2014 JD 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 through Monday, August 25.

Click below for more information.

Registration                 Required Forms    

Student Life Guide             Academic Policies Guide

Reading Assignment             Optional Reading

Optional Activities                Schedule

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Registration on Wednesday, Aug. 20

You are expected to register on Wednesday, August 20, anytime between 12:00 and 4:30 p.m. in Golding Lounge located on the second floor of Vanderbilt Hall, (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 in advance and we recommend that you do this 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.

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) with proof of identification such as a state drivers license or a passport. 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.

In order to speed up the process for new members of our community, the University has recently instituted a convenient system for incoming students wishing to secure an NYU Card for the first time. The new system allows you to log-in using your NYU NetID and submit a photo online for approval and then pick up your ID when it is ready. Visit https://photoid.nyu.edu/ for more information. The basic requirements for the photo are as follows:

• Your photo must be taken against a white background.
• You must be facing straight towards the camera.
• The top of your head and both sides of your face must be completely visible in the photo.
• You cannot be wearing a hat or dark sunglasses.
• No group photos.
• After cropping, your final photo must be at least 480 pixels wide by 600 pixels high. 

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 using the Law School's network printers, and a variety of other technology-related matters. The substantive programming, including 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 area of Manhattan via the Subway to visit historic Harlem sites. Two-way train 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 these four online forms (Emergency Contact Form; Pledge of Academic Honesty; Memorandum of Understanding; Photo Authorization Form) by Monday, August 11.

The Student Life Guide and the Academic Policies 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 University and NYU School of Law Administrative Offices and Services
• Ways to Get Involved
• Neighborhood Eats
• Frequently Asked Questions

The Academic Policies Guide  describes the policies and procedures that will ordinarily govern academic and student life at New York University School of Law, including:

• Class Attendance and Residence Requirements
• Grading System and Examinations
• Student Files and Records
• Freedom in the Classroom and Freedom of the Press
• Disciplinary Procedures
• University and Federal Policies and Procedures
• University Policies on Bias, Harassment, and Discrimination 

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 want to bring to your attention a few books you may find of interest. None are required reading, but they may be helpful as you transition into law school 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

Click here for a PDF version of this schedule.