Admitted Student Useful Information

Our academic year runs from mid-August to mid-May. Students have several breaks including Fall Break, Thanksgiving Break, Winter Break, Mardi Gras Break, and Spring Break. Our Fall 2023 and Spring 2024 calendars are now available. 

 

Fall 2023

Spring 2024

Tulane Law graduates are a valuable resource to the school, and you should have many opportunities to meet some of them while you are here and, in some cases, before you arrive on campus. Alumni chapters exist in many cities throughout the United States and internationally, and these groups can provide valuable networking opportunities for you as you decide in which direction to take your career. Through our Career Development Office, many alumni have volunteered to work with our students on their job searches throughout the United States and abroad. Several programs including our Sports Law and Environmental Law programs also have formal alumni mentor pairing programs. Tulane alumni can be found in all the countries marked in green below:

 

 

In addition, between one and four Tulane Law School alumni live in each of the following countries: Afghanistan, Albania, Angola, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bermuda, Bulgaria, Burma, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, French Polynesia, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Kenya, Kuwait, Latvia, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Malawi, Malaysia, Morocco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Senegal, Swaziland, Sweden, Syria, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, and the former Yugoslavia. 

 

 

 

Among the questions most asked by prospective students are ones concerning the career-related assistance offered at Tulane. Below, we have included information about the resources the Career Development Office (CDO) provides. In addition, information about our students’ and graduates’ employment is provided.

The CDO is overseen by Assistant Dean of Career Development, Vanessa Beary, and has four additional career counselors and one support staff member. Each career counselor functions as a liaison to several of the Law School’s many student organizations, working throughout the year on programming (workshops, panels, and discussion groups) to help educate students about different practice areas and about the job search and career development processes—the hows and whys of deciding what kind of job to search for and how to go about it.

The CDO works hard to create networking opportunities for students. It engages in substantial employer development activities, to bring Tulane Law School students to the attention of employers nationwide and to promote Tulane Law School as a place where employers can find bright and hard-working lawyers.

The orientation programs for both JD and LLM students will include information on career development. In September students will attend mandatory workshops on the career development process. Beginning October 1, JD students may meet on an individual basis with career counselors.

We encourage you to talk with the CDO about career development activities at Tulane. The CDO maintains regular business hours Monday through Thursday from 8:30 am - 5:00 pm and Friday from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm. To arrange a visit to the CDO prior to your enrollment and/or to meet one of the career counselors, please contact the Office of Admission, which will contact the CDO on your behalf.

Career Development Staff (CDO) , Facility, Resources, and Programs

Over 100 employers typically participate in Tulane recruitment programs in New Orleans and in other cities where we hold interview programs.

In 2021, over 1,700 job interviews were coordinated for Tulane law students by the CDO. This does not include hundreds of other employers that post positions through Tulane’s Career Development Office and request our students’ resumes, or that interview our students through other programs. Last year, over 5,200 job listings were posted on Tulane’s internal job bank.

For international LLM students: Tulane is one of a small number of law schools whose students are invited to participate in the International Student Interview Program (ISIP) in New York City each year.

Four Career Counselors – Every first-year JD student and every LLM student is assigned a career counselor; thereafter, students consult with the originally assigned counselor or another counselor with a particular area of expertise.

 

Practice Area-Specific Job Fairs

• Equal Justice Works Conference & Career Fair
• Chicago Patent Law Interview Program
• Southeast Intellectual Property Job Fair

 

Off Campus Diversity Job Fairs 

The CDO also provides access to diversity fellowships and job opportunities. Additionally, the CDO plans and promotes career related diversity panels, workshops, and events throughout the year. For more information, please contact Assistant Dean Lezlie A. Griffin at lgriffi3@tulane.edu.

Tulane Law students are eligible to participate in several diversity job fairs and interview programs that take place across the country, including: 

• Bay Area Diversity Career Fair
• Delaware Minority Job Fair 
• Hispanic National Bar Association Convention & Career Fair
• National LGBT Bar Association Lavender Law Conference & Career Fair 
• National Black Prosecutors Association Annual Job Fair 
• Southeastern Minority Job Fair 
• Sunbelt Minority Recruitment Program

The CDO coordinator manages extensive job listings and other resources.

The CDO is located in Suite 203 on the second floor of the Law School and includes a reception area, interview rooms, career resources, and computer stations for student job search use.

Students may use the fax machine, copy machine, and interview room for job-search related activities.

Resources available include career counseling, mock interviews, workshops, panels and speaker series, and networking opportunities.

Class Schedules

Your class schedule for your first semester will be provided to you during Orientation. Below is a list of first-year courses and the number of credit hours earned:

* Legal Research & Writing is a year-long course for a total of 4 credit hours **Note that for the 2020-2021, 2021-2022, and 2022-2023 school years, Criminal Law was moved to the Spring Semester in order to reduce the number of classrooms needed to enable appropriate social distancing and minimize any potential impacts of COVID-19 and hurricane season for 1L students during the first semester of law school. It is probable that Criminal Law will remain in the Spring Semester for the 2023-2024 school year, and we will update this information as soon as a decision has been finalized.

