OLSAS 2014 - Addenda: Ontario Law School Application Service

On page 63, under Advanced Standing, DELETE:
Advanced Standing
Students who have successfully completed part or
all of their legal education outside of Canada may be
considered for admission with advanced standing.
Except in extraordinary circumstances, students will
not receive more than one years advanced standing.
If admitted, students will be required to satisfy
the program requirements of Western Law. Upon
successful completion of the program, students
are eligible to receive a JD degree from Western
University. Advanced standing applicants who have
not written the LSAT may be required to do so.
Documentation:
Ofcial transcripts of all university work
A nal transcript of work completed
Two condential reference letters from law
professors
Documentation of the LSAT score(s), if ever
written
A personal statement, which must include the
applicants reason(s) for seeking advanced
standing
OLSAS 2014 Addenda
Ontario Law School Application Service
Changes provided in these addenda modify the information in this document, published in September2014.
Contact the appropriate university directly if you have questions about these changes.

Service ontarien de demande dadmission en droit
Les changements fournis au prsent addenda modient les renseignements dans ce document, produit en
septembre 2014. Veuillez adresser toute question leur sujet luniversit en cause.
Western University
On April 21, 2014, Western University informed the
OUAC of the following change to the OLSAS 2014
booklet:
On page 62, under Personal Statement (Part A
Suggestions) DELETE:
your interest in legal study and how you plan to
use your Western law degree personal and/or
professional achievements
And REPLACE with:
use your Western law degree
personal and/or professional achievements
Western University
On March 26, 2014, Western University informed the
OUAC of the following change to the OLSAS 2014
booklet:
Dernire mise jour : 21 avril 2014 Last revised: April 21, 2014
www.ouac.on.ca/olsas/
http://centre.ouac.on.ca/olsas/
170 Research Lane
Guelph ON N1G 5E2
www.ouac.on.ca/teas/
http://centre.ouac.on.ca/olsas/
A letter from the current law school conrming
that the applicant has not been the subject of
any academic or non-academic discipline and is
in good standing
And REPLACE with:
all of their legal education outside of Canada may be
considered for admission with advanced standing.
Except in extraordinary circumstances, students
will not receive more than one years advanced
standing. If admitted, students will be required
to satisfy the program requirements of Western
Law. Upon successful completion of the program,
students are eligible to receive a JD degree from
Western University. Advanced standing applicants
who have not written the LSAT are required to do
so. June 2014 LSAT scores will be accepted for fall
2014 admission.
Documentation:
Ofcial transcripts of all university work
A nal transcript of work completed
Two condential reference letters from law
professors
Documentation of the LSAT score(s)
standing
A letter from the current law school conrming
in good standing
Queens University
On October 21, 2013, Queens University informed
the OUAC of the following change to the OLSAS
2014 booklet:
On page 41, under Mature Applicants Academic
Requirements DELETE:
Applicants who have not completed three years
of course work at a recognized institution as of
June 1 of the year of admission and are at least 26
years of age and have a minimum of ve years of
non-academic experience, are eligible to apply for
admission under the Access category. The minimum
age and minimum non-academic experience
requirements must be met as of September 1 of the
year of admission.
And REPLACE with:
Applicants who have completed three years of
course work at a recognized institution as of June
1 of the year of admission and are at least 26
years of age and have a minimum of ve years of
non-academic experience, are eligible to apply for
admission under the Access category. The minimum
age and minimum non-academic experience
requirements must be met as of September 1 of the
year of admission.
170 Research Lane
Guelph ON N1G 5E2
OLSAS 2014
Important Dates
Applicants should mail documents several weeks in
advance to ensure delivery by the deadline dates.
November 1, 2013
Deadline for applications to first-year programs. Note
that transcripts and reference forms are also due at
the time of application.
April 15, 2014
Deadline for applications to the Canadian & American
Dual JD Program at Windsor.
May 1, 2014
Deadline for applications to upper-year programs.
June 30, 2014
Deadline for receipt of final transcripts at the OUAC.
Inquiries
General inquiries: olsas@ouac.on.ca
Technical support: olsas_support@ouac.on.ca
Applicants can obtain information about the
application process and can view details concerning
their application from the OUACs comprehensive
website.
Website: www.ouac.on.ca/olsas/
Address
OLSAS
Ontario Universities Application Centre
170 Research Lane
Guelph ON N1G 5E2
Notes:
It is the applicants responsibility to ensure that
the application and the required documentation
are received by OLSAS on, or before, the deadlines
published herein.
Applicants should submit only one application.
Applications and supporting documents are used
only for the year specified. A new application is
produced annually.
Apply online at: www.ouac.on.ca/olsas/
Document last revised: April 21, 2014
2 OLSAS 2014 Last revised: April 21, 2014
Read the entire instruction booklet before
completing the application.
Apply online at: www.ouac.on.ca/olsas/.
Applicants should be aware that the application
process is lengthy. The amount of time required
depends on the number of schools to which the
applicant wishes to apply. Applicants should allow
from five to twenty-five hours of preparation time
prior to submitting their application.
Each of the seven Ontario law schools has its own
admission requirements, and reserves the right to
determine whether degrees granted by postsecondary
institutions are suitable for the purpose of admission.
