Next Steps for Admitted Students

Congratulations on your acceptance to the Pepperdine University Rick J. Caruso School of Law! We have hand-selected you as students who represent the heart of our school in different yet profound ways.

This page is here to serve as a resource to assist you in the important decision of choosing a law school, along with upcoming events and important deadlines. Most importantly, we welcome you to engage in our community and learn what makes Pepperdine so unique. Here you will find everything you need to know about joining Caruso Law, including important deadlines, registering for a virtual or in-person tour, checking out our Surf Report, and completing all the steps to hit the ground running when you arrive on campus. Please refer to this website on a regular basis for updates.

I look forward to meeting you in Malibu in August.

Shannon Phillips
Dean of Admissions & Student Information
shannon.phillips@pepperdine.edu

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Next Steps
Accepting the Offer
Life in Malibu
Current News
Housing
Tuition
FAQ

Class of 2028

four law students walk up a set of stairs

Important Next Steps for Incoming Students

April 11, 2025: Open House for Admitted Students
April 15, 2025: $400 First Seat Deposit due in WaveNet
June 15, 2025: $600 Second Seat Deposit due
August 11 - 14, 2025: Mandatory New Student Orientation - Launch Week
August 15, 2024: First Day of Fall Semester for 1L Class

Here are additional resources to help prepare you to join our community.

2024 -25 Academic Calendar

two students sit on the law in front of the Caruso School of Law

Accepting the Offer of Admission

Congratulations again on your admission to Pepperdine Caruso Law! Please complete this form to accept the offer of admission. Once you've completed the form, visit your Applicant Center in WaveNet to pay your deposit. Please refer to your offer email for your first seat deposit deadline.

Please note you will not see a "balance due" in your Applicant Center. Refer to your Offer of Admission for your deposit information. You can pay your deposit via eCheck, wire transfer, or money order. Pepperdine University is not able to accept credit card payments.

Your non-refundable seat deposit(s) are applied to your first-semester tuition. Please contact the Office of Admissions with any questions.

Acceptance Response Form

WaveNet

Questions?

Life in Malibu

JD students walking in front of the law school building

Our students tell us that visiting Pepperdine Caruso Law's campus is the best way to experience our distinctive community. We encourage you to attend one of our on-campus or virtual opportunities to connect with a Student Ambassador or Admissions Counselor. Click here to register for one of our in-person or virtual tours of Caruso Law. We also welcome you to experience a virtual tour of the law school. 1L class visits are available for admitted students from September through April.

We are pleased to offer the Campus Visit Scholarship for students who ultimately choose to enroll at Pepperdine Caruso Law. For those traveling more than 250 miles, we will reimburse up to $500 for transportation and hotel costs in the form of a scholarship toward your first semester’s tuition. Travel expenses are not reimbursed directly. We will not reimburse for food or moving expenses. Please fill out the reimbursement form and submit all receipts by August 1.

Opportunities

Visit Us

Caruso School of Law Events

Newsroom

Housing

Students walking outside on George Page stairs

Law students find their own housing but we are pleased to assist you the best we can.

Admitted students who have paid their first deposit can apply to the George Page Residential Complex, the on-campus graduate housing. The Pepperdine housing application is now open and spots are on a first-come-first-served basis. Contact the Pepperdine Housing Office at (310) 506-7586 if you need assistance or have any questions.

Please contact the Office of Admissions for our Off-Campus Housing resource at (310) 506-6787 or email us at lawadmis@pepperdine.edu.

Tuition & Financial Aid

Prospective students talking to financial advisor outside under umbrella in front of Law School

We recognize that a legal education is a major investment in your future and requires a tremendous financial commitment. We are committed to assisting our students to understand the options available in financing a legal education, as well as educating them to make wise financial choices in regards to their education and life as a law student.

Contact the Office of Financial Assistance at 310.506.4633 or lawfinaid@pepperdine.edu with any questions.

Financial Aid FAQ

Cost of Attendance

Student Accounts

FAQs for Admitted Students

Can I visit Pepperdine?

During the academic year, in-person and virtual tours are offered by our Student Ambassadors. Get an in-depth look at the Pepperdine community and ask questions to learn more about our admissions process, application requirements, and our distinct program offerings. Please click here to register. In the meantime, we encourage you to view the Caruso Law virtual tour. If you are unable to join us, meet an admissions counselor on the road at a recruitment event near you.

Is my merit scholarship negotiable?

Our Merit Scholarships are based on a combination of an applicant's LSAT or GRE test score(s) and cumulative undergraduate GPA. To ensure fairness and consistency of the scholarship amounts across all of our incoming students who are offered merit scholarships, Pepperdine Caruso Law does not negotiate scholarships, regardless of scholarship offers from other law schools.

Are there any other types of scholarships available?

During your 2L and 3L years, students are eligible to apply for our Restricted and Endowed Scholarships. These are applied to the spring semester of the same year and typically range from $5,000 to $15,000. Students are also encouraged to search for outside scholarships. The Financial Assistance Office maintains an ongoing list of these scholarships, which are updated with new opportunities and shared with current students. More information on scholarships can be found here.

What is Launch Week? Is it required?

Launch Week is a week-long orientation to a successful law career. Launch Week consists of the Academic Mastery Program, designed to equip students with the necessary skills to be successful in law school. Additionally, it is an opportunity to meet your faculty, student, and alumni mentors, as well as connect with fellow new students. Launch Week is required for all 1Ls and begins on Monday, August 11, 2025. Readings for the week will be made available 5-10 days in advance.

What is our first-semester schedule?

Students are enrolled in courses for fall in mid-July. Students typically take Civil Procedure, Criminal Law, Legal Research and Writing I, and Torts during the first semester, and Constitutional Structure, Contracts, Legal Research and Writing II, and Property during the spring semester. Accelerated Option students also take these same courses in the fall and spring of their 1L year. 1L's are in class Monday-Thursday from 8:30 am-3:30 pm and Fridays from 8:30 am-12:00 pm.

When will I know who my professors are and what books to buy?

Information regarding students' sections and textbooks will be made available in late July.

How do I apply for on-campus housing?

The Fall 2025 housing portal will become available during the Spring 2025 semester. You must have paid your first deposit in order to be eligible to apply to the on-campus graduate housing. The complex houses approximately 100 law students and is conveniently located across the street from the law school. More information on the George Page Residential Complex can be found here. Please contact the Housing Office at housing@pepperdine.edu or at (310) 506-7586 with any questions.

Are there health insurance plans for law students?

Pepperdine University provides health insurance for all enrolled students. USI Student Insurance Services facilitates our Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP), and Anthem Blue Cross provides customer service to our students for all insurance matters. Please visit the website visit the University Health Insurance Requirement web pagefor more information.

How do I get a parking pass?

All vehicles, including motorcycles, scooters, and mopeds, require a properly displayed parking permit. Currently, Pepperdine does not charge for parking permits. Our office will send you details regarding your 2025-2026 parking permit in late July.

How do I defer my current student loans?

Once you are enrolled as a law student, please visit your loan servicer's website and request an in-school deferment form. Please email your form to our Office of Student Information & Services to be processed and sent to your servicer.