FAQs

Orientation FAQs

Is orientation mandatory?

Yes. Orientation is your introduction to law school. You will meet faculty, administration and your classmates. You will also begin your Research, Writing and Advocacy and Legal Bibliography classes at this time.

Do I need a student ID card?

Yes, all students must have a PantherCard, which serves as your official university ID, library card, access card to on-campus facilities, and debit card for PantherCash and PantherMeals. Cards are available from the Auxiliary Services Office, Suite 200, University Bookstore Building, two (2) business days after payment of student fees.

Where do I go for parking information? 

Visit the Office of Auxiliary and Support Services website for information about student parking, MARTA and the PantherExpress campus shuttle.

Will the College of Law provide me with an e-mail address?

The College of Law, through the university, provides an e-mail address to all incoming law students. Information on this address will be made available during the technology orientation program. If you would prefer to use your own e-mail address instead of the one assigned to you, you may update our records by filling out a form online (tutorial). You must also configure your university e-mail account to forward e-mails to that address. You are responsible for information sent to your university e-mail account.

What is a MyLaw ID and how do I get one?

Your MyLaw ID is a user name and password that allows access to resources on College of Law websites. Your user name will be the same as your Campus ID, but passwords are not currently synchronized. New students will receive an automated "welcome" e-mail with instructions at your @student.gsu.edu address. If you do not receive your welcome e-mail, try resetting your password. If that is not successful, please submit a support request.

How may I arrange accommodations if I have a disability?

Students with disabilities must provide documentation of their disability, test reports, and any school records for review to the Office of Disability Services, which will provide the appropriate academic accommodations and support services. Contact the Office of Disability Services, Suite 230, in the University Student Center or call 404-413-1560.

How do I obtain information on student insurance?

An accident and hospitalization plan is available to Georgia State University students. Applications for the insurance are available at  http://www2.gsu.edu/~wwwdos/healthinsurance.html in the office of the Dean of Students, Room 300, in the Student Center, 404-413-1515

Are there any assignments I need to complete before school starts?

Yes, assignments for the RWA classes conducted during orientation are available on the Orientation website. Assignments for the first class and all other courses can be found on the online assignment board.
Day Students must read and brief Broadwell by Broadwell v. Holmes prior to their Law School and the Legal System session on Monday, August 8th.

May I work while attending law school?

The College of Law adheres to the American Bar Association policy requiring full-time students to devote substantially all of their working hours to the study of law. Academic schedules and minimum load requirements are designed to reflect this policy. Full-time students may not be employed more than 20 hours per week. Part-time students may maintain full-time employment, but please bear in mind that this is a very demanding program.

What books do I need and where do I get them?

A text book list is located on the bulletin board outside of the Student Affairs suite on the third floor and online at the law school website. The Georgia State University Bookstore is the official carrier of all new and used law books. Some books may be available for rent at the bookstore. The Student Bar Association also operates a book swap for used books.

Note: If you receive financial aid and the amount of your assistance exceeds your institutional charges, a refund will be processed starting on Aug. 16. This delay could cause a hardship for some students purchasing books. Accordingly, a line of credit will be sent to the Georgia State Bookstore that will allow you to purchase books if you have a pending refund. The amount will be based on what you have available up to $1,000. The line of credit is available only from Aug. 8 through Aug. 13.
If a book is out of stock during the credit period, go to the bookstore's text information desk and inform an associate that you need to prepay for an out-of-stock book using your financial aid credit.

How do I get my prior student loans deferred?

Bring the deferment forms to the College of Law Registrar on the third floor of the Urban Life Building, Student Affairs Suite

Where can I eat on campus?

There are a variety of on-campus and off-campus dining locations to choose from. On-campus eateries are located on the third floor of the University Center, the first floor of the Student Center, the first floor of the University Bookstore Building, in the center of Library Plaza, and on the ground floor of Kell Hall. There are many off-campus restaurants within walking distance of the College of Law.