YOU’VE BEEN ADMITTED TO THE 2024 ENTERING CLASS OF SEATTLE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW Congratulations! We welcome you on behalf of the faculty, staff, and entire student body.
At this stage in the decision process, you may have questions about registration, core class requirements, and the academic calendar. You will find answers to many of your questions in this packet. We will have one of our Admission Fellows contact you and act as a resource to address any additional questions. Please feel free to contact the Admission Office at 206‑398‑4200 or lawadmis@seattleu.edu.
YOU BELONG HERE
MEET SEATTLE U LAW ADMISSION FELLOWS Below is information about our Admission Fellows, current law students who work with the Admission Office as a resource for you. They are happy to answer any questions you may have about the law student experience. Feel free to reach out! THEANA AROMIN, 1L Theana (she/her) was born in Guam and moved to Washington State to attend the University of Washington, where she earned her BA in Law, Societies & Justice and American Ethnic Studies. She returned to Guam to teach at Notre Dame High School, her alma mater. Theana taught math, science, and English language arts, among other subjects. Theana is the 1L Representative for the Filipino Law Student Association and is a member of the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Board.
Email: aromint@seattleu.edu
HALLIE CONYERS-TUCKER, 2L Hallie (she/her) is originally from Denver, Colorado. She received her BA in Global Health from Colorado College. Hallie is a member of Seattle University Law Review and the ADR Board. She spent the summer of 2023 as a Calhoun Fellow where she advanced her skills and training to promote equal justice in the law. She wants to use her legal education to serve vulnerable communities and increase access to legal services. In her free time, she enjoys playing ultimate frisbee and skiing.
Email: hconyers-tucker@seattleu.edu JUSTIN GORNEY, 3L
Justin (he/him) is originally from Houston, Texas and received his BA in English from the University of North Texas. Justin is a member of the Moot Court Board, the Entertainment and Sports Law Society, and the Intellectual Property Law Society. Justin currently works with American Family Insurance Company on their litigation team. In his free time, he loves to attend pop concerts and is an avid Harry Potter fan.
Email: jgorney@seattleu.edu AURORA OCEGUERA, 1L
Aurora (she/her) is from Santa Ana, California and earned her BA in Political Science from Oregon State University. Before law school, she worked with underrepresented communities through the Northwest Justice Project, providing legal assistance in various areas of law. This experience inspired her law school journey. She is a First-Year Fellow with the Access to Justice Institute and serves as the 1L Representative to the Outlaws student organization.
Email: aoceguera@seattleu.edu ZULEN PANTOJA-ORTEGA, 3L
Zulen (she/her) is from Mount Vernon, Washington and received her BA in Law Societies & Justice from the University of Washington. Zulen is part of the ADR Board, the Moot Court Board, and serves on the Student Bar Association as the Graduate Student Council Representative. She has worked at Columbia Legal Services as an advocacy intern and a Laurel Rubin Farmworker Justice intern. Zulen hopes to use her legal education to continue to serve her community.
Email: zpantoja-ortega@seattleu.edu TIANA PEREIRA, 3L
Tiana (she/her) was born and raised on the island of O‘ahu, Hawai‘i. She attended Gonzaga University and received a BA in Psychology and Criminal Justice with a minor in Sociology. She serves as the Secretary of the Moot Court Board, the Social Chair for the ADR Board, the YEAP intern with the Access to Justice Institute, and the President of the Pacific Islander Law Student Association. Tiana is passionate about juvenile justice and hopes to pursue a career in public defense.
Email: tpereira@seattleu.edu
KEEP IN TOUCH! We’re available to welcome you and answer your questions. Admission and Student Financial Services staff are happy to meet with you in-person or via phone or Zoom at your convenience. You will soon receive an SU student email address. The majority of our communication occurs via email. Your SU student email keeps you in contact with all School of Law departments.
ENROLLMENT CHECKLIST ¡ CONTACT INFORMATION UPDATE
Please contact us to update your email address and/or mailing address if needed. Be sure to check your spam or junk mail filter to ensure that you don’t miss any important communications from us. Send updates to lawadmis@seattleu.edu.
¡ SU STUDENT EMAIL ACCOUNT
To keep you in contact with all law school departments and to pay your seat deposit online, we will provide you with a SU student email account. Watch your personal email for activation instructions and make a habit of checking your SU email frequently!
¡ COMPLETE FINANCIAL AID DOCUMENTS
Carefully review the Financial Aid Checklist on the next page. Your Social Security Number is required for financial aid purposes. If you did not provide it to the Admission Office on your JD application, contact Student Financial Services at 206-3984250 with your information to avoid delay.