What Current Students Say

Students estimate that they spend anywhere from one to three hours preparing for class and/or going over what happened in class for each in-class hour. In addition, many successful students treat their job searches as a 5th (or 6th) course, devoting, on average, at least two or three hours each week to career-related activities.

Students report that law school provides not only in-depth training in legal reasoning but also teaches time management. Most students feel that if they keep up to date on their readings and outlines, they are comfortable taking time off during breaks and holidays. That being said, most students find the Thanksgiving and spring breaks to be a good time to study.

Text Books

Text books should not be purchased until the week of Orientation, even though you will be registered for courses before then. Each section of each course has different required textbooks. Typically, we find it necessary to move students among the sections up to the last minute to ensure that sections are appropriately balanced, so you should not consider your schedule to be finalized until the first day of Orientation.

Intersession

Each January, a week before spring semester classes start, we offer a week-long Intersession for upper-level students, during which intensive skills training experiences are offered.  Three tracks are offered:  Transactional Boot Camp, Pretrial Civil Litigation Boot Camp, and Pretrial Criminal Litigation Boot Camp. Each course carries 1 credit and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 10 to 1. 1L students without a business-subject related minor or major also have the option of participating in our Introduction to Business Literacy Intersessionprogram. All classes are taught by an excellent slate of practitioners from both our local legal community and around the country. Students who participate in the optional Intersession Program signal to future employers their readiness for practice, and employers view these courses as part of Tulane's commitment to provide students the skills employers value.

Credits, Semesters in Residence, and Required Courses

JD candidates must complete satisfactorily a minimum of 88 credits of law coursework and be in residence for six full-time (fall and spring) semesters. (If you are enrolled in a joint-degree program or are enrolling with advanced standing, this part of the requirement is altered, since we will grant you credit for a specified amount of coursework completed in another division of Tulane University or, in the case of transfer students, at another law school.) We permit JD students to take up to six credits in the summer program of another approved law school (and no more than twelve credits in summer school generally). Attendance at summer school does not alter the six-semester residency requirement. Students who are given permission to spend one semester in an approved international exchange program may be able to transfer up to 14 credits toward the Tulane law degree. Other than in the summer, only in cases of extraordinary hardship are students permitted to visit at other law schools.

Students must complete all of the required first-year courses (Contracts I, Civil Procedure, Criminal Law, Torts, Constitutional Law I, Legal Research & Writing, Common Law Property or Civil Law Property, Contracts II or Obligations I) and, after the first year, the course entitled Legal Profession. There are a total of 9 required courses, totaling 32 credits (29 in the first year).

Grade Point Average, Pro Bono, and Professional Skills Requirements, Financial Obligations, and Faculty Recommendation 

Candidates for the JD must achieve a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher in Tulane law courses, with no more than a prescribed number of grades below C. In addition, all candidates for the JD must complete 50 hours of approved pro bono work (you will receive more details about this requirement from our Pro Bono office after you are enrolled), the upper-class writing requirement, and the professional skills requirement. All financial obligations to the Law School and the University must be fulfilled prior to graduation, and you must be recommended for the degree by the faculty of the Law School.

Upperclass Writing Requirement and Professional Skills Requirement

 

Each JD candidate must complete at least one rigorous writing experience after the first year. (This is in addition to the first-year Legal Research & Writing course.) The requirement takes the form of a substantial writing project under the supervision of a faculty member within the context of a course, seminar, directed research project, law journal, or moot court competition. As you consider your upper-level course options at the end of your first year, the Office of Academic Affairs will provide more information about the ways in which you can fulfill this writing requirement.

We also have a six credit minimum professional skills requirement. This requirement can be met in a variety of ways, including participating in simulation courses, externship field placements, and live-client clinics. Our Office of Experiential Learning assists students with completing the professional skills requirement.

Tulane Email Accounts

Admitted students will be assigned a Tulane email account as they are entered into the Tulane student database over the course of the summer. Once you have received your email account, you will want to check it regularly as you will begin receiving mail from the University. We will send you more information about your Tulane email account in the coming months. Your Tulane email account information also allows you to log into Gibson Online.

 

Gibson Online

Through the Gibson Online portal, you can view your class schedules and registration, access your Tulane email, check your financial aid information, and pay your tuition bills, among other things. Gibson Online also give you immediate access to Tulane University event calendars, services, and resources, so you can stay more easily connected with the University outside the walls of the Law School.

 

Tulane Law School Intranet

When you arrive for the first day of orientation, you will receive information on accessing the Tulane Law School network and Intranet. The TLS Intranet is the law school's internal information source, which you should check daily. In addition to access to academic calendars, course assignments, and class cancellations, all Law School announcements are posted on the Intranet.

 

Wireless Network

Tulane's wireless network operates on the 802.11 a/b/g/n standard; the network reaches all rooms and courtyards of the Law School and expands throughout the entire Tulane University campus. The library's 295 study carrels provide both electrical outlets and network access, and all large classrooms at Weinmann Hall have electrical outlets at each seat to supply power to notebook computers.

 

Buying a Computer

We do not require that our students own laptop computers, but almost all of our students do, and the rest of our students report that they own desktop computers. We do encourage our students to purchase a laptop or notebook computer late in the summer before starting law school (or just after starting law school) if they do not already own one. Students use notebook computers on campus to take notes, engage in legal research, check e-mail, and work on class assignments. Students can also take many exams on their own notebook computers instead of writing them by hand, and if you are interested in taking advantage of this opportunity, you will need your own notebook computer. Unfortunately, we do not have “loaner” computers available.

