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Below
are QuickLinks to information on this page:
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This page includes a bunch of practical information
to help incoming students navigate starting the first-year at
the Charleston School of Law.
Fall semester texts. Students who want
to find a list of the books they'll need in Fall 2006 can click
here to download an Excel spreadsheet. Students should make
sure that they purchase books required by the professor that
will be teaching their course. More bookstore
info.
Student Health Insurance:
Students enrolled in the Charleston School of Law have several
health insurance options. Students who were employed immediately
prior to enrolling in law school should consider continuing their
benefits under either COBRA or State Continuation of Insurance.
Students who seek to COBRA should contact their employer's Human
Resources department to determine if they qualify.
A second option to students is an Individual Personal Blue Plan
and High Deductible Health Plan available through Blue Cross Blue
Shield of South Carolina. The level of coverage selected and the
age of the student will determine the cost of the plan.
A third option for students is a short term policy. Benefits under
such programs are not extensive, often have higher deductbiles,
and renewal options are limited.
A final option available for students is the Student Health Plan
which provides temporary coverage while a student at the Charleston
School of Law. This plan offers limited benefits and renewal options
are limited.
Students interested in securing health insurance may contact Amy
Inabinet with Inabinet & Associates, Inc., Blair
Rice or another insurance provider. Ms. Inabinet and Mr. Rice
will be available at orientation to discuss insurance options
with interested students.
Suggested
summer reading. For students who want to learn more
about the legal profession before classes start, the school has
compiled a reading list (DOWNLOAD
PDF, 36K). NOTE: This reading is not required.
Two suggestions from Dean Gershon are:
Lewis, Anthony. Gideon's Trumpet. 1964.
A story about a poor man's fight for legal counsel.
Stern, Gerald. The Buffalo Creek Disaster.
1977. The story of a lawyer who represented the survivors of a
coal mine disaster in West Virginia and did it pro-bono. The book
depicts both procedural and human aspects of practicing law.
Computer Requirement: The Charleston
School of Law requires all entering students to have a laptop
computer. If you are interested, CDWG and Dell have agreed to
offer laptops to our students at discounted rates.
If you already have a laptop, it is likely that it can be configured
to meet the needs of the wireless network that is installed
throughout the CSOL campus. The minimum requirements for the
laptop are that it contains a "Wireless G" 802.11(g)
compatible network card along with acceptable anti-virus software
installed and updated.
Detailed information pertaining to computer requirements will
be sent out to all incoming students as part of their enrollment
package.
The Charleston School of Law has negotiated special discounted
pricing with CDW-G
and Dell
for laptops and accessories that will meet your law school needs.
For details, please follow the links listed below.
More info. If you have any questions or want more
information, please contact Gordon Russell, Associate Dean,
at (843) 329-1000. You may also contact him by email at Grussell@
charlestonlaw.org.
Housing Information: Housing and
roommates continue to be concerns for many incoming students.
The School of Law will work with incoming students to assist
in finding a roommate and provide leads on available apartments
and housing options. Enclosed is a form that you may complete
and return to the law school. If you are looking for a roommate,
if you have an apartment or a house, if you are looking for
housing, please complete the form and return it to the Office
of Admissions. Once the information is compiled it will be made
available to all incoming law students who inquire about housing
and roommates.
Books and Online Bookstore: The Charleston
School of Law has entered into an agreement with MBS Direct to provide
students with an efficient and cost effective means of purchasing
books for the first semester of law school. MBS Direct is an online
bookstore that serves many colleges and universities. The Charleston
School of Law "bookstore"
at MBS Direct is "open.". Once you have your class schedule,
you can go online and order the books and they will be shipped directly
to you. MBS Direct is a convenient way to order your books, though
you may choose to order them from other vendors. The Charleston School
of Law does not have a local bookstore, which means students will
need to utilize an online service. If you have questions about MBS
Direct, please call the office or visit their web site at www.mbsdirect.net.
Second Seat Deposit:
In mid-June, a packet of information will be mailed to all
accepted students who have paid the initial seat deposit.
Included in that packet will be a second intent form and request
for a second deposit of $500.00. The second deposit, like
the first is non-refundable and will be applied toward your
fall tuition. The second deposit will be due in the Office
of Admissions on or before July 1. Failure to pay the deposit
will result in the offer of acceptance being revoked and the
seat being offered to an applicant on the waiting list. If
your plans have changed and you no longer intend to enroll
at the Charleston School of Law please notify the office of
admissions as soon as possible, there are applicants on the
waiting list anxious to take your place.
Fitness Center:
The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) has agreed
to provide Charleston School of Law students with access to
the fitness center and facilities available at MUSC. The cost
per semester will be $250.00 per semester. For additional
information about the fitness center at MUSC, visit www.musc.edu/hsc/.
Student Loan Deferment:
Many of you have contacted the Office of Admissions regarding
current student loans. You have inquired as to whether or
not you will be able to defer your outstanding student loans
while you are enrolled in the Charleston School of Law. At
this point I do not think you will be able to defer your loans.
The federal guidelines for deferment of student loans while
in school does NOT apply to a non-ABA approved law school.
Inquiries continue to be made, but the information provided
does not look encouraging.
Once the Charleston School of Law has provisional
accreditation, which should occur prior to you beginning your
third year of law school, you will be able to place your loans
into deferment. However, for your first two years of law school,
it appears that you will need to plan to make your monthly
payments. If you have questions, or if I may provide you with
any additional information, please let me know. The administration
and staff of the Charleston School of Law are anxious to work
with you as you make arrangements to finance your legal education.
The Charleston School of Law is also looking
into a loan program with a lender other than Bank of America.
The other lender would provide an option with similar interest
rates, credit requirements, etc. Once the program is in place
you will be notified.
Need-based Scholarships:
The deadline for applying for a need-based scholarship was
June 1. Decisions regarding need-based scholarships should
be made by the end of June. Initial merit based scholarships
offers have been made. As students who were offered merit
scholarship monies change their minds or decline the offer,
additional awards may be made.
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