¡ SUBMIT SEAT DEPOSIT
A non-refundable $300 deposit is required to reserve your seat in the 2024 entering class (please see your admission letter for your deposit deadline). If you are starting in the fall, a second $300 deposit is due June 1, 2024. Online payment information will follow soon.
¡ LAPTOP COMPUTER REQUIREMENT
All students are required to have a laptop computer. Visit our website for laptop specifications and financial aid options. Note that tablets and Chromebooks do not meet the necessary specifications. law.seattleu.edu/computing-information
¡ RESEARCH HEALTH INSURANCE OPTIONS Students are strongly encouraged to maintain health insurance during law school. Visit our website for the SU Student Insurance plan options. law.seattleu.edu/student-insurance
¡ OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED
All students must provide a final, official undergraduate transcript prior to enrollment. The transcript must reflect the conferral of your bachelor’s degree. Transcripts submitted with your law school application may not satisfy this ABA requirement. If not, your undergraduate Registrar must send transcripts directly to the Admission Office. Graduate school transcripts are not necessary.
¡ CAMPUS CARD ID
Once registered for classes, you must obtain a Campus Card ID for access to university facilities and services. Details to follow via your SU student email. Visit the SU website for details. seattleu.edu/its/access/campus-card
¡ ORCA TRANSIT & PARKING PASSES
The Department of Campus Public Safety & Transportation provides parking passes and subsidized ORCA transit passes. Visit the SU website for details. Carpools for those commuting to campus can be arranged via Seattle Metro Transit. seattleu.edu/transportation
¡ RESEARCH TEXTBOOKS & PURCHASE OPTIONS Prior to the beginning of classes, the Admission Office will provide a list of required textbooks with your registration confirmation and section assignment. You can review textbook availability and purchase/rental options on the SU Campus Store website. seattleu.edu/campus-store
¡ RESOURCES FOR VETERANS
Seattle U Law is committed to providing educational and professional opportunities for veterans. Visit our website for details about VA benefits, career services, and resources for veterans and their families. law.seattleu.edu/veteran-benefits
¡ CHARACTER & FITNESS DISCLOSURES
In addition to a bar examination, there are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction. Applicants are encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners, http://www.ncbex.org. Note that any new incidents of criminal charges, convictions, or allegations of academic misconduct that occur after the submission of the law school application must be reported to the law school immediately.
¡ NOTICE TO STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
It is the policy of Seattle University that no qualified person shall, on the basis of disability, be excluded from participation, denied benefit of, or be subject to discrimination in any job, facility, program or activity provided by the University. The law school will evaluate all requests to make reasonable accommodations in the law school facilities, programs, policies, services, and activities to ensure equal opportunity for qualified individuals with disabilities. Accommodations are determined on a case-by-case basis, documentation is required.
Contact amentkowski@seattleu.edu after May 15, 2024, with the subject line: “New Admitted Student Accommodations”.
FINANCIAL AID CHECKLIST ¡ OFFER LETTER
Your financial aid Offer Letter, which outlines your financial aid package, will be sent via your SU email approximately three weeks after your admission (but no earlier than mid-March). Note that you must complete your FAFSA form online along with any other requested information in order to receive your Offer Letter. Instructions on how to accept, reject or amend your financial aid package will be included with the Offer Letter.
¡ FEDERAL DIRECT UNSUBSIDIZED STAFFORD LOAN MASTER PROMISSORY NOTE
Unless you previously signed a Master Promissory Note at a Direct Lending school, complete the Stafford Loan Promissory Note online at https://studentaid.gov (choose Complete Loan Agreement for a Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan). The Stafford Unsubsidized Loan is disbursed in equal amounts each semester, but tuition charges may vary from term to term. Budget carefully!
¡ ENTRANCE COUNSELING
Complete Entrance Counseling documentation at https://studentaid.gov (click on Entrance Counseling) for Stafford and Grad PLUS loans.
¡ OTHER FORMS
Submit verification forms or any other documentation as requested by our office. Disclose any outside scholarships or funding assistance you receive.
¡ ALTERNATIVE LOANS
Apply for an alternative loan (federal Grad PLUS or private loan) if eligible and additional funding is necessary. A credit check is required. Equal disbursements will be made in the fall and spring unless requested otherwise in writing and approved. If you choose Grad PLUS, complete the PLUS request process, promissory note, and entrance counseling at https://studentaid.gov.