Because our technology staff has a great deal of experience supporting Windows-based computers and less experience supporting Apple/Macintosh computers, we encourage the purchase of a Windows-based notebook computer. However, we do permit the use of Apple/Macintosh notebooks on campus, so long as students understand the limitations of our ability to support these computers. Tulane Technology Connection (see below) offers authorized repair services for both Apple and Dell.

Computer prices and features are constantly changing. If you are considering purchasing a new computer for law school, we advise you to wait as late as possible before you make your purchase. This will ensure that you get the most system for your money—a system which will best serve you through your three years at law school.

Late in the spring, we will post recommended hardware specifications for notebook and desktop computers, as well as information about any package pricing which may be available. If you wish to talk with a member of our support staff before making a purchase, please feel free to call our Computer HelpDesk at 504-862-8666 or lawhelpdesk@tulane.edu. 

 

Buying Software

If you purchase a new computer which does not come bundled with word processing and other software, we recommend that you wait until you arrive at Tulane to purchase it, as software may be licensed at special academic pricing through the University’s Technology Services group. The Law School has standardized on Microsoft Word. The use of a home-oriented program such as Microsoft Works is discouraged. The on-campus computer store, Tulane Technology Connection, can also assist with purchasing software and other technology.

 

On-Campus Hardware, Network, and Software

The school's computer lab, located on the 4th floor of the law library, is equipped with Windows PCs. Each computer is networked to a high-speed laser printer and provides backup via USB drive or rewritable optical disk (CD or DVD). Additional computers are available to students working with the Moot Court Board, the Law Clinic, the various journals (Tulane Law Review, Tulane Maritime Law Journal, etc.), and student organizations. Our Career Development Office also has computers available for students engaging in job search activities.

The law school network provides access to printing and server-based files. Students have access to the Microsoft Office suite, including Word, Access, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Each student is provided with an email address which is used by the University, including the Law School, to communicate essential information to all students.

 

Staff Support

Our computer support staff consists of three professionals. In addition to administering the law school network and providing administrative computing support, they are also available to provide our students with assistance in the use of law school computers and software.

 

Tulane Technology Connection

Tulane University's on-campus technology store is located in the Lavin-Bernick Center, in Suite 104. Prospective purchasers can ask questions, test, and purchase products from Apple, Dell, Lenovo, Microsoft, Adobe, SAS, and SPSS. The store also stocks accessories from many manufacturers. Tulane Technology Connection 504-832-8059 or 877-623-0023 techconnect@tulane.edu.

 

Don't be shy!

          We'll be there for you and can't wait to be your  F · R · I · E · N · D · S  :)

 

General Questions? 

Julia and Emily are good places to start. You can email them directly at jmarti41@tulane.edu and ewojna@tulane.edu. You can also use the scheduling tool in the menu to schedule an individual Zoom counseling session.

 

Financial Aid Questions?

Our financial aid counselors can reached via email at lawfinancialaid@tulane.edu lawfinancialaid@tulane.edu Our Associate Director of Financial Aid, Sheila Bauer, can assist students with their FAFSA and provide counseling sessions about financing your legal education with loans. Feel free to e-mail them directly to set up a phone call or Zoom session. If you have questions about scholarship awards, please reach out to Emily or Julia instead.

 

LLM, Visa, or other International Student Questions?

Reach out to Maria Landry at mgusmaop@tulane.edu or use her Calendly link to set up a time to Zoom: https://calendly.com/mlandry-schedule-a-meeting/30min. 

 

Diversity Initiatives or Support Questions?

The Law School's Assistant Dean of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives, Tracie Ransom, oversees the law school's diversity initiatives, relevant student organizations, and programming. You may also hear from Morgan Jackson, our Senior Program Coordinator (and TLS alumna). Feel free to e-mail either to set up a time to chat at transom1@tulane.edu or mjacks8@tulane.edu.

 

Learning or Academic Accommodation Questions?

The Law School's Assistant Dean of Students, Abigail Gaunt, assists law students seeking academic accommodations. Dean Gaunt can be e-mailed at agaunt1@tulane.edu. 

 

Veterans and Military Support and Benefits Questions?

Please reach out to the University's Veteran Affairs Coordinator: Belinda Ramie at bramie@tulane.edu. 

 

Student Health Insurance or Immunization Questions?

Questions about your personal health records should be directed towards the Student Health and Wellness Center. The Health Center's phone number is 504-865-5255. The Health Insurance Office can be reached at 504-865-5256 (Menu Option 1).

 

Campus Parking Questions?

The Tulane Student Parking Pass and Loyola Community Parking Pass (if available) typically do not go on sale until the first week of August. Campus Services can be reached by phone at 504-865-5441. or by e-mail at parking@tulane.edu. Additional information about parking can be viewed on the Campus Services website here: https://campusservices.tulane.edu/departments/parking.

The figures below reflect the cost of attendance for the 2022-2023 academic year. Final figures for the 2023-2024 academic year will be available before April 2023. Visiting students attending for only one semester will be billed for one-half of the tuition and fees shown here. 

