Dear Incoming GW Law Student,
We hope this message finds you well! As promised, we are writing with some additional information and important deadline reminders. 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 have sent to you and the associated deadlines. As the summer progresses, we will add items to the list as information becomes available.
Last Day to Withdraw from GW Law without Financial Penalty (Due: July 27)
Apply for GW Law Footnote (Due: July 28)
Does the phrase “hiding the ball” sound like something a person does with their dog? Does a tort sound like a dessert? If so, keep reading. The Dean of Students Office, in partnership with the Office of Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion is offering the Footnote program, two additional days of orientation programming on Monday and Tuesday, August 14th & 15th. We created a schedule designed to provide participants with a preview of the law school classroom, insight into legal careers, and strategies for maintaining balance. If you are the first lawyer in your family, or you think that you could really benefit from a little insight into what to expect in your 1L year, please fill out our Footnote application.
Register for your GWorld Card (Due: August 5)
The GWorld Card is the official ID card at GW and is required to access academic buildings, campus libraries, the health and wellness center, and other services. Want to avoid waiting in long lines of new students needing GWorld cards? Upload your photo today (no later than August 5, 2023); the GWorld team will have your card pre-printed and ready for pickup at the GWorld Office.
Update Your Chosen Name, Gender Identity and Pronouns (Due: August 5)
If you indicated a preferred name in your application to GW Law, that name will be entered into the various digital records across campus. If you need to update this information or want to change it, you can find more information on the process on the Office of Diversity, Equity and Community Engagement website.
Complete Orientation Reading (Due: August 10)
Purchase the Tuition Refund Plan (Due: August 14)
Although we hope each student will sail through the semester without incident, we know from experience that is not always the case. As a result, the university partnered with GradGuard so students can purchase insurance to protect their educational investment by reimbursing up to 100% of tuition, room, and board in the event of a medical or mental health withdrawal, based on your level of coverage. Please note that your financial aid award may affect refunded amounts. Tuition insurance is available for purchase via Student eBill prior to the start of each fall and spring semester. Tuition insurance may also be purchased from GradGuard directly via their website or by calling 877-794-6603. Tuition Insurance must be purchased prior to the start of each semester to cover tuition and other covered expenses for that term. For more information, please see the GradGuard website.
Character and Fitness Disclosures (Due: August 20)
Please ensure your application to GW Law provides disclosure of any legal volitions, college disciplinary matters, or similar issues, including any that may have occurred after you submitted your application. State boards of bar examiners will note any issue disclosed in your bar application that occurred before you enrolled in law school and specifically ask the Law School whether GW Law was aware of that issue when you enrolled. If an inconsistency exists between information obtained by the bar examiners and your law school admission application, that inconsistency could impact your admission to the bar.
Please make any necessary disclosures to the Admissions Office on or before Sunday, August 20, using the GW@law.gwu.edu email address. Please err on the side of disclosure. If you have questions regarding whether something needs to be disclosed, please contact the Dean of Students Office. It is in your best interest to review your law school application to GW and email any updates to Admissions now before you formally "matriculate" as a law student.
Sign up for Information from the Law School Affinity Groups (At Your Convenience)
The law school has over 80 student-led organizations that serve as the backbone of the law school community. Chief among them are the many student affinity groups which include:
Asian/Pacific American Law Student Association (APALSA)
Black Law Student Association (BLSA)
Christian Legal Society (CLS)
Disability Law Society
J. Reuben Clark Law Society - international law society composed of LDS attorneys, law students, and others
Jewish Law Student Association (JLSA)
Lambda Law - an organization of students interested in gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) legal issues, employment concerns
Latin American Law Student Association
Law Association for Women (LAW)
Middle Eastern and North African Law Student Association (MENALSA)
Muslim Law Students Association (MLSA)
South Asian Law Student Association (SALSA)
Veteran Law Student Association (VLSA)
Each of these groups would like to welcome you personally. If you are interested in outreach, please complete this Affinity Group Interest form.
Please let us know if you have any questions!