¡ LAPTOP COMPUTER
Laptops are required by the law school. If you need to purchase a laptop, you must buy it first and keep your receipt and proof of payment by you, the student. After authorization by Student Financial Services, you may apply for an alternative, creditbased loan to reimburse yourself up to the cost of the computer, or $1,450, whichever is less. You must pass a credit check to receive this loan.
¡ FUNDING
You must complete the registration/validation process each term and attend class. Financial aid pays institutional charges first. Refunds for living expenses are usually available shortly after the term begins, if you have completed all necessary paperwork in a timely manner. However, always be prepared to pay for books and expenses yourself the first few weeks of each term.
¡ ACCESSLEX INSTITUTE
The AccessLex Institute offers free, broad-based access to financial information and tools to educate law students about the economic realities of law school. We encourage all of our students to engage with AccessLex from the very start of their law school careers to become knowledgeable about educational debt, personal finance management, and more. http://accesslex.org
MORE INFORMATION: Please contact Student Financial Services if you have any questions, need more information, or would like a one-on-one appointment. We are happy to help you with this process. STUDENT FINANCIAL SERVICES: 206-398-4250 • lawfa@seattleu.edu • law.seattleu.edu/financialservices
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS We have over 45 student organizations at the School of Law, in addition to six co-curricular law journals and groups: All Mixed-Up Law Caucus
LatinX Law Student Association
Alternative Dispute Resolution Board
Middle Eastern/South Asian Law Student Association
American Constitution Society
Moot Court Board
American Indian Law Journal
National Lawyers Guild
Artificial Intelligence Law Society
Native American Law Student Association
Asian Law Students Association
Non-Binary, Gender Non-Conforming & Allies Student Association
Aviation and Space Law Society Black Law Students Association Business & Entrepreneurship Law Association Disability Justice Collective Entertainment & Sports Law Association Environmental Law Society Family Law Society Federalist Society Filipino Law Students Association Future Prosecutors for Social Justice Health Law Society
OutLaws Pacific Islander Law Student Association Phi Alpha Delta Plaintiffs’ Law Association Privacy Law Student Association Property and Tax Law Society Public Interest Law Foundation Real Estate Law Association Seattle Journal for Social Justice Seattle Journal of Technology, Environmental, & Innovation Law Seattle University Law Review
If/When/How - Lawyering for Reproductive Justice
Seattle University Post-Conviction Appellate Alliance
Incarcerated Mothers Advocacy Project
Seattle University Federal Bar Association
Intellectual Property Law Society
Student Animal Legal Defense Fund
International & Immigrant Student Association
Technology, Media, and Telecommunications Law Association
International Law Society
Undocumented Law Student Association
International Refugee Assistance Project
Veterans Law Society
Jewish Law Students Association
Womxn of Color Coalition
Justice in Employment and Labor Law Organization
Womxn’s Law Caucus
ACADEMIC CALENDAR 2024–2025 SUMMER SEMESTER Criminal Law Sections A & E Begin..................................................................................... June 24 Independence Day (no classes, offices closed)................................................................ July 4-5 Last Day to Withdraw from Criminal Law............................................................................ July 12 Last Class Day for Upper Division Courses........................................................................July 25 Final Examinations for Upper Division Courses......................................................... July 29-31 Last Class Day for Criminal Law & Flex JD Courses................................................... August 1 Final Examinations for Criminal Law & Flex JD Courses......................................August 5-7 Summer Degree Date............................................................................................................August 23 Grades Due from Professors..............................................................................................August 29 Grades Will Post by.......................................................................................................... September 3
FALL SEMESTER New Student Orientation...............................................................................................August 19-23 Flex JD Orientation/In-Person Weekend...............................................................August 22-24 Classes Begin............................................................................................................................August 26 Last Day to Add or Drop Courses...................................................................................August 30 Labor Day (no classes, offices closed)....................................................................... September 2 Last Day for Late Registration................................................................................... September 13 Constitution Day Presentation (no class cancellations)...................................September 17 Last Day to Withdraw from Courses...................................................................... September 27 Mass of the Holy Spirit (no classes before 1:30 p.m.)............................................... October 3 Flex JD In-person Weekend...........................................................................................October 5-6 Veterans Day (no classes, offices closed)..................................................................November 11 Thanksgiving Recess (no classes after 1pm, offices close at 1 pm).................November 27 Thanksgiving Recess (no classes, offices closed)......................................November 28 & 29 Last Class Day...................................................................................................................... December 5 Flex JD In-person Weekend....................................................................................... December 7-8 Final Examinations................................................................................................... December 10–20 December Commencement..........................................................................................December 21 Semester Break (no classes)..................................................................December 23–January 5 Grades Due from Professors.............................................................................................January 10 Grades Will Post by............................................................................................................... January 15
