UND Law Class of 2029

UND School of Law - Welcome (Week #1)

Welcome UND Law Class of 2029 Students!

We are so excited for our incoming class that will be starting with us this August. This will be the first of many emails you will receive from the Office of Student Life as we get closer to your first day of orientation and law school in August.  These emails will touch on various items to help with preparation for the fall semester.  Topics such as financial aid and tuition, class schedule and registration, Student U card, technology requirements, parking, and textbooks will all be covered.  Please expect weekly emails from our office each Tuesday and keep us informed if your email address changes.  We will continue to send these emails to the email address you gave us on your application and will not transition to using your UND email until orientation begins. If there is a topic that you would like more information on, let us know! 

To help get you started, please view our Admitted Law Students Checklist for items to complete and/or consider before the start of classes, which you also received in your Welcome Package.  As we proceed through the summer months, information about these items will be emailed out to allow you to complete different tasks.  Feel free to use this checklist to ensure tasks are completed. If you have not already started looking into housing options, I would recommend reviewing the "Apply for Housing" section for on-campus and off-campus options. Law students are responsible for finding and making their own housing arrangements.

It is essential that if you have not done so already that you Claim your NDUS Account.  If you are a new student to the North Dakota University System, you will need to “claim your account” to receive your NDUS. Identifier and create a password (you can watch a short video about this process here). Once you claim your account, you do not have to do this again, so if you already have a NDUS. Identifier username and password, you can skip this step! Remember to keep your NDUS. Identifier and password as you will use it daily to access Campus Connection, UND email, BlackBoard and more!

• To claim your account, you will need your Student ID (also referred to as your EMPLID) that was provided on your Welcome Checklist in your Welcome Package. If you do not know your Student ID/EMPLID, click HERE. If you are unable to retrieve your ID, please let our office know.
• Claim Account - https://campus.und.edu/campus-services/uit/ndus.html - Under Quick Links, find “Claim Your Account”. (Note - This page also has step-by-step instructions too!!)
• Watch the short video clip from Chancellor Brent Sanford (approximately 30 seconds) and proceed by clicking "Claim your NDUS Account". The page will refresh to a new screen to enter your EMPLID and birthdate.
• Complete the rest of the steps to receive NDUS. Identifier and create password.
• The NDUS Help Desk is an awesome resource if you need any help (1-866-457-6387 or NDUS.HelpDesk@NDUS.edu)

Campus Connection Website https://studentadmin.connectnd.us/psp/NDCSPRD/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/?cmd=login - This page will be used to register for classes (information will be sent in mid-June), view financial information and pay your bill, view academic records, etc.

The admissions team is available to assist this summer as you prepare to start law school in August:

• Pam Shea, Director of Admissions & Records
• Sheri Evans, Admissions Application Specialist
• John MacLeod, Admissions Counselor

Additional staff in the Office of Student Life who you will meet in the coming months are: 

• Brad Parrish, Assistant Dean for Student Services
• Lauren Shimek, Administrative Assistant
• Mary Feller, Director of Career Development
• Bailey Oswald, Student Life Coordinator

We are excited to have you all here this fall – please let us know if you need anything from us to make your transition easier!

Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. Have a great week!

Kindly,
Dr. Shea

___________________________________________

Pam Shea, Ed.D.
she/her/hers
Director of Admissions & Records
University of North Dakota School of Law 

UND School of Law - Let's Get Connected (Week #2)

Hello UND School of Law Class of 2029 Students,
Welcome to your week #2 email. In case you didn’t receive email #1, or missed it, I’ve attached it to this email. As I mentioned last week, we will send weekly emails to share information that will help get you ready to join us in August – and we are looking forward to seeing you then!

Let’s Connect!

• Class of 2029 Facebook Page – https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1GGf1oFYE4/
  Please consider joining if you’re interested in connecting with your future classmates. You can share whatever information you’re comfortable sharing about yourself, find potential roommates/carpool buddies, ask local students for restaurant/shopping suggestions, or share whatever else is on your mind! At this time, this group is only for incoming 1Ls, and me as the moderator to help post some ice breakers and answer any questions you may have. Right before orientation, some of the orientation leaders who are 2L and 3L students will be added to also answer questions and provide information on some of the orientation activities. Once the academic year begins, 2L and 3L students may also join to share information about student organization/law school events, etc. We’ll continue to send information on a weekly basis throughout the summer, and you’re welcome (and encouraged) to reach out to us with any questions or concerns.
• UND Parents & Families Facebook Page – https://www.facebook.com/groups/779354133423417

I highly also recommend the UND Parents & Families page. This forum exists to help you learn what makes UND such a special place, to answer your questions about Grand Forks, and to help you connect with other Fighting Hawks. Frequently students post about looking for a roommate or selling items on there.

• University of North Dakota (UND) Off Campus Housing & Roommate Search - https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1HJ4e3J7kC/

A great Facebook page to search for housing options and roommates in Grand Forks!

1L Fall Curriculum - First year law classes are required of all incoming students. The Fall 2026 class schedule and book list will be sent to you in June with additional information on how and when to register for your classes.
This fall you will be taking:
Torts – 4 credits
Contracts – 4 credits
Civil Procedure – 4 credits
Lawyering Skills I – 3 credits

Veteran & Military Services – if you are an active-duty military member, veteran, or the dependent of a veteran, I highly encourage you to reach out to UND Veteran & Military Services. They are here to assist service members and their familiar maximize tuition and Department of Veterans Affairs education benefits. There are steps you will need to take to apply for your education benefits. Veteran & Military Services has staff working on-campus and remotely. Virtual or in-person appointments can be scheduled via Hawk Central, by calling 701.777.3363 or emailing vets@UND.edu.

