spring 2025 semester or planning ahead for 2026, consistent reference to the official Registrar dates is the key to a stress-free experience at CUNY’s premier business and arts institution.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the difference between "College Closed" and "No Classes Scheduled"?

"College Closed" means that both classes are cancelled and administrative offices (like the Registrar or Financial Aid) are shut. "No Classes Scheduled" means students do not have to attend class, but the college offices are still open for business.

How do I find the specific dates for my Seven-Week Session?

The Baruch academic calendar typically includes separate sections for the first and second seven-week sessions. These sessions have their own distinct start, end, and withdrawal dates that are much shorter than the full 15-week term.

What happens if I miss the withdrawal deadline?

Once the "last day to withdraw with a grade of W" has passed, you are committed to the course. You will receive a letter grade (A-F) based on your performance. If you stop attending without withdrawing, you will likely receive a failing grade, which will negatively impact your GPA.

Can I take classes in both Summer Session I and Session II?

Yes, many students take one or two classes in Session I and another in Session II. However, you must ensure that the total credit load does not exceed CUNY’s maximum credit limit for the summer term without special dean’s permission.

When is the Spring Recess for 2025 and 2026?

In 2025, Spring Recess is scheduled for April 12 – 20. In 2026, it is scheduled for April 1 – 9. During this time, no classes are held, providing a break for students and faculty.

Where can I find my personal registration date?

While the academic calendar shows when registration starts for the college, you must log in to CUNYfirst, go to the "Student Center," and look for the "Enrollment Dates" section on the right-hand sidebar to find your specific appointment time.