2022-2023 Cost of Attendance

*The subtotal for tuition and fees does not include the $1,500 fee for those international LLM students taking the mandatory introduction to the Law of the United States course nor the $1,050 fee associated with the summer ESL course.

 

Tuition and Mandatory Fees

One-half of the total tuition and fees for the academic year is billed at the beginning of each semester. The first bill will be sent out after you have enrolled and begun classes. Your commitment deposit, which is not refundable, will be credited to your fall semester bill. Each semester of enrollment results in a charge for tuition and fees, billed for every semester in which a student enrolls. In addition to tuition, full-time students are assessed mandatory fees as described below.

 

Academic Support Services Fee

This fee entitles students to use the supplemental services of the university main library. It also covers certain computer services and data and voice hookups, the Education Resources and Counseling Center, and other academic support services.

 

Reily Recreation Center and Student Activity Fees

The student body at Tulane assesses itself a Student Activity Fee to support its activities. The fee entitles students to participate in or attend supported activities, receive a weekly student newspaper, and receive admission to many intercollegiate athletic events and lectures. By virtue of the Reily Recreation Center fee, full-time students become members of the Reily Center. 

 

Student Health Fee

 The Student Health Fee provides students on all Tulane campuses with primary care at the Student Health Center. It also supports health education programs, drug and alcohol counseling, and the Tulane Emergency Medical Service.

 

Paying Your Bill

The University generates one billing statement for each student during the first week of each month. The initial billing statement for a new student enrolling in the fall semester is generated in August or early in September and will include the fall semester portion of tuition and fees. The commitment deposit is credited toward the first semester's tuition and fees. Bills must be paid in full within 30 days of the closing date in order to avoid finance charges; the actual due date will appear on the billing statement itself.

Each Tulane Law student will be assigned a Tulane e-mail account. Initially, the University will send the billing statement only to your Tulane e-mail account, but you will be able to provide additional e-mail addresses to which statements should be sent after you arrive on campus as well as grant permission for others to view and pay your statement. To avoid penalties for late payments, be sure to check your university e-mail account for the initial billing statement. Your Tulane e-mail account will also give you access to the Accounts Receivable online billing system. You will be able to view your recent account activity and statements. You may drop by the Accounts Receivable Office in Suite 103 of Phelps Hall to pick up copies of account statements at any time.

Students may choose to charge certain non-tuition expenses to their accounts, such as Tulane bookstore purchases. Generally speaking, educational loan proceeds are credited electronically to student accounts after classes begin.

Students may pay their Tulane University bills by cash or check in US funds or by credit card. The University has made arrangements with an outside vendor for students who wish to use credit cards to pay all or part of their tuition and fees. The vendor does charge a fee for this service. In addition, Tulane University has partnered with Tuition Management Systems as an education payment partner providing monthly payment plans.

While students may pay their university bills in installments on their own over the course of the semester, the University will assess a finance charge on any balance that remains after the first 30 days. The annual percentage rate is 18%. Additionally, the University will block any student who has an unpaid university account balance at the close of the current semester from registering for subsequent semesters.

Beginning law school is a big change not only for new law students but for their families and partners as well. For the law student, the law school experience can be both exciting and stressful. Although Tulane has a more congenial atmosphere than many schools, most students will still experience self-inflicted pressure to perform well. Law school demands a critical and analytical style of thinking, which can carry over into students’ personal interactions, sometimes making them seem more argumentative, even in routine conversations. As a result, partners may find it stressful to live with a law student, on top of the challenges of moving to a new city and looking for a job.

While not all changes and stressors can be planned for, it is important for families and couples to sit down together and talk about the difficult topics – moving, finances, housekeeping, childcare, and the like — in advance.

The orientation program for JD students includes a session for couples, moderated by the Law School Dean of Students. Several current law students and their partners share their experiences and offer advice for facing the challenges ahead. This is also an excellent venue for asking questions.

 

Jobs in New Orleans

For partners of law school students looking for jobs, the following are some portals to get started: 

Tulane University is also a large employer for those living in New Orleans. Search for university positions on Tulane’s website: http://tulane.edu/jobs/.

 

Schools 

If you have school-age children, there are a number of on-line resources to introduce you to both public and private schools. The New Orleans public school system has undergone dramatic and positive changes over the past fifteen years following hurricane Katrina. Instead of traditional public school districts based on location, within Orleans Parish you will find charter schools which, in New Orleans, means that there is more site-based management and more innovation than in most other parts of the country. The three public charter schools closest to the Tulane campus are The Willow School (K through 12, formerly "Lusher Charter"  https://www.willowschoolnola.org/, Audubon Charter School (PK3 through 8, www.auduboncharter.com), and Lycee Francais (PK2 through 12, https://www.lfno.org/).

There are also a number of private options near the Tulane campus:

• New Orleans Schools – https://nolapublicschools.com/
• Independent (private) Schools – www.isasneworleans.org
• Parochial Schools – www.arch-no.org/  

For nursery and pre-schools, see the section on Child Care and Preschools below. If you have questions about schools in the area, please feel free to contact the Office of Admission.

