2023 Orientation Schedule

We are excited to officially welcome you to Columbia Law School on Monday, August 21, through Wednesday, August 23, for orientation. You can find your schedule below by expanding your cohort. You can find your cohort by logging into LawNet and looking for your Legal Methods professor.

Student Organizations Orientation Events
Some of our student organizations host orientation events in August and September. Find the events here.

Additional Activities

Tuesday, August 22
IT Configuration: You will be able to configure your devices to join Columbia Law School’s networks on Tuesday, August 22, from noon until 5 p.m. in Jerome L. Greene Hall 107.

Bookstore: The Columbia University Bookstore is open on Tuesday, August 22, from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Feel free to stop by to browse swag and books!

Thursday, August 24
Admissions Ice Cream Social: Spend time with the Admissions team on Revson Plaza from 3:00-5:30 p.m.

Friday, August 25
Headshots: You will be able to take a complimentary headshot in William and June Warren Hall’s Feldberg Space on Friday, August 25 during the following times: 9-10:45 a.m., 11 a.m.-12:45 p.m., 1:30-3:00 p.m., 3:15-5:45 p.m.

Please do not leave Legal Methods to take a headshot. Please come during your breaks.

Map of Columbia's Campus

Map of Columbia's Morningside campus with various buildings highlighted

Groups A and B will be on your name badge at orientation. Scavenger groups will also be on your name badge. Pay attention to these letters and numbers on your name badges, as they correspond to different room assignments throughout orientation.

Note: Be sure to wear comfortable shoes on the first day! You will be moving around campus.

9:30
9:45 a.m. 
Registration and Beverage Station

William and June Warren Hall, Feldberg Lounge
Check in at William and June Warren Hall lobby, and pick-up your name badge and your CUID. Remember: Bring a government ID.

10:1510:45 a.m.
Welcome from the Deans and Student Senate President

Miller Theatre
Hear from Justin Onwenu (Student Senate President), Nkonye Iwerebon ’93 (Associate Dean and Dean of Admissions), Yadira Ramos-Herbert (Dean of Students and Registration Services), and Gillian Lester (Dean and Lucy G. Moses Professor of Law) as we welcome you to the Law School and our community.

11 a.m.1 p.m.
Campus Scavenger Hunt with The Go Game

Miller Theatre
Campus scavenger hunt: Explore the Columbia campus on an interactive scavenger hunt with your pre-assigned team.

1:152:15 p.m.
Lunch
Pulitzer Hall, World Room
Vegan, vegetarian, kosher, and gluten free options available. Eat here, or grab your lunch and find a spot around campus.

2:303:30 p.m.
Pick Your Building Block (Choose One)

Cultivating Your Professional Persona and Network

Jerome L. Greene Hall, 101
“Tell me about yourself?” Four simple words that often cause stress and prove to be one of the toughest questions to answer - in building a network and especially in interviews. At the conclusion of this interactive presentation led by  Jay Rhoderick, you will walk away with tips and strategies that you will be able to use to help answer the question that you will likely be asked quite a bit during your time at Columbia Law School and certainly beyond.

OR

Effective Strategies to Combat Stress and Burnout Workshop
Jerome L. Greene Hall, 103
Burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. It can lead to lower job satisfaction, decreased work performance, loss of motivation, and can negatively impact individuals and entire organizations. This workshop provides a review on the research on stress and burnout and the impact it has on individuals mental and physical wellbeing.

OR 

Time Management with Alice! Health Promotion
Jerome L. Greene Hall, 107
Making informed choices about how to use available time can set the stage for academic success. Participants will discuss factors that impact time-choice, managing time effectively, building a balanced schedule, and learn about tools for overcoming procrastination. Led by Alice! Health Promotions. 

3:454:45 p.m.
Community Discussions

Ginsburg A: William and June Warren Hall, 207
Ginsburg B: William and June Warren Hall, 208

Establishing an inclusive, collaborative, and respectful culture on campus - both inside and outside the classroom - is essential to creating community values and increasing access to important resources. In this small workshop setting, student facilitators will lead discussions on important topics that are relevant to fostering a healthy and respectful community. 

Note: You will be getting a backpack and swag today! Please do not bring a personal backpack.

9:45
10:15 a.m. 
Beverage Station

Jerome L. Greene Hall, Lobby
Stop by for a little pick me up before starting today’s workshops.

10:30 a.m.noon
Creating an Inclusive Community

Jerome L. Greene Hall, 106
During this interactive session, we’ll discuss the importance of honoring diversity, equity, and inclusion at Columbia Law School.

12:151:15 p.m.
Lunch

Jerome L. Greene Hall, Drapkin
Vegan, vegetarian, kosher, and gluten free options available. Eat here, or grab your lunch and find a spot around campus.

1:153 p.m.
Financing Your Public Interest Career and Financial Aid Presentation
Pulitzer Hall, Lecture Room
In partnership with current Columbia Law School students, this workshop will provide information about the variety of resources available to students pursuing public interest careers, and include panelists from the Office of Public Interest/Public Service Law and Careers, Financial Aid, and graduates currently using Columbia's Loan Repayment Assistance Program. You will also learn the ins and outs of financial aid during your time at Columbia Law School. 

3:154:15 p.m.
Faculty Panel

Jerome L. Greene Hall, 101
Law School faculty members will share their wisdom and advice on how you can maximize your law school experience.

4:306:00 p.m.
What it Means to be a Part of the Columbia Community 

Jerome L. Greene Hall, 101
In this session with Sexual Violence Response staff and volunteers, you will learn about programs and policies for preventing sexual violence, the dynamics and realities of sexual assault, what it means to be a prosocial bystander, effective strategies for bystander intervention, and resources and services for someone who is affected by violence.

In a presentation by our Gender-Based Misconduct office, you will learn about Columbia University's Title IX policies and resources. Note: Title IX is a federal law that prohibits sex or gender-based discrimination, including sexual harassment.

9:3010 a.m. 
Beverage Station

William and June Warren Hall, Feldberg Lounge
Stop by for a little-pick-me up before starting today’s workshops.

1011 a.m. 
Student Panel

Ginsburg A: William and June Warren Hall, 207
Ginsburg B: William and June Warren Hall, 208

Hear 2Ls and 3Ls share their insights about law school.

11:15 a.mnoon
Lunch

Various Locations
Pick-up lunch outside your room, and head to your “Choose Your Own Adventure” room (details and locations to be shared via email).

12:15different end times
Choose Your Own Adventure

Various Locations
After lunch, you will head to your activity's location where you will get to know some like-minded peers.

2:455 p.m.
Snack Trucks

Wien Courtyard and West 116th St
Enjoy a taste of New York at our food truck fair! We will have tasty and delicious vegan, vegetarian, gluten free, and Kosher options available.

September 5-7 Professional Pathways Orientation

In these interactive sessions, you will meet the dynamic, highly accomplished Deans and advisers from the three career offices at Columbia Law who make it possible for our students and grads to obtain the most coveted legal positions in the judiciary, private sector, government, human rights and public interest. You will learn more about the exciting pathways to practice and how our career teams will work with you, beginning in your 1L year, to help you crystallize your professional goals and create the path to their achievement.

Dates: September 5, 6, and 7
Time: 12:10 p.m. to 1:10 p.m.
Rooms: Students with last names beginning with:

  • A-H: Report to JG 104 all 3 days 
  • I-R: Report to JG 106 all 3 days 
  • S-Z: Report to JG 103 all 3 days

Lunch will be served.