Dear Incoming Transfer 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 set 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 them on your calendar as appropriate.

Orientation
A detailed Orientation schedule will be posted on the Orientation website during the week of August 1. In the interim, please note the following important dates: 
 
Wednesday, August 6 – Transfer Orientation Part 1 - Virtual Session
This virtual program is designed to introduce transfer students to the GW Law community from wherever you are currently located.  The program will consist of two sessions covering a variety of topics, including an academic advising overview of planning your program, addressing graduation requirements, curricular and co-curricular offerings, available resources, a Transfer Journal Competition Information panel, and Q&A for all of the above.  More information, including the Zoom link, will be sent closer to the event.

Wednesday, August 6 – Journal Transfer Competition Information Session 
The GW Law Journal Competition leadership will provide an opportunity for incoming transfer students to ask questions about journal membership and participation in the competition.  In the interim, should you have any questions, please email gwjournalcompetition@law.gwu.edu. 

Monday, August 11 – Transfer Credit Memos 
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 2025 Semester on the Records Office web page.

Wednesday, August 13 – Transfer Orientation Part 2 - In-Person Session
Check-in for this session will open at 9:30 AM.  One-on-one advising by faculty, program directors, and administrators will be held from 10 AM to 12 PM, followed by lunch.  Our meet-and-greet-style lunch will be a great opportunity to meet and greet other incoming students. 

If you have any dietary restrictions, please notify the Dean of Students Office by Friday, August 8 (deanofstudents@law.gwu.edu) so we can make the appropriate arrangements.  

Dress for orientation is summer business casual.

The advising session will provide an opportunity for one-on-one guidance regarding 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 concentration 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 13 – Online Registration Opens
Registration 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 13.  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 for students transferring into GW Law is the beginning of the Law School’s Add/Drop period for the Fall 2025 semester and runs through Tuesday, September 2. 

Thursday, August 14 – Monday, August 18 – Journal Competition 
GW Law’s student journals will conduct a write-on competition for transfer students beginning Thursday, August 14 at 9 AM EDT and ending Monday, August 18 at 9 AM EDT. Competitors will have the ability to rank participating journals to be considered for membership. 

Monday, August 18 - Classes Begin for Incoming First-Years 
IMPORTANT! Any incoming transfer needing to satisfy the first-year curriculum requirements of Contracts (6202), Torts (6206), or Civil Procedure I (Federal Systems) should note this is the first day of class(es) for these courses.

Monday, August 25 -  Classes Begin for Upper-Level Courses
Any incoming transfer needing to satisfy the first-year curriculum requirements of Property (6208), Legislation & Regulation (6209), or Constitutional Law I (Federal Systems) should note this is the first day of class(es) for these courses. [Criminal Law (6210) is only offered in spring semesters.]

We hope this information is helpful, and please let us know if you have any questions.

 

The Dean of Students Office
202-994-8320
deanofstudents@law.gwu.edu