 

Child Care and Preschools

The following is a list of child care options near the Tulane Uptown campus. The list is by no means exhaustive, and there are many others in New Orleans:

• Newcomb Children’s Center – https://campusservices.tulane.edu/departments/newcomb-childrens-center
• University Montessori School – www.umsnola.org
• Audubon Primary Academy – www.audubonprimaryacademy.com
• Academy of the Sacred Heart – www.ashrosary.org
• Child Development Program – https://www.cdpkid.net/
• Jewish Community Center – www.nojcc.org
• The Department of Social Services – Care Facilities web site at www.carefacility.dss.louisiana.gov allows you to search for facilities by zip code.

Financial Aid 

The Office of Financial Aid is available to help you find the best way of financing your law school education. You can contact the Law School Financial Aid counselors at any point with questions or concerns. The Office of Financial Aid maintains open counseling hours 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The financial aid officers can be reached by email at finaid@law.tulane.edu. 

For students who are U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens, the 2021 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) became available on October 1, 2022. Click the button below to be forwarded to the FAFSA webpage. By April the Office of Financial Aid will contact admitted students who have completed the FAFSA with a tentative award letter.

 

 

Important Financial Aid Documents

• Introduction to Financial Aid 
• Loan Checklist 
• Cost of Attendance 
• Financial Aid Alert
• Financial Aid Questions and Answers  
• Budget Worksheet
• Accepting Your Award on Gibson Online
• Loan Record Form

Smart Borrowing Strategies - July 16th Webinar and Handouts

• National Financial Aid expert, Jeff Hanson, and Tulane Law Associate Director of Financial Aid, Sheila Bauer, discuss helpful borrowing strategies for new students. Use this link to view the session: https://tulane.zoom.us/rec/share/WvLGNhlnpq0Fr_romT5K8YdGCjEV6JE3fshzq9Pw5bme9M6qzS8Hh-F_akgVl7qZ.Q9mY91oGY6mktE76.
  • Strategies for Smart Borrowers Handout
• Loan Repaymnet Planning Tools Worksheet
• PSLF Fact Sheet
• Loan Summary Instructions 

July 14th Financial Aid Update

• Students seeking federal loans should now log into Gibson Online to make sure Terms and Conditions have been accepted, loans have been accepted, and all requirements for federal student aid have been completed. If not, those steps should be completed as soon as possible. https://gibson.tulane.edu/ . Instructions for new students can be found above under the Important Financial Aid Documents.
• First bills go July 15th out and are due August 13th.
• Tulane Law School Scholarships disburse to students’ Tulane accounts on July 9th provided the student is enrolled in at least ten credit hours (part-time LLM credit hours required will vary).
• Federal student loans disburse to students’ accounts on August 16th (at night) provided all requirements are met and student is enrolled at least half-time (five credit hours). If all requirements are met by August 14th, Accounts Receivable will be able to see that aid will be applied to students’ accounts when the disbursement date arrives.
• Interest rates on federal loans are set at 0% until at least September 30, 2021 due to COVID-19, but are re-set each year on July 1. New interest rates for the coming school year are:
  • Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan 5.28%
  • Federal Direct Graduate Plus Loan 6.28%
• Origination fees on federal direct loans are:
  • Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan 1.057%
  • Federal Direct Graduate Plus Loan 4.228%
• Seat deposits will be applied to students’ accounts before the bill is due. However, locker charges will likely be applied after the bill is paid. Keep an eye on your student account for any charges that may be applied after the bill is sent out and/or paid. For example, if books are charged at the bookstore, those charges may be applied to student accounts until after bills are received.
• Students taking out loans for living expenses should be sure to be set up on Direct Deposit and Request a Refund when aid disburses. Instructions are here: https://studentaccounts.tulane.edu/content/refund-disbursement
• New students taking out federal loans should complete the Release of Title IV Funds form and return it to Accounts Receivable. It is found here: https://studentaccounts.tulane.edu/sites/g/files/rdw806/f/Title_IV_Release_Form_082216.pdf
• For questions about Tulane health insurance, contact Campus Health at campushealth@tulane.edu or visit their website for detailed information. https://campushealth.tulane.edu/
• For questions about financial aid, contact us at finaid@law.tulane.edu or call us at 504-865-5931. If there is no answer, leave a message because we’re on another line. This will come to our email accounts and we’ll reply as soon as possible.
• For questions about your bill, contact Accounts Receivable at acctrec@tulane.edu .

Scholarships

Most scholarships and tuition waivers at Tulane are awarded to JD candidates on the basis of the information presented in the admission file. These awards are generally described as "merit-based," although most of the recipients also demonstrate financial need. At Tulane, the terms "scholarship," "tuition waiver," and "grant" are used interchangeably.

Please note that our supply of scholarship funds is not inexhaustible.  Once these funds have been allocated, we must stop making awards.

Most of Tulane's scholarship awards are made to applicants at the time an offer of admission is extended. Because these scholarship decisions are made on the basis of information contained in the admission file, no additional forms are required.  Students who receive scholarship awards at the point of admission should not expect to receive additional scholarship awards. 

In most cases, scholarship awards made to entering JD students are renewable in the same amount for the second and third years of law school, so long as eligibility requirements are met.  Scholarship assistance is not available for transfer students.  Some awards are made to recognize outstanding achievement by upperclass JD students who did not receive scholarship assistance as first-year students.  Scholarships do not increase as tuition increases.

