Congratulations on your acceptance!

You are now part of the capable and diverse student body at San Joaquin College of Law. Our students come from a variety of professional backgrounds–teaching, public service, law enforcement, science, business – bringing a broad range of perspectives to the study of law. The student body also includes first-generation college students, Central-Valley natives, immigrants, second-career students, recent college graduates, veterans and more. Your unique experiences enhance not only your own learning experience but also the education of your peers.

The Juris Doctor program at San Joaquin College of Law seeks to create a program of legal education which produces graduates who are highly skilled individuals who can contribute to the development of legal and social institutions and to the integrity of the legal system. San Joaquin College of Law serves Central California and beyond as a center of professional legal education and scholarly discourse.

To get ready for Fall classes follow these steps:

1. Please read all files posted to the right underneath First Year Files
   In addition to the Welcome Packet, Dean’s Fall Update, Fall Registration Packet, your first assignments, syllabi, booklist and other important information will be posted at this location as they become available. Please continue checking this page for updates.
   
   
2. Get Financing for School
   Eligibility for federal student aid is based on several factors. The financial aid office at SJCL will determine your eligibility based on your submission of the Federal FAFSA and SJCL Financial Aid Application. Click here to apply for financial aid.
   
   
3. Look up Your SJCL Account Information
   Now that you have been accepted to SJCL, you can use the SJCL Connect page (You will be notified by email when it is ready for your use) to access your SJCL account information. This information will be needed to access all of the online resources for SJCL.
   
   
4. Access Your Student Email
   Students are assigned an email address at the beginning of the first semester. All information regarding your enrollment at SJCL (grades, canceled classes, financial aid, exams, etc.) is communicated through your SJCL student email address. It is recommended you check it regularly. You can access your student email account online.
   
   
5. Register for Classes Online
   Check back for online registration dates (Typically the week before orientation). Instructions for registration will be mailed and emailed to you in July. You will register here.
   
   
6. Fill out the First Year Student Forms
   Please complete the First Year Form.
   
   
7. Order Your Textbooks
   The list of Fall Textbooks is included in the Fall Registration Packet and is also attached under the First Year Files to the right titled First Year Student Book List. If you have questions, please contact Pat Smith at psmith@sjcl.edu. Information on purchasing books can be found here.
   
   
8. Attend Orientation and Legal Methods (First Week Schedule)
   The Fall 2025 1L semester kicks off the week of August 11th with Orientation and the first two sessions of the Legal Methods I course.

   Date	Event
   Monday, August 11	Orientation Part 1
   Tuesday, August 12	Legal Methods
   Wednesday, August 13	Orientation Part 2
   Thursday, August 14	Legal Methods

   Notes:

   • All four events/sessions are required for all 1Ls.
   • Your regular class schedule starts the week of August 18th.
   • We are excited to welcome you to SJCL!

Applicants are required to take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). The LSAT is only offered four times a year in:

• October
• December
• February
• June

The deadline to register for the LSAT is one month prior to the date of the test. San Joaquin College of Law is a test site listed under Clovis with LSAT Test Center number 9521. Registration for the February LSAT or completing an earlier LSAT is required to meet the San Joaquin College of Law Early Application deadline of March 31. The June LSAT is accepted for the June 30 Final Application deadline. Applicants are strongly encouraged to take the LSAT earlier than the June LSAT of the year they intend to apply.

Registration and information can be obtained from the Law School Admission Council online at www.lsac.org.

Catalog Request.

Your request was successfully submitted and you should be receiving it in one to two weeks.

Thanks for registering.

We look forward to meeting you at our Alumni Panel Forum.