Dear Incoming GW Law Student,
We hope this message finds you well! As promised, we are writing with important dates and information essential to joining the GW Law community. We know there are a lot of things for you all to keep track of so we created this checklist with all the tasks we've sent for you and the associated deadlines. As the summer progresses, we will add items to the list as information becomes available, in the meantime, please take note of the events below and note on your calendar as appropriate.
Connect With Your Colleagues
We encourage you to prioritize making connections with other GW Law students as soon as possible. The relationships you cultivate will support your successful transition into GW Law. Some of your fellow transfer students have joined the Transfer Student Facebook Page and are waiting for you! The Student Bar Association (SBA) is working on other opportunities for you to connect including the SBA Transfer Mentor Program. If you are interested in being matched with a current student, please fill out the Transfer Student Mentorship Program Questionnaire. More information about this program is forthcoming.
Orientation
A detailed Orientation schedule will be posted to the Orientation website during the week of August 1. In the interim, please note the following important dates:
Friday, August 11 – Transfer Credit Memos (TCMs) will be sent out to all incoming students whose official transcript was received from their previous institution by July 31. This memo will indicate the number of credits transferring to the GW Law transcript and will show which, if any, course(s) a student must take. Before receiving your TCM, we encourage you to use this time to become familiar with the extensive course listing GW Law has to offer and to begin to plan a coherent academic program for your time at the Law School. The Law Bulletin contains course descriptions and you may find the Bulletin and the information for the Fall 2023 Semester on the Records Office web page.
Tuesday, August 15 – Transfer Orientation Check-in for orientation will open at 4:30 PM and the program will begin promptly at 5 PM. During the three-and-a-half-hour program dinner will be served. If you have any dietary restrictions, please notify the Dean of Students Office (deanofstudents@law.gwu.edu) so we can make the appropriate arrangements. Dress for this event is summer business casual.
Wednesday, August 16 – Academic Advising for incoming transfer students will be held from 12 PM to 2 PM. Academic Advising provides guidance on upper-level requirements, course selection, and a balanced academic program specifically tailored to the needs of each student. Though advising is not required, this session is offered by the Dean of Students Office specifically for incoming transfer students and participation is strongly encouraged. Representatives from offices and programs that will be critical to your experience here (e.g., Records, Field Placement, and the various subject matter programs) will be available for “one-stop” advising. Should you choose not to attend, you may attend general “first come-first served” advising sessions offered to all GW Law students during the “Add/Drop” period. The Add/Drop period is the time at the outset of the semester when a law student may add or drop a course or courses from their schedule without a required signature from the Dean of Students Office.
Wednesday, August 16 – SBA Transfer Panel This panel of, by and for transfer students is offered by the GW Law Student Bar Association. It is intended to provide incoming transfer students an opportunity to hear from GW Law students who transferred from other law schools into our community. These students will offer their advice for a successful transition that will be filled with challenges and rewards both socially and academically. Specific details on this afternoon event will be shared as they become available.
Wednesday, August 16 – Journal Transfer Competition Information Session This information session offered by the GW Law Journal Competition leadership will provide an opportunity for incoming transfer students to participate in Q&A about journal membership and participation in the competition. Specific details on this afternoon event will be shared as they become available. In the interim, please email gwjournalcompetition@law.gwu.edu with any questions you may have.
Wednesday, August 16 – Online Registration begins for incoming transfer students via the GWeb Information System. GWeb is the system that allows students to access online services, including registration. GWeb is currently closed for registration transactions and is scheduled to open on August 16 so you can register remotely at that time. Information for law students on how to register using GWeb will be provided closer to this date but you may familiarize yourself with access instructions on the Records Office GWeb page. Note that registration is the beginning of the Law School’s Add/Drop period for the Fall 2023 semester and runs through Tuesday, September 5.
Thursday, August 17 – Wednesday, August 21 – Journal Competition GW Law’s student journals will conduct a write-on competition for transfer students beginning Thursday, August 17 at 9 AM EDT and ending Monday, August 21 at 9 AM EDT. Competitors will have the ability to rank participating journals to be considered for membership.
We hope this information is helpful and please let us know if you have any questions.