Some of the assistance awarded to law students in the form of scholarships or tuition waivers comes from internal funds at the Law School, set aside for that purpose and designated Tulane Law School Scholarships.  In addition, other funds have been donated to the School for the purpose of scholarship awards by alumni and other friends of the School.  Students awarded scholarships from these named funds will be asked to write thank-you letters to the donors. 

Externally Funded Scholarships

Whether or not you were offered a scholarship funded by Tulane Law, you may be eligible for one of the many externally funded scholarships for law students. A searchable databank of law school scholarships, created by Access Lex Institute, can be viewed online here: https://www.accesslex.org/databank. 

 

 

All law students live off-campus. Most choose to live in the uptown neighborhood of New Orleans, where Tulane's main campus is located. There are no large apartment complexes in this area, so almost all students choose to live in shared houses or single units in converted houses owned by private landlords. While there are a few complexes within a 10 to 15 minute drive of campus, they tend to be more expensive than the numerous options available within walking distance to the law school. A good place to begin to learn about housing in New Orleans is our Housing Guide to see the different styles of homes in the city and to learn some of the vernacular of New Orleans architecture and geography.

You should not expect to start your search for housing until the late spring or early summer months Very few apartments become available before the spring semester ends in April and May. Most leases will begin within three to six weeks of signing, so most students choose to sign leases at the end of May, June and as late as July. There will still be properties available in August, but we encourage students to finalize their housing plans by mid-July if possible. Most students find housing through online classified ads (including craigslist, zillow, and padmapper), real estate agents, bulletin boards around campus, and physical "for rent" signs displayed on rental properties. The Office of Admission, along with the other links below, are available to assist you as you conduct your search.

 

Apartment Complexes Almost all apartments in the uptown area are small individually owned buildings ranging from 4-unit to 12-unit buildings. Most large complexes are located in the Warehouse district, or in the suburb areas. Below are the larger gated complexes in the uptown area where our students have lived: Faubourg on Freret (https://www.faubourgonfreret.com) The Georgian Apartments (https://www.thegeorgianapartments.us) (This complex is in the lower garden district about a 15 minute drive to campus. This complex is currently connected to the law school via the Tulane University Transportation system “Pappi Shuttle”, but this specific shuttle line will be discontinued in May of 2019) The Saulet (https://www.saulet.com) (This complex is in the lower garden district, about a 15-20 minute drive to campus)   Local Agents The Tulane University Housing department website lists several off-campus agencies who can assist students. Of the ones mentioned, the following often have listings in the neighborhood near campus. Villere Realty - 4921 Freret St. - 504-818-6032 Latter & Blum - 7840 Maple St - 504-866-7000 Keller Williams Realty - 8601 Leake Ave - 504-862-0100   RentCheck RentCheck is an app that standardizes move-in and move-out inspections to prevent unjust deductions from security deposits. The app walks you through all of the steps required to take the right pictures to ensure you get your security deposit back at the end of your lease, plus it was created by two Tulane Grad Students! 30% of renters lose their security deposit, and RentCheck is designed to lower your risk. If you have any questions about the app, contact hello@myrentcheck.co

Obtaining Your Visa

All international students complete the necessary steps to obtain a student visa in order to study in the United States. Questions regarding the visa process should be directed to Maria Landry in the Office of Admission at mgusmaop@tulane.edu.

 

1) Obtain the I-20 Form: The first step in the process of getting a student visa is to obtain the I-20 from Tulane. International students who intend to enroll must provide the Office of Admission with the following before an I-20 can be processed:

• Full commitment deposit
• A completed Statement of Adequate Funding form
• A completed Affidavit of Support form or other supporting documents

 

Once you have paid your full commitment deposit, the Office of Admission will provide you with the Statement of Adequate Funding and Affidavit of Support forms. After you have completed and returned these forms, we will request that the Tulane Office of International Students and Scholars process the I-20. The completed I-20 will be given to us, and we will mail it to you.

 

2) Pay the SEVIS Fee: New students and exchange visitors with an initial entry I-20 or DS-2019 are required to pay the $200 SEVIS I-901 fee. Students transferring from another US institution do not need to pay this fee. The SEVIS fee was created to offset the expense associated with the creation of the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) program. You must pay this fee before your visa interview. Instructions and answers to many questions can be found at http://www.fmjfee.com.

 

3) Apply for your Visa: You must contact the nearest US embassy or consulate for local procedures, processing times, application forms and fees. To locate an embassy or consulate go to http://usembassy.state.gov. In order to obtain the appropriate visa, you must present to the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate your I-20 or DS-2019 form, your SEVIS fee receipt, evidence of financial support, and your letter of acceptance to Tulane Law School. Canadian citizens do not need their visa before entering the United States; please see note on next page.

Please be aware that because of additional security measures there have been significant delays in visa issuance in some situations. Please take steps to obtain your visa as soon as possible.

