2022 New Student Orientation for LL.M.s, S.J.D.s and Exchange Students

2022 New Student Orientation for LL.M.s, S.J.D.s and Exchange Students

 
​Important to Note

  • Add/Drop Period starts August 20 at noon and ends September 6 at 4 p.m. Detailed instructions about the add/drop process will be sent via email.
  • First-year (1L) courses start August 24. Upper-level courses start August 30. Access the Academic Calendar
  • Homework before first class: Most courses have required readings for the first class. Check Canvas for reading assignments required for each class.
  • Books: Students can purchase or rent books from the Law School's Courts and Commerce Bookstore. Please refer to Dean Vito’s email with instructions (to be sent in July) on how to order your books. For book order questions email Larry Rambo after July 18, 2022.

Optional Summer Online Programming in June, July and August 2022:

Wednesdays, Noon ET, Online via Zoom

Summer Zoom Programming

  • Open to all students, including J.D.s, LL.M.s, S.J.D.s and exchange students
  • Links to join sessions are sent every Monday via email. Students will be able to access the recordings via Canvas.

Office of Student Affairs

Mandatory International Studies Office (ISO) Orientation

July 12, 9-10:30 a.m. ET, Online via Zoom (register in advance for Zoom link)

This is a mandatory session for all F1 and J1 visa holders. Please contact Dean Adriana Vito in advance if you are unable to attend. U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents are exempted.

  • All new international students holding all non-immigrant statuses must attend the ISO Orientation Session.
  • International student advisers will review important immigration regulations and how to maintain legal status, and provide resources for international students.
  • International students entering the United States on non-immigrant visas (example: F1 and J1) are required to check in with ISO. This process can be initiated before you arrive in the United States (learn more here) but cannot be completed until you physically enter the country. Completion of this process is necessary in order to activate legal status in the U.S.

COVID-19 Precautions

Students flying from outside the United States must consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the latest vaccination and testing requirements for international travelers. Testing requirements have been recently lifted, but may be reinstated again later. Students must confirm requirements with airlines before traveling.

Visit the UVA Student Health COVID-19 webpage and FAQs to stay up to date on UVA's COVID-19 related requirements and precautions.

In-Person Mandatory Events (August 15-19, 2022)

University of Virginia School of Law, 580 Massie Road, Charlottesville, Virginia

All orientation events are mandatory for all students unless marked otherwise. If you need to miss a mandatory event for any reason please email Assistant Dean Adriana Vito.

Monday, August 15

All events take place in the Purcell Reading Room, except where noted.

11:30 a.m.-Noon, Clay Hall

Registration

Meet and Greet with Graduate Studies Office Staff

Pick up ID cards, nametags and orientation welcome kit (passport is required to pick up ID cards).

  • Graduate Studies Program Welcoming Committee: Adriana Vito, Assistant Dean for Graduate Studies; Brenda Baddley, Program Assistant; Yumiao Wang, S.J.D candidate

Noon-1:30 p.m., Caplin Pavilion

Welcome Lunch

Seating is limited for this event. Please contact Dean Adriana Vito at avito@law.virginia.edu if interested in attending.

1:45-2:15 p.m.

Welcome to the Graduate Studies Program

2:15-2:45 p.m.

Student Records Introduction

Law School Policies and Procedures

2:45- 3:15 p.m.

Student Services Introduction

Learn about resources and services available to graduate students.

3:15-3:30 p.m.

Break

3:30-5 p.m.

Effective Strategies for Success in U.S. Law Schools

Question and Answer Session

Time management, class preparation methods, outlining, study aids, academic support services available at the Law School.

Tuesday August 16, 2022

9-10:15 a.m.

Welcome to the Law & Business Program (Optional for S.J.D.s)

Study Tips

Learn how to maximize chances for success at UVA Law, including how to make the best use of faculty members’ office hours. Q&A session at the end.

10:15-10:30 a.m.

Break

10:30 a.m.-Noon, Clay Hall

Tours of the Law School and Law Library (Starts From Clay Hall)

LL.M.s and S.J.D.s will split into two groups for tours (45 minutes each tour)

Noon-1:15 p.m.

Lunch

Meals provided. Students are welcome to eat at Purcell, other Law School common areas, or outside.

1:15- 2 p.m.

New York Bar Exam Eligibility Requirements

Q&A Session

2-2:30 p.m.

Welcome to the Career Development Office

Learn about resources, services and programs offered to LL.M. students.

2:30-2:45 p.m.

Pro Bono Program

Learn about the Pro Bono Program at UVA Law and resources to fulfill the 50 hours of pro bono work required for licensure in New York.

