Admitted Student Frequently Asked Questions
You’ve gotten through the hard part – the LSAT, waiting for your admission letter, and choosing your law school. We know you have lots of questions about next steps like housing, enrollment, financial aid, and more. Here are our top frequently asked questions from admitted students. Please don’t hesitate to email us at admiss@law.msu.edu or call (517) 432-0222 if you have questions that aren’t answered here or need clarification on anything! We are here to help however we can!
When is Orientation?
Each year, we offer an online orientation that covers logistics and College policies and procedures, as well as an in-person orientation that includes time with your 1L professors learning about the basics of the U.S. legal system to prepare you for your first semester. Both the online orientation and the in-person event are required for all students.
The online orientation will launch in early August in MSU’s Desire2Learn platform (D2L), which you’ll log into with your MSU netID.
The in-person event, called Foundations Week (beginning Tuesday, August 15), will kick off in mid-August and continue through the entire week.
When will I enroll for my first-year classes?
For your first year of law school, we enroll you in your classes. In mid-July, you’ll be able to see your section assignments online in your student portal for your doctrinal courses like Contracts, Torts and Civil Procedure. In late July or early August, your Research, Writing and Analysis section will be added to your schedule as well. You do not need to do anything to enroll besides pay your required seat deposit(s). You’ll get an email from us when the section assignments are done so you know when to look in the portal. There are three 1L sections, and you will automatically be enrolled into one of them. Schedules for the different sections, as well as first assignments will be posted online. Section changes are not allowed, and the schedule is subject to change.
Do I get to choose which section I’m in, or what time(s) my classes will be?
First year classes are assigned, so unfortunately we cannot honor requests for specific sections or class times.
If I need accommodations for my classes, how can I arrange those?
Michigan State University has lots of resources for students, including the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities. To begin the conversation about accommodations, please contact the Office of Student Affairs at the Law College (osa@law.msu.edu).
How will I know which books I need to buy?
Several weeks before classes begin, your professors will post their first assignments for you on our First Assignments web page. You will likely have homework (readings) due for your first class! When those assignments are posted, they’ll also let you know which books to buy. You can then choose where to buy your books. There are also opportunities to rent textbooks through the campus bookstore.
Where can I check my financial aid package?
Log into your student portal to check your aid. You’ll need your NetID to log in (your NetID is the portion of your MSU email address before the @ symbol). Set up your NetID.
Who should I talk to? (PDF)
When can I move into campus housing?
Some of that depends on where on campus you’re living. Please call or email the Admissions team and we’ll help you figure out when in August you can move into your campus residence hall or apartment!
When can I learn more about getting involved with student groups?
During the first few weeks of the semester, the College hosts our annual Student Organization Fair. This event, held on the lawn outside the College, is a great chance to connect with 2L and 3L students and learn more about the many student organizations who create our vibrant student community.