SPRING SEMESTER Classes Begin........................................................................................................................... January 13 Last Day to Add or Drop Courses................................................................................... January 17 Martin Luther King Jr. Day (no classes, offices closed)...........................................January 20 Last Day for Late Registration.......................................................................................... January 31 Last Day to Withdraw from Courses............................................................................February 14 Flex JD In-person Weekend.......................................................................................February 15-16 Presidents Day (no classes, offices closed).................................................................February 17 Spring Break (no classes).................................................................................................March 17–21 Racial Equity Summit (no classes before 1:30 p.m.)........................................................April 10 Good Friday (no classes, offices closed).............................................................................. April 18 Flex JD In-person Weekend............................................................................................. April 26-27 Last Class Day.................................................................................................................................... May 1 Final Examinations.................................................................................................................... May 6-16 Spring Commencement...............................................................................................................May 17 Grades Due from Professors...................................................................................................... June 1 Grades Will Post by.......................................................................................................................June 6
VISITING SULLIVAN HALL We warmly welcome you to the School of Law! All new students are invited to attend our special events designed to acquaint you with our vibrant community. In March, our Meet the Faculty events will feature some of our renowned faculty who will take your questions about life as a law student. Our Spring Visit Day is scheduled for Saturday, April 6. This popular event includes a welcome from Dean Anthony E. Varona, a current student panel, and information about the many resources and services that will support you during your law school career. More open house events will be announced later in the spring and early summer. Check your SU student email for more information.
FIRST-YEAR START DATES For those planning to start law school this summer, classes begin on Monday, June 24, 2024. Fall orientation for all new students will take place the week of August 19, and the fall semester begins Monday, August 26, 2024. Note that the Registrar’s Office will complete your class registration for you, but the Registrar will send you a notice via email to confirm your registration before classes begin. See the Academic Calendar on this page for other important dates and deadlines.
SEAT DEPOSIT REMINDER Remember your $300 seat deposit to ensure your place in the 2024 incoming class must be submitted by the deadline indicated in your admission letter. The tuition deposit is non-refundable. Should you enroll at Seattle U Law, the deposit will be applied to your first semester’s tuition. A second $300 deposit will be required by June 1, 2024 for students beginning fall semester.
HOW TO REACH US Seattle University School of Law 901 12th Avenue, Sullivan Hall P.O. Box 222000 Seattle, WA 98122-1090 ADMISSION
206-398-4200 phone 206-398-4058 fax lawadmis@seattleu.edu law.seattleu.edu/admission STUDENT FINANCIAL SERVICES
206-398-4250 phone 206-398-4058 fax lawfa@seattleu.edu law.seattleu.edu/financialservices CONNECT WITH OUR STUDENTS AND THE LAW SCHOOL:
@seattleu.law law.seattleu.edu/admission
AT T H E H E A R T O F L AW
Seattle University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, political ideology or status as a Vietnam-era or special disabled veteran in the administration of any of its education policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletics, and other school-administered policies and programs, or in its employment related policies and practices. In addition, the University does not discriminate on the basis of genetic information or status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking in its employment related policies and practices, including coverage under its health benefits program. All University policies, practices and procedures are administered in a manner consistent with Seattle University’s Catholic and Jesuit identity and character. Inquiries relating to these policies may be referred to the University’s Interim Assistant Vice President for Institutional Equity/Title IX Coordinator at 206-220-8515 or jmoffitt@seattleu.edu. Consistent with the requirements of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and its implementing regulations, Seattle University has designated individuals responsible for coordinating the University’s Title IX compliance. Students or employees with concerns or complaints about discrimination on the basis of sex in employment or an education program or activity may contact the following Title IX coordinator or Title IX contact persons: Jill Moffitt, Interim Assistant Vice President for Institutional Equity, Title IX Coordinator | ADA/504 Coordinator, 206-220-8515, jmoffitt@seattleu.edu; Alvin A. Sturdivant, Ed.D., Vice President for Student Development, STCN 140B, 206-296-6066, sturdial@seattleu.edu; Michelle Clements, Vice President for Human Resources, RINA 214, 206-296-5869, clementsm@seattleu.edu. Individuals may also contact the Office for Civil Rights of the U.S. Department of Education. To learn more information about Seattle University’s policies, please visit seattleu.edu/policies.