We are so excited about your arrival tomorrow! It has been over a year since we’ve had students in person, and we cannot wait to welcome you! The Orientation 2021 website has been updated with additional information. You can now find the Orientation 2021 schedule, a schedule of the Student Bar Association activities as well as recordings of the Academic Excellence Series. Below, we would also like to provide some additional information and reminders.
New Information
International Services Office Presentation – All F-1 and J-1 Visa holders from must attend a presentation from the International Services Office (ISO). It will be held Wednesday, August 18 from 1:30 - 2:30 pm in Lerner 201. You should have already received a message from the ISO about this meeting so this is to serve as a reminder.
GW Information Technology Assistance – GW IT Assistance will be available during the transfer orientation check-in should you need assistance connecting with the WiFi or have questions about technology at the Law School.
What Should I Wear to Orientation? – The dress for orientation is business casual. There is no need to wear a suit!
Bookstore Information – the GW Bookstore has your books available for purchase once you are registered. Students do not have to pre-order their books. They are in the University Student Center, 800 21st Street, Lower Level. Their hours are: 8/16-8/27: 9 am-6 pm
Concentration & Course Information
Recognition of Juris Doctor Concentrations
Candidates for the Juris Doctor degree may earn a Recognition of Concentration in eleven substantive fields. Recognition requires students to complete a minimum number of credit hours in the concentration area, after completion of the required first-year curriculum. Law students may only earn one Recognition of Concentration. Specific requirements are established by the concentration directors, listed below, who are responsible for the administration of the recognition. Students who wish to receive a Recognition of Concentration are required to register that intention with the concentration director prior to their final semester in law school, but preferably earlier in their upper-level years. The concentration directors will advise interested students on the concentration area, program requirements, and course options. The concentration directors or a representative will be available for consult at Wednesday’s Advising Session.
More information specific to each concentration is available in the 2021-2022 GW Law Bulletin. In the meantime, the Concentration Directors and Coordinators for the upcoming academic year are listed below. Feel free to reach out if you are considering a concentration.
- Business & Finance Law, Professor Dalia Tsuk Mitchell
- Energy Law, Senior Advisor Donna Attanasio
- Environmental Law, Interim Director Lin Harmon-Walker
- Family Law, Associate Dean Laurie Kohn
- Government Procurement Law, Assistant Dean Jessica Tillipman
- Health Law, Professor Sonia Suter
- Intellectual Property Law, Associate Dean John Whealan
- International and Comparative Law, Associate Dean Rosa Celorio
- International Business Law, Associate Dean Rosa Celorio & Professor Dalia Tsuk Mitchell
- National Security and Cybersecurity Law, Associate Dean Lisa Schenck
- National Security and U.S. Foreign Relations Law, Associate Dean Lisa Schenck
Attached is information and guidance from Professor Steve Saltzburg on the College of Trial Advocacy, a three credit, compressed course that qualifies as Experiential Learning Credit.
Reminders
Covid-Related Information – As a reminder, all GWU students, faculty, and staff must comply with the University’s Vaccine Policy in order to return to campus this fall. Effective Saturday, July 31, GW reinstated its indoor mask requirement for all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, in university-owned or operated facilities. There is no requirement to socially distance, and masks may be lowered to eat and drink indoors.
All students should schedule their first Covid 19 test as soon as possible, ideally before the start of orientation. An appointment can be made on the Colonial Health website by clicking the Appointments button. For further information on the University's public health protocols and the COVID-19 vaccine requirement, visit coronavirus.gwu.edu.
GWorld Card – If you have already completed your application for your GWorld card, you can either pick it up from the GWorld Office in advance of orientation or we will have it for you when you arrive for check-in. Your GWorld card will be activated within approximately 4 hours of taking your Covid 19 test.
Tuition Refund Plan – 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 law school partnered with A.W.G. Dewar Inc. to offer a tuition refund plan. Costing as low as $245 per semester based on coverage options, the plan protects your educational investment by reimbursing up to 75% of the covered educational costs in the event of a medical or mental health withdrawal. The plan significantly extends and enhances GW's published refund policy as stated in the University Bulletin. If you wish to subscribe to the plan online, please submit the application and payment by August 23, 2021, the first day of classes. Information about the plan and coverage can be found here.
My best,
Andra Roy Chernack