2:45-3 p.m. 

Break

3-4 p.m.

Welcome to America: How to Set up a New and Happy Life at UVA and Charlottesville 

4-5 p.m.

Graduate Law Students Association Welcome

Meet the S.J.D.s and learn about their research, and learn about social activities.

  • S.J.D. candidates Amin R. Yacoub and Alexis Ramirez

Wednesday, August 17

All events take place in the Purcell Reading Room, except where noted.

9-10 a.m.

Introduction to Common Law, the U.S. Legal System Framework and the Socratic Method

10-11 a.m.

Introduction to Library Services and Resources

How to successfully write law school research papers, what constitutes plagiarism and how to avoid it.

11-11:10 a.m.

Break

11:10 a.m.-Noon

Lexis Training

  • Sabrina Chester

Noon-1:15 p.m.

Lunch

Meals provided. Students are welcome to eat at Purcell, other Law School common areas or outside.

1:15-2:15 p.m.

Bloomberg Training

  • Will Thompson

2-2:50 p.m.

Break and Transition to Special Event

3-5 p.m., Main Grounds

Special Event

Please check information sent by email.

Thursday, August 18

All events take place in the Purcell Reading Room, except where noted.

9-10 a.m.

Westlaw Training

  • Tami Carson

10-11 a.m.

University Judiciary Committee and Honor Committee Orientation

  • J. Daniel Elliott, J.D. candidate, Class of 2024
  • Phoebe Sam, J.D. candidate, Class of 2024

11 a.m.-Noon

The LL.M. Job Search Process (optional for S.J.D.s and exchange students)

Dynamics of the U.S. legal market, how to maximize your chances of securing employment after graduation. 

Noon-1:15 p.m.

Lunch

Meals provided. Students are welcome to eat at Purcell, other Law School common areas or outside.

1:15-2 p.m.

Welcome to Charlottesville

Learn about the area, local annual events (film festivals, opera, etc.), outdoor activities, concerts and more
  • Peer Advisors

2-2:10 p.m.

Break

2:10-3:10 p.m.

Safety Talk

Tips on driving, emergency situations, travel, legal and medical services, and more.

3:10-3:15 p.m.

Short Break

3:15-4:15 p.m.

Ask an American

Session to learn about aspects of American culture, including traditions, holidays and sports.

4:20-5 p.m.

Overview of the Journal Tryout Process

  • Alex Briggs, Membership and Inclusion Editor, Virginia Law Review, J.D. Candidate, Class of 2023

5-7 p.m., Spies Garden/Scott Commons

Family Barbecue Dinner

Casual outdoor event. Spouses, significant others, kids and family members welcome.
 

Friday, August 19

All events take place in the Purcell Reading Room, except where noted.

9-10:15 a.m.

How to Succeed in Law School Exams and Papers

Learn how to prepare for exams, review exam sample questions, organize study calendars and more.

10:15-10:30 a.m.

Break

10:30-11:45 a.m.

Alumni Panel

Learn about the career trajectory of successful LL.M. alumni, their favorite courses and professors, and favorite local activities.

11:45 a.m.-Noon

Break

Noon-1:15 p.m.

Lunch With Alumni

Sunday, August 21 (Optional for All Students)

4-6 p.m., The Park

Get-Together With Peer Advisors 

Casual, friendly welcome session to meet J.D. student volunteers. Food trucks will be available. Attendance is encouraged.

Monday, August 22-Tuesday, August 22

J.D. Orientation

Check schedule for events that are optional for LL.M.s and S.J.D.s.

University ID Cards

Each student must secure a photo ID card from the University. Students may submit a passport-style photo online by July 21, 2022.

ID cards will be distributed during orientation check in on August 15. Students must present an original valid, government-issued photo ID (such as a driver’s license or passport). University ID photos will be used in the Law School’s photo directory and seating charts (different than your biography book being created now). University ID's are required o enter the Law School building when it is locked (card swipe at the door), use university Transit (buses are free for students to ride with a valid University ID card), and check out exams (you will learn more about these types of exams during orientation).  

Pre-Entrance Health Forms

New students at the University of Virginia must file a Pre-Entrance Health Form with the University, available on the University's Student Health website. 
 
Students must complete and upload the pre-entrance health form by August 1, 2022. If your form is not received by the due date, you will be subject to a late fee of $100. This late fee will be placed on your SIS account on August 2, 2022.
 
Once data from the form has been entered into your medical record, Student Health and Wellness offers a secure website to view immunization data in case you are contacted about any deficiencies.