Please reach out with any questions you may have – we are here to help!

Have a great week,
Dr. Shea

If your plans no longer include UND School of Law, please let me know as soon as possible and I will withdraw your application. If you are currently seat deposited at more than one school, we respectfully request that you make a decision on which school you are planning to attend for Fall 2026, as many law schools have waitlists to fill those seats and more accurately plan for fall enrollment.

UND School of Law - Resources and Tours (Week #3)

Good morning, UND School of Law Class of 2029 Students:
Welcome to your UND Law week #3 email!  I hope this email finds you well. I am out of the office this week for the LSAC Annual Meeting and Conference, so if you need anything from me, please know that I may be a little delayed in responding.

A few items for this week:

Tour – If you have not already had a chance, please let us know if you are interested in touring the Law School this summer! You can use this link to schedule a tour directly with a member of the Admissions team Book time to meet with Admissions 

If unable to tour before attending, we are also more than happy to set up a Virtual Tour on Zoom with you. 

Financial Aid - U.S. Law students are eligible for unsubsidized loans and private loans by completing the FAFSA. After submitting this application, UND’s Student Finance department will send you an offer email indicating the funds that are available for you to apply towards tuition and fees. Completing the FAFSA early ensures you can accept aid, complete your master promissory note, and finish your entrance loan counseling before payment of tuition and fees is needed. Keep in mind, you do not have to accept any aid that you do not need. If you have questions about financial aid, contact One Stop Student Services (701-777-1234 or onestop@und.edu). A sample offer email has been included below to help you locate financial aid information on Campus Connection.

• If you’ve completed your FAFSA and have not received a financial aid offer, please follow the “Claim your account” steps from the Week #1 email to receive your NDUS. Identifier, create a password, and access your student Campus Connection portal. If you already have a NDUS. Identifier, you may access your financial aid offer through Campus Connection.
• UND Student Finance has created a helpful website that outlines changes to federal financial aid under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Student Finance is continuing to seek clarification from the Department of Education, and the page will be updated as new information becomes available.  https://und.edu/one-stop/financial-aid/financial-aid-changes-26-27.html 

International Students - I-20's and Visas

U.S. Immigration Requirements by Citizenship:
Canadian Citizens:
You are not required to apply for a U.S. visa. However, you must still obtain a Form I-20 from UND and pay the SEVIS I-901 fee. At the U.S. border, present your I-20, Canadian passport, and proof of SEVIS fee payment to enter the United States as a student.

International Applicants Residing in Canada (Non-Canadian Citizens):

You must apply for a U.S. F-1 student visa at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate (typically in Canada). Residency in Canada does not waive the visa requirement unless you are a Canadian citizen.

International Applicants Residing Outside the U.S. and Canada:

You must apply for a U.S. F-1 student visa at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. 

All international students have received a separate email regarding the required documentation. All required documentation for the I-20 must be submitted to Sheri Evans by July 15 to allow at least one month for processing by the UND International Center. For questions about documentation, visa eligibility, or the I-20 process, please contact the UND International Center. 

Official Transcripts
I have had several emails regarding the official undergraduate transcript that is listed on the “Student Checklist”.  If your degree was conferred prior to when you applied to law school and was listed on your official transcript that was submitted to LSAC through CAS, there is no need to submit an additional transcript to us.  However, if your degree was conferred after you applied, you will need to submit an official transcript to the School of Law.  If you are unsure if we have your official transcript with degree conferred, please reach out to Sheri Evans and she will be able to assist you.

Those students in our 3+3 Accelerated Program here at UND do need to send a transcript with their most recent semester of grades and will then also send another transcript after your bachelor’s degree is conferred in May 2027.

Connect With Your Classmates

• Class of 2029 Facebook Page – https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1GGf1oFYE4/
  Please consider joining if you’re interested in connecting with your classmates. You can share whatever information you’re comfortable sharing about yourself, find potential roommates/carpool buddies, ask local students for restaurant/shopping suggestions, or share whatever else is on your mind! At this time, this group is only for incoming 1Ls, and me as the moderator to help post some ice breakers and answer any questions you may have. Right before orientation, some of the orientation leaders who are 2L and 3L students will be added to also answer questions and provide information on some of the orientation activities. Once the academic year begins, 2L and 3L students may also join to share information about student organization/law school events, etc. We’ll continue to send information on a weekly basis throughout the summer, and you’re welcome (and encouraged) to reach out to us with any questions or concerns.
• GroupMe

I received the request for a Class of 2029 GroupMe to be created as another way to communicate about housing, classes, books, Grand Forks, etc.

If you're interested in joining, you can join by clicking here: https://groupme.com/join_group/115039164/178fK1Ow

I do have it set as hidden so that just members of UND Law Class of 2029 will be able to join.

Please reach out with any questions you may have – we are here to help!

Cheers,
Dr. Shea

If your plans no longer include UND School of Law, please let me know as soon as possible and I will withdraw your application. If you are currently seat deposited at more than one school, we respectfully request that you make a decision on which school you are planning to attend for Fall 2026. Many law schools have waitlists to fill those seats, and this helps to more accurately plan for fall enrollment.