Incoming Student Checklist

Orientation is in-person and mandatory for all incoming students. Orientation is scheduled for August 10 to August 12 from 9am-5pm. Please note that business attire is required on Wednesday and Friday.

Any questions regarding Orientation should be directed to Lorraine Lalli, Associate Dean of Student Life & Operations. A detailed Orientation schedule will be posted here in late-July.

Click below to explore resources and supports from the Academic Excellence Program on how to prepare for law school. 

Preparing for Law School

Each spring, the Office of Admissions gathers rental listings from local landlords. We update our list of apartments in the Bristol area at least once a week from early May through the first day of Orientation. This is not an exhaustive list of your available options, but it may be a good place to start. 

Housing Information

We invite you to start learning about and connecting to your new community. 

• Check out Life@RWU or reach out to one of our Student Admissions Counselors to find out what life is really like here at RWU Law!
   
• Plan to attend upcoming Admitted Students Events or go online to Request an In-Person Tour. 
   
• Join Class of 2025 Facebook Group to connect with future classmates and ask questions.

Log on to RogerCentral to view your student profile and make changes and updates:

• Add your chosen/preferred name and pronouns 
   
• Update your emergency contact information
   
• Add your local address when available

Chosen Name Policy and Gender Pronouns
RWU Law has implemented a Chosen Name Policy to honor lived experiences, affirm gender identity, and respect the self-expression of our students, faculty, staff, and administration. If you would like more information about the policy or would like to make changes to your current student record/identification, please visit the following law school link for instructions: Adding Your Chosen Name and Pronouns in Roger Central
 

Roger Williams University requires all law students (JD and MSL) to have adequate health insurance coverage and has partnered with University Health Plans to offer a comprehensive Student Health Insurance Plan. All students are automatically enrolled in and billed for the University's Student Health Insurance Plan. Students who provide proof of adequate coverage under an existing plan by August 15 may waive the University's Student Health Insurance Plan.

Visit University Health Plans to enroll or waive coverage. Students will need their student ID number and date of birth. 

If you have questions about the University's student health insurance plan enrollment or waiver process, contact University Health Plans at (800) 437-6448 or info@univhealthplans.com. If you are having problems with your RWU student ID number, contact the Office of Student Finance & Records at (401) 254-4657.

University Health Plan Website

The ABA requires verification of an undergraduate degree as a condition of enrollment in law school. Please arrange for an official transcript from your degree-awarding institution indicating conferral of your Bachelor's degree to be sent to the Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) by August 1st. Please note that if you had not graduated before you submitted your transcript to LSAC with your application, you are required to submit a new copy indicating your graduation date.

Students who do not provide a transcript by October 15th must be withdrawn from RWU Law absent extraordinary circumstances. If you have concerns about your ability to complete this requirement, immediately contact Douglas Peterson, Director of Student Finance and Records, at (401) 254-4660.
 

All incoming law students are required to submit health forms and a current immunization record by July 15th. For the fall, the COVID vaccine is required; the booster is recommended. All information must be submitted electronically via the Health Services Student Portal in RogerCentral. Forms will not be accepted by email, fax or mail.

Students who for medical or religious reasons decline Rhode Island mandated vaccines, must complete the medical and/or religious exemption form. Upload the exemption form in the patient portal under immunization record. 

Health Services Portal

Video: Navigating the Health Services Portal

Law students must obtain an RWU student ID prior to the start of classes. The ID Office, located on the ground floor of the Commons Building, will be open during the summer and during Orientation in August. During the summer, please call or email to verify hours – (401)254-3874 or tcookinham@rwu.edu. 

Log in to the RWU Billing Site, review your fall semester bill and finalize your payment options after July 1, 2022 . Review options for Tuition Insurance coverage.

Login to RogerCentral, click on Financial Information (icon on left margin) and select Financial Aid. This will automatically bring you to the financial aid portal.

• Accept/Decline Direct Loans (if applicable)
   
• Check for any missing financial aid documentation

If you have questions about your financial aid, or how you will be able to finance your legal education, please contact our Financial Aid Counselors.

Last Name A-K: Kathryn Politano, Assistant Director of Financial Aid
Last Name L-Z: Tina Bacon, Assistant Director of Financial Aid

Financial Aid Checklist 
 

Once you are registered for your courses in mid-July, you can search for your books on the Roger Williams University Bookstore website by course number and section. You may contact the bookstore by phone at (401) 254-4592. The bookstore is located in the Lower Commons. 

Roger Williams University School of Law Bookstore

Legal Practice Course Materials - All Legal Practice sections use the same course materials. You may select any section when ordering books for this course.

Using Pending Financial Aid for Purchases - Students may use pending financial aid to purchase books and other course materials from the RWU bookstore. To use financial aid, select “FA Link” for payment. You will need your student ID number to complete your purchase. The last day to make purchases using FA Link is August 3, 2022. If you have questions about your pending financial aid or your eligibility to use FA Link, please contact Financial Aid.

Renting v. Buying - The bookstore recommends that you purchase your books (rather than rent) for all courses except Criminal Law. Rental prices displayed online are for one semester. Because most of your first year courses will run the entire first year, purchasing your books (either new or used) may be a more economical option. Please ask the bookstore staff for information.

We have partnered with AccessLex Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to legal education, to bring you MAX by AccessLex®, the free personal finance program designed exclusively for law students! 

Register at AskEDNA.AccessLex.org to:

• Access personal finance lessons, resources and tools that fit your busy schedule;
   
• Schedule free one-on-one financial coaching with Accredited Financial Counselors (AFC®); and
   
• Earn entries into annual MAX scholarship drawings of more than $300,000 by completing courses and attending live events (Savanna O’Neal, a current 2L at RWU Law, won one of the MAX scholarships in 2021 – 2022!).

Your name, email address, school, and class year are all that you need to get started. Click on the MAX by AccessLex tile and complete all eight components of the MAX 1L Course: Financial Foundations before the start of classes to meet your MAX requirement. When you’re done, be sure to schedule time with a MAX Financial Coach so that you can get your money questions answered!
 

You will receive an email in mid-July directly to your RWU email account when the courses are ready for you to complete. Students must complete training prior to Orientation.

As part of Roger Williams University School of Law’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and sexual assault prevention, all new students are required to complete two two-part, online trainings: (1) Sexual Assault Prevention for Graduate Students and (2) Diversity, Equity & Inclusion for Students. These trainings will explore key concepts related to identity, bias, power, privilege, oppression, violence prevention and will empower learners to understand the benefits of being part of a diverse, safe and inclusive community. 

Included in that email will be a unique link for you to access your Vector Solutions/EVERFI account.
 

There will be several tasks to complete in early-August. Check back and review this list on August 1. 

• Complete First Assignments for Orientation and for your fall classes 
   
• Sign up online for a 1L Orientation library tour (required) 
   
• Order your RWU Campus Parking Permit
   
• Request Academic Accommodations (if applicable)
   
• Activate your RWU Zoom Account by visiting https://rwu.zoom.us
   
• Sign up for a free membership in the RI Bar Association