Dear Incoming GW Law Student,
Welcome to GW Law! We hope you are excited and proud to be starting here this fall. We are thinking about you as the summer hits full swing, eagerly anticipating your arrival, and planning for your Orientation and beyond. You can find information about Orientation on the GW Law Orientation website. Over the summer, we will send you additional messages and update the site as information becomes available.
Who Are We?
The Dean of Students Office is the initial point of contact for a variety of student issues and can assist with things like academic advising, disability support services, class recordings, and student wellness. In addition, we plan Orientation for incoming students to ensure you get acclimated to the GW Law community and hit the ground running!
Mandatory Orientation Schedule
1L Full-Time Students
- Thursday and Friday, August 17 and 18. Orientation begins in the morning and you can expect to be finished at approximately 6:00 pm on Thursday and at 5:00 pm on Friday.
1L Part-Time Students
- Tuesday, August 15, Thursday, August 17, and Friday, August 18 from 5:30 pm to approximately 8:30 pm on Tuesday, 4:00 pm to 8:30 pm on Thursday, and 6 to 7:30pm on Friday.
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The Student Bar Association (SBA)
The SBA will also sponsor evening activities for incoming students throughout the week of August 14. A detailed Orientation schedule will be posted to the Orientation website during the week of August 1. If you haven't already, make sure to join the incoming student GroupMe and Facebook group to stay up-to-date with announcements and events while getting to know your future classmates.
The SBA invites you to join upperclassmen and fellow incoming students on July 17 at 7:30 pm in informal, honest discussion via Zoom about all things 1L. Get your miscellaneous law school questions answered in a comfortable setting while getting to know your future classmates. Scan the QR code on the flyer or click here to register.
Your GW Identity and Account Activation: (DUE: ASAP)
Undergraduate Transcript Requirement: (DUE: July 1, 2023)
If you have not already done so, you must have an official copy of your final undergraduate transcript sent directly to LSAC. Please ensure that your transcript shows the conferral of your undergraduate degree. Your final official undergraduate transcript must accompany your law school application before it is archived by the Admissions Office. A complete, final official transcript must be received in order to finalize your Admissions file. This is a requirement of the American Bar Association (ABA). If your final official transcript is not received, a registration hold will be placed on your account.
New Summer Course for You: (DUE: July 14, 2023)
As you know, GW Law launched a new online course called An Introduction to the 1L Classroom—an innovative, highly tailored, and personal experience designed to equip you with the skills and tools you will need on Day One. This non-credit, ungraded course is at no cost to you and will include:
self-paced materials
live sessions offered at a variety of times in late July and early August with a small group of your colleagues and a faculty member
networking opportunities with lawyers from our network of over 33,000 alumni
individualized feedback and mentoring
free copy of Getting to Maybe, an invaluable guide to the 1L experience
Co-led by Professors Paul Schiff Berman and Anita M. Singh, this course will cover topics ranging from reading and briefing cases, to note-taking and preparing for class, to outlining and preparing for exams, to time management and overcoming imposter syndrome. You will hear from faculty, including Dean Dayna Bowen Matthew, Professor Katie Young, and members of the part-time faculty who have thrived during and after law school in a diverse range of practices.
There are still a few seats in the course. If you would like to participate, please complete this registration form no later than July 14 to be considered.
Register for Brandeis Inn: (DUE: July 15, 2023)
If you are a full-time student and would like to be added to the Brandeis Inn interest list, please complete the Brandeis Inn Request Form by July 15. The Brandeis Inn has a Monday-Thursday afternoon/evening schedule as opposed to a Monday-Friday schedule. Please note that, depending on space availability across Inns, some students may be randomly assigned to Brandeis without requesting it.
Resume Submission: (DUE: July 15, 2023)
Please complete and submit the Incoming Student Resume Form. Responses will be used to compile the entire class profile for faculty so they have a better sense of the 1L class.
Immunization Requirement: (DUE: August 1, 2023)
All matriculating students who will be under the age 26 as of August 1, 2023 must submit their immunization records directly to Student Health Services. Once you receive access to your GW email address later this month, you will be able to access the portal.
New for 2023-2024: Mandatory GW SHIP Enrollment (Waiver due September 12, 2023)
New this year, all law students will be automatically enrolled in GW Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) for 2023-2024. If you have other acceptable coverage you must waive by September 12, 2023 at University Health Plans. Please note the waiver form will be available in mid-July.
Registration for Accommodations (Complete as soon as possible, but no later than November 15)
More to Come!
Please be on the lookout as we will be in touch throughout the summer with additional information. Please let us know if you have any questions. We cannot wait to meet you all in August!
