First-Year Law Orientation

During our professionalism program, you will have the opportunity to meet attorneys, judges, business professionals and administrators. For this occasion, we recommend business casual attire (no t-shirts or jeans) as the best choice for these encounters. You are welcome to wear jeans during the remainder of orientation.

For early summer start and the fall semester, all first-year students will have class each day, Monday through Friday. Classes may start as early as 8 a.m. and end as late as 5:30 p.m.  

All full-time, first-year students are pre-registered for a standard schedule of required classes. You may not register yourself for first semester classes or request special consideration. Note: Part-time students should contact Lexie Zirschky, the Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Administration in mid-summer regarding scheduling. Your individual class schedule will be made available prior to Orientation.

Your book list is available on the Willamette Bookstore site after your class schedule is made available. Although you may choose to purchase your books prior to Orientation, you will also be able to purchase books at the Willamette University bookstore during Orientation. The Willamette University Public Interest Law Project will also host a used book sale during Orientation where a limited number of first-year books and study-aids will be available. Books can also be purchased online at other resources.

Mandatory Orientation for Early Summer Start Option is Monday, May 18, 2026.

Early Summer Start Option semester classes begin on Monday, May 19, 2026.

You may find other important dates such as the final examinations schedule, winter break, and the start of the spring semester on the Office of Student Affairs website.

Campus Map

Office of Student Affairs
Comprehensive law student support, law registrar
Truman Wesley Collins Legal Center, 2nd floor
(503) 370-6380

Office of Career Planning & Development
Job search, Attorney-Mentor Program, Externship Program
Truman Wesley Collins Legal Center, 2nd floor
(503) 370-6057

Office of Law Admissions
Truman Wesley Collins Legal Center, 4th floor
(503) 370-6282

The Service Center
Student IDs, Parking Permits, Bike Registration
University Services Building
(503) 370-6300

Office of Financial Aid
1st Floor Waller Hall
(503) 370-6273 (voice
(877) 744-3736 (toll free)

Student Accounts
Tuition payments, refunds, 1098-T tax information
Waller Hall, 1st floor
(503) 370-5308

Bishop Wellness Center
Health Services, Student Insurance, Counseling, Learning and Disability Services
Baxter Hall, Main Campus
(503) 370-6062

Office of International Education
International student support, Study Abroad programs
Global Learning Center, NW corner of Baxter near Smullin and Ford Halls
(503) 370-5493

Campus Recreation
Montag Center, 1st floor
(503) 370-6892

Shanan Woods is the Senior Financial Aid Counselor for graduate programs.

Full-time tuition for the 2024-2025 academic year is $53,980. Your fall semester tuition and fees statement will be available in late July. Please see Tuition and Financial Aid for a breakdown of tuition, fees, and estimated expenses for full-time and part-time tuition.

Student loan funds and refunds will be available to pick-up during Orientation week from Student Accounts, or by direct deposit through your WU Account (click on Colleague Self Service to get started, and then Banking Information to provide your details). 

To receive your funds, you must:

• Return your signed award letter to the Financial Aid Office
• Complete your Master Promissory Note (MPN) at www.studentloans.gov
• Complete Entrance Loan Counseling at www.studentloans.gov

Willamette Integrated Technology Services (WITS) is Willamette's technology services group. WITS manages the campus' network, email systems, computer labs, and more. They provide students with their network account which is used to access Willamette's technology resources, as well as a variety of student technology support.

WITS has a Help Desk in Smullen 118.  The Help Desk can be reached at (503) 370-6767 from 7:45am-5pm during the school year, and 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. during the summer. 

An integral part of your legal education will involve learning how to find the law and conducting the legal research necessary to complete class assignments and papers. Through your campus ID, you will have 24/7 access to the J.W. Long Law Library, housed within the Truman Wesley Collins Legal Center. The Law Library provides study tables, annually-reserved shared carrels, conference rooms and professional print and online resources. Online resources, such as legal databases are also accessible remotely with your active student network account.

The Law Library is staffed by reference librarians and circulation staff weekdays, evenings and weekends. You will have the opportunity to meet the Law Library staff during Orientation. 

The Office of Career Planning & Development, located on the 2nd floor of the law school, is a valuable student resource, dedicated to creating employment and professional development opportunities for students and alumni. You will have the opportunity to meet the Office of Career Planning & Development staff during Orientation.

Pro Bono legal services are professional work undertaken voluntarily and without payment as a public service. The ABA recommends that attorneys render at least 50 hours of pro bono legal services per year. The Oregon State Bar's aspirational standard is for all attorneys to perform at least 80 hours of pro bono services per year. Providing pro bono service is part of being a lawyer. 

