2014 Orientation

Welcome to NYU School of Law!  We are excited to have you join our community.  We see your orientation as an introduction to your classmates, faculty and other members of the law school family.  In addition, you'll launch your legal studies with a substantive program that will pave the way for a great experience here. Orientation is required for all first year JD students and will take place Wednesday, August 20 - Monday, August 25.

Click below for more information.

8/20 Registration in Golding Lounge, Vanderbilt Hall

Required Forms                Student Life Guide

Reading Assignment         Optional Reading

Optional Activities        Schedule

Registration on Wednesday, Aug. 20

You are expected to register on Wednesday, August 20 anytime between 12:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. in Golding Lounge located on the second floor of Vanderbilt Hall, at 40 Washington Square South. During this time you will receive materials and information from the Office of Student Affairs as well as have your photo taken. We estimate that the registration process should take approximately 30 minutes, provided you have completed your required forms.  At registration, you will have your photo taken for several uses.  Your permission is needed so it is important that you complete the online authorization form prior as soon as possible.  Also, please be mindful that this photo will be used for the online picture book and, with your authorization, shared with employers.  Please dress accordingly.  You may wear casual clothing however we recommend you do not wear a cap or a tank top shirt for your photo.  You will also be given a name badge at registration.  We ask that you please wear your name badge to all the section mixers, JD Orientation panels, lawyering sessions and events as it will help everyone get to know each other better.

NYU ID: All incoming students will need to secure an NYU ID card in order to gain access to our buildings and university facilities.  You can obtain your card at the NYU Card Center, 7 Washington Place, on the corner of Mercer Street to obtain your card.  The Card Center is open Monday-Friday,  8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. We recommend that you obtain your ID prior to Orientation on Wednesday, August 20, or that you visit the Card Center when you arrive on campus.

LAPTOPS: You will find your laptop will be useful throughout Orientation, but we want to point out a few critical times when you will want to have your computer with you.  On Wednesday, August 20 at 4:00 p.m. we will be holding an (optional) IT workshop in Vanderbilt Hall Room 210 (adjacent to the Golding Lounge) during which you will learn about connecting to our wireless system, printing in the Law School and a variety of other technology-related matters. The substantive programming, as well as your lawyering classes, begins on Thursday, so you will want to have your laptop with you then.  Please also remember to have your laptop with you for the closing activities on Monday afternoon.

Optional Activities on Saturday, Aug. 23

On Saturday, August 23, enjoy a full-day of free time!  New York is an incredible city and we encourage you to go out and explore the many sites and activities available. You may also consider taking part in one of the following activities hosted by the Dean and NYU Law administrators.

All Aboard! "Take the A-train" with Joel for a Tour of Harlem – 2:30 p.m.-4:00 p.m.

Meet Joel, Director for Student Financial Services, in the lobby of Furman Hall.  You will travel as a group to the Harlem/Hamilton Heights area of Manhattan via the Subway (one-way fare will be provided).

For other cool and exciting activities, visit:

nycgovparks.org         nyu.edu/ticketcentral         notfortourists.com

nycgo.com/free         timeoutny.com        nymag.com

Required Forms

We require information and your electronic signature on four online forms (your emergency contact form, pledge of academic honesty, memorandum of understanding, and your photo authorization form) by Monday, August 11. 

The required forms will be posted shortly.

Student Life Guide

The Student Life Guide is a compilation of information designed to serve as an easy resource to our students. In it, we have provided a number of services and resources that you will be able to utilize during your time here; including:

• Descriptions of NYU School of Law Offices and Services
• Ways to Get Involved
• Neighborhood Eats
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Policies on Bias, Harrassment, and Discrimination 

The 2014-15 Student Life Guide will be posted by Monday, August 4.

Reading Assignment

There is a small reading assignment for orientation which will be discussed at one of your very first orientation sessions.  Please don’t feel compelled to do anything with this case except read it a couple of times.

CLICK HERE for your reading assignment.

Optional Reading

As you prepare to begin your law school career, we wanted to bring to your attention a few books that you may find of interest. None of this is required reading but it may be helpful as you transition into law school or at some point during your first year.

1. Finding Your Voice in Law School: Mastering Classroom Cold Calls, Job Interviews and Other Verbal Challenges, by Molly Bishop Shadel, Carolina Academic Press
2. Open Book: Succeeding on Exams from the First Day of Law School, by Barry Friedman and John C.P. Goldberg, Wolters Kluwer Law & Business
3. Mindfulness for Law Students:Using the Power of Mindful Awareness to Achieve Balance and Success in Law School, by Scott L. Rogers, Mindful Living Press

Schedule