 

Immigration and Customs Procedure

You will need to have the following documents with you when you travel to the United States. Do not place these documents in your checked baggage. If your baggage is lost or delayed, you will be unable to present the documents at your port of entry. As a result, you may not be able to enter the United States. Carry these documents with you:

• Your passport, valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of your expected stay
• Your I-20/DS-2019
• Evidence of financial resources
• Evidence of student/exchange visitor status, such as your Tulane Law School acceptance letter
• Paper receipt for the SEVIS fee
• Contact information for the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS)

For comprehensive information on procedures for traveling and arriving in the United States, visit the State Department's web site at http://educationusa.info/pages/students/travel.php.

 

If Arriving By Air: Flight attendants will distribute Customs Declaration Forms (CF-6059) and Arrival Departure Record Forms (I-94). These must be completed prior to landing.

 

If Arriving by Land or Sea: The CBP Officer at the port of entry will provide the necessary Customs Declaration Forms (CF-6059) and Arrival-Departure Record Forms (I-94) to be filled out upon your arrival.

Proceed to the terminal area for arriving passengers. Have the following documents available for presentation:

• Your passport
• Form I-20/DS-2019
• Arrival-Departure Record Form (I-94)
• Customs Declaration Form (CF-6059)

All visitors entering the United States must state their reason for wishing to enter the country. You will also be asked to provide information about your final destination. It is important that you tell the CBP Officer that you will be a student at Tulane Law School, 6329 Freret Street, New Orleans, LA 70118. 

 

Once your inspection is successfully completed, the inspecting officer will:

• Stamp your I-20 or DS-2019 form for the duration of status (“D/S”) for F and J visa holders.
• Stamp the Arrival-Departure Record Form (I-94) for duration of status (“D/S”) and staple it in the passport.

 

Note for Canadian Citizens

Canadian citizens do not need to have a visa before entering the US. The visa can be obtained at the point of entry into the United States. Prior to arrival in the US, you will need to have received your I-20, paid the SEVIS fee and have the receipt as evidence of payment. The easiest and quickest way to pay the SEVIS fee is on-line. More information and the I-901 form to pay the fee can be found at this web site: http://www.ice.gov/sevis/i901/index.htm.

 

When you arrive at the point of entry, you will need the following items:

• Your passport, valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected stay
• Your I-20
• Your SEVIS fee receipt
• Evidence of financial support
• Your letter of acceptance to Tulane Law School

For information pertaining specifically to COVID-19, please visit the COVID-19 Information Module

 

Student Health and Wellness Fee

Most degree-seeking graduate and post-graduate students automatically pay the Student Health and Wellness Fee which provides access to services provide by Campus Health. If for some reason you are not assessed this fee, you will need to pay the fee each semester to access services at any Campus Health location. Learn more about fees and access to services. 

 

Patient Portal

Manage your health, immunization and physical exam on the Patient Portal. All students should utilize the Patient Portal to upload their immunizations prior to arrival at Tulane and complete an online health history. These tools will help improve your experience as a student and allow Campus Health to provide more comprehensive care. If you have any specific chronic health care needs, please contact their nursing staff for assistance to assure they are prepared for your arrival. 

 

Immunization Compliance

The Health Center offers all required immunizations and the TB skin test. However, we recommend you receive required vaccines and TB testing before you arrive at Tulane. Information about submitting immunization records will become available in early July.

 

Health Insurance Coverage

All degree-seeking Tulane University students are required to carry health insurance coverage equal to or greater than the university requirements. Each year, degree-seeking students must enroll in the Tulane-sponsored Student Health Insurance Plan (T-SHIP) or waive enrollment in this plan by providing proof of other comparable coverage by the posted deadline. 

You should contact your health insurance carrier regarding your coverage while in law school. Your plan must provide equivalent coverage to the Tulane-sponsored plan. This means that you have full access to providers in the New Orleans area including mental health services on a non-urgent as well as urgent basis. Check your existing plan to ensure providers are available in our area. 

International students are required to enroll in T-SHIP unless they have U.S. based insurance that meets the same requirements as that of U.S. insurance plans. See the university health insurance requirements for further clarification.

Please notify The Health Center of any changes in your health insurance coverage. Also, be sure to carry a copy of your insurance card with you. 

This brief introduction to New Orleans is a good place to start learning about the rich and vibrant Crescent City and why New Orleanians old and new take such pride in calling New Orleans home. In addition, you can peruse the links compiled below to learn more. To learn more about housing and living in New Orleans, visit the Housing Section of this course.

Local daily newspaper	Local daily newspaper	The voice of New Orleans business, covering news on business, banking, technology, real estate, construction, law, retail, and development	The Official Louisiana Tourism Website - sponsored by the Louisiana Office of Tourism and the Louisiana Travel Promotion Association
Monthly magazine focusing on the music scene of New Orleans and Louisiana, the region's culture and its cuisine	New Orleans 24 hours a day, 7 days a week	New Orleans news, politics, entertainment, music, restaurants and shopping information provided by Gambit newspaper	Everything you need to know about Mardi Gras
Information on city government, phone directory, and departments	Public transit system for the New Orleans community providing bus and streetcar services	Public Radio for New Orleans providing NPR news, culture and the stories of the people, places, and events that make New Orleans unique	A listener-supported, non-commercial radio station for New Orleans and the surrounding community. Jazz, Blues, Latin, Cajun, Funk and more
Information for shopping and dining along Magazine Street in New Orleans.	Information for shopping and dining along Oak Street in New Orleans	Guide for the New Orleans community on how to build and live green	A nonprofit, nonpartisan civic organization created to develop leadership through community projects.