Facilitated by the Office of Career Planning & Development, Willamette Law's Pro Bono Honors Program enables all students to participate in this valuable practice. An award luncheon is held each summer in recognition of students who meet a minimum requirement of pro bono work as a legal or general volunteer. Awards are also given to students who have performed the most service hours per class. 

Willamette Law supports a number of affiliation and interest-based student organizations, including Phi Alpha Delta, Moot Court Board, the Multicultural Law Student Association (MLSA), and OUTLaw. You will have an opportunity to meet representatives from each of our student organizations at a student organization fair held during the first few weeks of class.

Willamette University's contact person for Veterans Affairs is Sarah Fisher, Assistant Registrar.

A $600 deposit is required to secure your seat in the entering class. Pay your deposit.

In early April, we will send out email instructions on setting up your network account and creating your Willamette user account and email address.

Student ID Cards for incoming students are printed in advance of arrival. Please submit a photo prior to August 12. Photos can be submitted at any time. Cell phone photos are acceptable, so there are no costs or special equipment that is needed. ID Cards will be available for pick on the first day of Orientation at check in.

Upload Your ID Photo
Building Access
Compass Card

Student loan funds and refunds will be available to pick-up during Orientation week from Student Accounts, or by direct deposit through your WU Account (click on Colleague Self Service to get started, and then Banking Information to provide your details).

To receive your funds, you must:

• Return your signed award letter to the Financial Aid Office
• Complete your Master Promissory Note (MPN) at studenloans.gov
• Complete Entrance Loan Counseling at studentloans.gov

For questions or assistance, please contact Shanan Woods, Assistant Director of Financial Aid.

All full-time, first-year students are pre-registered for a standard schedule of required classes. You may not register yourself for first semester classes or request special consideration. Note: Part-time students should contact Lexi Zirschky, the Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Administration in early summer regarding scheduling. Your individual class schedule will be made available prior to Orientation.

If you have not done so already, please send to LSAC an official transcript showing the date your bachelor's degree was awarded as soon as possible. If you have any questions, please email law-admissions@willamette.edu.

We must have your official transcript prior to the start of Orientation. This is a requirement of the American Bar Association (ABA). You may not be allowed to attend class until you have met this requirement.  

Information on how to complete the online Health History form will be sent directly by Bishop Wellness Center this summer, after your student Network Account has been created.

All students enrolled half time or more are required to complete a Health History Form prior to the start of Orientation. Oregon State Law requires all entering University students to show proof of measles vaccine (MMRs), unless they meet certain exemptions. International students may have additional required immunizations. Students who have not fulfilled these state requirements will not be permitted to attend class. Please ask your health care provider about any needed immunizations.

DOMESTIC
All domestic students enrolled half time or more are required to have health insurance coverage. You will be automatically enrolled in the university provided plan unless you submit a waiver to opt-out and remain on your own health insurance plan.

To waive the Willamette Student Health Insurance Plan, you must submit a waiver through the Bishop Wellness Center.

INTERNATIONAL
All international students are required to have health insurance coverage. You will be automatically enrolled in the university provided plan unless you submit a waiver to opt-out and remain on your own health insurance plan.

To waive the Willamette Student Health Insurance Plan, you must submit an International student health insurance waiver through the Bishop Wellness Center.

The majority of law students live off campus in Salem and the surrounding area. However, there are a limited number of on-campus apartments and residence halls that are reserved for graduate students. Law Admissions has a current law student each year who is a housing coordinator that can assist in housing resources. Please contact law-admissions@willamette.edu.

Our Moving to Salem Guide may prove helpful in your search for a local area apartment and or property management services. Additionally, the Housing Office maintains an updated listing of the availability of on-campus housing.

Other postings for housing and apartments will be posted on Admitted Student LinkedIn group.

If your contact information changes, or if we can provide assistance in any way, please contact the Office of Law Admission at law-admissions@willamette.edu or (503) 370-6282.

Parking is available in designated Willamette University parking lots without a parking permit during orientation week but all other parking regulations remain in effect. Parking permits will be required and Campus Safety will issue citations to cars parked in Willamette University parking lots without a parking permit after Orientation.

If you park in City of Salem owned parking spots (i.e. Winter Street 10-hour metered parking spots), you are subject to City of Salem parking enforcement. The Admissions Office will not reimburse you for any ticket or citation expenses.

You may purchase temporary or annual parking permits for standard or reserved lots from the Service Center, located behind the College of Law.

During orientation, you will have the opportunity to discuss professional ethics in small groups of your peers led by local attorneys and professionals. Hypotheticals will be emailed prior to orientation. 

Please review the Oregon State Bar Statement of Professionalism.

• Statement of Professionalism

If you wish to limit the directory information provided under FERPA regulations, please complete and submit the FERPA Privacy Form to the Law Office of Student Affairs by the end of the first week of law classes.