This step-by-step guide has been created to help new law students understand and navigate the processes involved in transitioning to their law school studies. Utilize this as a to do list to make your transition smooth and easy
This is your to-do list, making sure that your transition to law school is smooth and easy. Click the links below to read more about what needs to be done.
ASAP
You will need them for future reference:
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the form you need to fill out to get any financial aid from the federal government to help pay for college.
Please contact the Office of Financial Aid with any questions regarding the FAFSA or eligibility for financial aid.
Your "UBITName" is the username that you will use to log into a variety of campus services, including MyUB and HUB (to register for classes), UBmail, UBlearns, UBbox file storage and sharing and software downloads like MS Office.
After you have access to both your Person Number and UBITName, you will receive an email with your One-Time Password. (If you are a former University at Buffalo student, you will not receive a single-use password. If you don’t remember your old password, contact the UB CIT Help Desk at 716-645-3542).
Once you've receive your One-Time Password you will need to Activate Your UBITName.
See also: Student Technology Guide: Get started with your tech in six steps
If you identified as a New York State resident on your application for admission, you are required to provide residency documentation indicating you have lived in New York State for at least 12 months.
Please log into your Slate Application Portal and upload three acceptable documents from the list below by August 15. Please refer to your email for additional information regarding this important requirement.
Review additional details regarding acceptable documentation before uploading verification documents.
Note: Admitted students who identified as New York State residents, but who fail to upload acceptable residency documentation by August 15 will be charged out-of-state tuition.
April 15
To hold your seat in the entering class, please submit a non-refundable $400 tuition deposit by the date noted in your acceptance letter.
This deposit will also be your formal acceptance of any merit scholarship you may have been awarded.
May 18
All new students will receive an “Intent to Enroll” form by email from the law school's Office of Admissions by mid-May, unless admitted thereafter. Completion and submission of this form is the final step in accepting our offer of admission. Failure to submit this form will result in a forfeiture of your seat.
May 24
Deadline for new students. For more information, visit Campus Living.
May 31
June – July
The law library has created a Recommended Reading list for you! Please note, these are not mandetory reading.
July 15
All newly enrolling three-year J.D. students are required to send a final copy of their baccalaureate degree-noted transcript to the Law School Admission Council by July 15. (Access the Transcript Request Form by logging into your LSAC.org account.) Failure to submit your final, degree-noted transcript will prevent fall course registration and attendance at orientation.
If you will have completed all baccalaureate degree requirements, but your degree will not be conferred until after July 15, please notify the Office of Admissions at 716-645-2907 or by email to law-admissions@buffalo.edu immediately to request an extension. (Documentation from the degree-granting institution may be required.) If an extension is granted, you will be permitted to attend orientation and begin classes with the understanding that a final, degree-noted transcript will be received no later than October 1 per American Bar Association Standard 502(d). If you fail to submit a degree-noted transcript by October 1, you will be resigned from all courses and responsible for tuition charges.
All students must provide an official record of their measles, mumps and rubella immunity — and meet the meningitis requirements and have cleared all other holds on your record — before registering for classes. Specifically, all incoming students (undergraduate, graduate and professional) born on or after January 1, 1957 must: 1) Provide proof of immunity against measles, mumps and rubella; and 2) Receive information about meningococcal disease, and make an informed decision about whether or not to receive immunization against meningococcal disease.
To learn more and access required health forms, visit UB’s Immunization and Meningitis Requirements.
Set up your Ask EDNA! accounts and complete the free MAX 1L Financial Foundations course by July 15.
Ask EDNA! – the Education Network at AccessLex is your one-stop shop to access MAX by AccessLex®, the personal finance program for law students, as well as student success and bar success tools.
July 29
Log in to the HUB Student Center through MyUB and review the "To-Do" section. Click on the holds individually to read and affirm, contact any offices associated with holds if you have questions.
Aug. 1
VIsit UBIT's Student Technology Guide to learn more about UB's services and find tips to make our technology work for you!
Visit the Law-IT & AV Services website if you have additional questions.
First-year J.D. students will be registered for fall courses by the School of Law’s Records & Registration Office by early-August:
a) their official, baccalaureate degree-noted transcript has been received by LSAC and
b) they have met the University's immunizations requirements and have cleared all other holds on your record.
Newly transfer J.D. and LL.M. students should contact the Office of Admissions (716-645-2907 or law-admissions@buffalo.edu) to inquire about course registration.
During this period you will also receive your LAWR I assignment.
Timing is subject to change.
All new graduate and professional students must complete the Sexual Assault Prevention course, which helps promote healthy behaviors and prevent sexual assault and relationship violence. You may take this course online beginning August 1 as long as you have been registered for fall courses. (UBITName and password required.)
Have You Already Completed This Course? If you have completed this course in the past, please fill out the Help Form. A Health Promotion staff member will help to determine if you are eligible for exemption.
Your UB Card is your official University at Buffalo ID. You will be eligible for a UB Card once you have been registered for courses. The cost of the card is $23.50, which will be charged to your University Account. To avoid long lines, we recommend obtaining your UB Card prior to law school orientation.
The UB Card Office has two locations on campus. (Call in advance for hours of operation.)
North Campus
Capen Hall
1 Capen
716-645-6344
South Campus
Diefendorf Hall
1 Diefendorf
716-829-3682
The School Information Portal (SIP) is the School of Law’s official communication channel to students, where students can find much of the information needed in one spot. For that reason, you should check SIP regularly. New students will be added to SIP by early-August.
Aug. 5
Jump Start begins for Domestic Students. Your admission letter will indicate whether you are required to participate
What is the General Academic Requirements, Policies, and Code of Student Conduct (GARP)?
The GARP is our academic requirements, policies & code of student conduct provide law students with critical information regarding graduation requirements, curricular guidelines, and academic integrity. New students will be required to sign the GARP during orientation thus should review it carefully in advance.
Now you can purchase your textbooks. Note that this requires corse registration.
If you identified as a New York State resident on your application for admission, you are required to provide residency documentation indicating you have lived in New York State for at least 12 months.
Please log into your Slate Application Portal and upload three acceptable documents from the list below by August 15. Please refer to your email for additional information regarding this important requirement.
Note: Admitted students who identified as New York State residents, but who fail to upload acceptable residency documentation by August 15 will be charged out-of-state tuition.
Aug. 19
It is day 1 of Orientation Day which is mandatory for all new students. A schedule is being developed and will be announced later this summer.