       

Tulane Law School's Orientation begins during the Summer with mandatory programs that can be watched live or later via a recording throughout the month of July and into the first weeks of August. Students will also be offered opportunities to virtually meet with fellow classmates at numerous student organization sponsored Zoom events and social gatherings. Live events will be posted to the Course Calendar as they are scheduled and an entire Orientation Module will go live in July where all recordings will be posted for viewing.

 

Summer Orientation will conclude with our two-day Preparing to Enter Law School (PELS) Academic Prep Program. We anticipate that PELS will be offered in-person on Tulane's campus in August 2021, but like many schools, we are continually adjusting to the challenges presented by COVID-19, and we will update students as soon as plans for summer 2021 orientation are able to be finalized.

Paid Parking Options

Paid parking options include purchasing a parking permit at Tulane's Diboll Garage (approximately 10 minute walk to Weinmann Hall) or purchasing a parking permit at Loyola's Freret Street Garage located directly across the street from Weinmann Hall. 

 

Tulane Commuting Student Parking Permit (better if you like to start or end your day at the gym)

Commuting Permits are available to students who live off-campus. Commuting students can park in the Diboll Garage located on Claiborne Avenue, next to the Reily Center (Tulane's gym facility). Students who have purchased a commuter permit may also park in other areas marked in red and yellow on the Tulane University Parking Services map (https://campusservices.tulane.edu/sites/default/files/Parking%20Map%2023x13%202019%208.19.19.pdf).

Parking permits are digital and can be purchased online. See the Parking Services website for more details : https://campusservices.tulane.edu/parking/uptown/digital-parking-permits.

Permits for the 2023-2024 academic year will become valid beginning on September 1st, 2022, and will expire on August 31st, 2024. Any permit purchased prior to September 1st will expire on August 31st, 2023, so it is important that you do not purchase a Tulane parking pass until September 1st, 2023. More information about permit cost and parking schedule is available here: https://tulane.aimsparking.com/.

 

Loyola Community Member Parking Permit (closest to law school, recommended)

Loyola University parking passes will be available for purchase beginning on August 1st. To purchase a Loyola parking pass please visit http://finance.loyno.edu/police/parking-services and click on the link entitled “Community Members”. You will first need to create an account on Loyola’s parking website using your Tulane email address. Once you have created an account, click on the “permit” tab, and fill out the required information including mailing address, license plate number, and vehicle registration information. Once you have submitted this information, Loyola will send you a confirmation email. For more information about Loyola Parking Services, visit http://finance.loyno.edu/police/parking-services, call (504) 865-3000, or email parking@loyno.edu.

 

Free Parking

There is plenty of free parking in the neighborhood surrounding Tulane University, but please note that in the approximately 3 block area surrounding Weinmann Hall, free parking is limited to 2-hours and is strictly monitored.

 

All applicants to law school should be aware that in order to practice law in the United States, it is necessary to be admitted to a state bar. Each state bar has character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission, in addition to educational requirements. Applicants are advised to research the requirements of the state(s) in which they hope to practice at the earliest possible time. A list of bar associations and links to their respective websites can be found below. 

In recent years, some state bars have included in their character and fitness reviews an examination of candidates' credit reports. Unresolved problems in credit reports can result in inability to take a bar exam or to be admitted to a state bar. 

In order to be eligible to take the bar exam in any state, you will need to complete to complete an application. Among other things, the application will require you to disclose whether you have been subject to any criminal or disciplinary proceedings. Different states handle such offenses differently. If your personal situation would require you to respond to such a question in the affirmative, you may wish to contact the Board of Bar Examiners now in the state(s) in which you hope to practice law. Find out the likely effect on your eligibility for bar admission, and what you can do now to minimize the likelihood of any problems. 

Many state bar authorities request that your law school provide a copy of your admission application. If the state bar examiners notice any discrepancy between answers to your questions on your admission application and answers to questions on your state bar application (for example, in response to questions about criminal or disciplinary proceedings, or in response to questions about previous enrollment at educational institutions), they will investigate further. In some cases, discrepancies of this sort can cause serious problems for law school graduates seeking bar admission. 

If you have any reasons to believe that any of these issues might apply to you, please address them now - well in advance of applying for admission to any state bar. 

• Alabama 
• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• District of Columbia
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts 
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska 
• Nevada 
• New Hampshire 
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York 
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio 
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

We hope all of our admitted students will plan to visit New Orleans and Tulane's campus. While we can accommodate private visits to campus on most weekdays, we strongly encourage our admitted students to attend one of our formal Admitted Student visit day programs. Our Spring 2023 visit dates will be Friday, March 17th, 2022 and Friday, April 14th, 2022. We will share more information about our visit programs and travel reimbursement policy in January. If you have immediate questions about planning a visit to Tulane Law School or New Orleans, please contact Julia Spencer or Emily Wojna-Hodnett at jmarti41@tulane.edu or ewojna@tulane.edu.

We will continue to add availability as needed. If you do not see any times available on our calendar, please check back soon! Alternatively, if none of the available times work with your schedule, please e-mail us directly at jmarti41@tulane.edu and ewojna@tulane.edu with your availability.