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 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.
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 a GroupMe Chat and they 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 the mentor program is forthcoming.
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:
Tuesday, August 7 – 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 several sessions covering a variety of topics including an academic advising overview of planning your program including graduation requirements, curricular and co-curricular offerings, available resources, getting involved with the GW Law Student Bar Association, a Transfer Journal Competition Information panel, and Q&A for all of the above.
Tuesday, August 7 – 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.
Tuesday, August 7 – Journal Transfer Competition Information Session
The GW Law Journal Competition leadership will provide an opportunity for incoming transfer students ask questions about journal membership and participation in the competition. Should you have any questions, please email gwjournalcompetition@law.gwu.edu.
Monday, August 12 – 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 2024 Semester on the Records Office web page.
Wednesday, August 14 – 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 (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 14 – 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 14 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 for students transferring into GW Law is the beginning of the Law School’s Add/Drop period for the Fall 2024 semester and runs through Tuesday, September 3.
Thursday, August 15 – Monday, August 19 – Journal Competition
GW Law’s student journals will conduct a write-on competition for transfer students beginning Thursday, August 15 at 9 AM EDT and ending Monday, August 19 at 9 AM EDT. Competitors will have the ability to rank participating journals to be considered for membership.
Monday, August 19 - 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 26 - 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
deanofstudents@law.gwu.edu