Applicants should be aware of these variations and
be sure that they qualify for consideration before
forwarding their applications to OLSAS. OLSAS will
process and forward applications to all requested
law schools, regardless of the qualifications of the
applicant or the completeness of the application.
There are no refunds.
Applicants whose only choice is the University of
Ottawas French Common Law program should not use
the English application. Applicants to the University
of Ottawas French Common Law program and to the
National Program may fill out the French-language
application at: http://centre.ouac.on.ca/olsas/.
For Droit civil/Civil Law, the application may be
obtained at: http://centre.ouac.on.ca/ouac-105/.
Nota : Les personnes qui dsirent faire une demande
dadmission au programme de common law en franais
de lUniversit dOttawa doivent obtenir le formulaire
de demande sur http://centre.ouac.on.ca/olsas/ et le
remplir en ligne.
Notice Regarding this Publication
While every effort was made to ensure accuracy in this
publication, the OUAC and the law schools reserve
the right to amend the information presented as
necessary at any time.
The law schools and OLSAS do not endorse or support
presentations or publications other than their own.
Up-to-date information should be obtained directly
from the schools admissions offices or their websites.
About the OUAC
The Ontario Universities Application Centre (OUAC),
located in Guelph, Ontario, Canada, is a central
bureau whose function is processing applications for
admission to the provinces universities. The OUAC
provides cost-effective and efficient services achieved
through innovative computer and data management
activities.
The OUAC was founded in 1971 by the Committee of
Presidents of the Universities of Ontario (now called
the Council of Ontario Universities) and the Ontario
About OLSAS
The Ontario Law School Application Service (OLSAS)
is a not-for-profit, centralized application service for
applicants to the seven Ontario law schools. OLSAS
was developed by admissions personnel at these
schools and is operated by the Ontario Universities
Application Centre (OUAC), which is a division of
the Council of Ontario Universities. Its purpose is
to facilitate the process of applying to Ontario law
schools and to reduce duplication in application
processing in order to save time and resources for
the applicants and the institutions. Each law school is
completely autonomous in reaching its own admission
decisions, with OLSAS providing only the application
processing service.
The OLSAS online application can be found at:
www.ouac.on.ca/olsas/.
Applicants must apply for admission to the seven
Ontario law schools on one common application,
using one set of academic documents. OLSAS only
processes applications for admission to Ontario law
schools. For information about law schools outside
of Ontario, contact the law schools directly.
Contents
About OLSAS..................................................................... 2
The OUAC and Privacy .................................................. 3
Applicant Responsibilities............................................. 5
Personal Information ......................................................6
Address Information ....................................................... 7
Choices and Fees ............................................................. 7
Autobiographical Sketch ............................................... 7
Referees ...............................................................................8
LSAT ......................................................................................8
Institutions Attended ......................................................9
Transcripts ...........................................................................9
Law School Requirements First Year .................. 11
Law School Information
Lakehead University .................................................... 13
Osgoode Hall Law School of York University ..... 16
University of Ottawa .....................................................25
Universit dOttawa .......................................................32
Queens University ........................................................40
University of Toronto ................................................... 55
Western University ......................................................60
University of Windsor ................................................. 66
Universities Council on Admissions, and its activities
are monitored by an Advisory Board. This board is
appointed by, and reports to, the Council of Ontario
Universities and is responsible for overseeing the
operations and management of the OUAC. The board
includes representation from each of its user groups
and is chaired by a university president.
The OUAC and Privacy
The OUAC takes extensive measures to ensure the
safety and security of its website.
The OUAC encrypts application data using Secure
Sockets Layer (SSL) technology, the industry standard
for protecting web communications.
Email
Messages that applicants send to the OUAC by regular
email may not be secure. The OUAC recommends that
applicants do not send any confidential information
by regular email. Applicants who choose to send
confidential information to the OUAC via regular
email should be aware that they accept the risk
that a third party may intercept this information.
After applications have been submitted and paid for,
applicants will be able to access the OLSAS Secure
Applicant Messaging tool (SAM), in order to send
amendments to their application.
Declaration and Notice of Collection, Use, Disclosure
and Treatment of Your Personal Information Provided
as Part of Your Ontario Law School Application
Service (OLSAS) Application
The Ontario Universities Application Centre (OUAC)
was created by the universities of Ontario through the
Council of Ontario Universities (COU). The OUAC has
been processing applications on behalf of universities
in Ontario since 1971. To apply for admission to a law
school at a university in Ontario, your application must
be processed through the OUAC. The OUAC forwards
your application information to the university(ies) of
your choice. By applying through the OUAC, you agree
that the university(ies) of your choice will obtain the
personal information you have provided to the OUAC
and the OUAC will collect, use, disclose and otherwise
manage your personal information as set out in this
Declaration and Notice.
The personal information requested in this application
is required by the OUAC and by the law schools for
the purpose of your application and must be provided
together with your application fee. Incomplete
applications will not be considered. Law schools
may require additional personal information from
you to complete your application. Law schools may
use and disclose your personal information for other
purposes in accordance with their own admission and
personal information policies and practices, including
requirements for government enrollment reporting,
which you must investigate yourself. Universities
disclose personal information to regulatory authorities,
law enforcement or other persons, when authorized
or required to do so by law.
It is your responsibility to ensure that your application
information and all supporting documentation is
truthful, complete and correct, and that your
autobiographic and personal submissions are
authored solely and entirely by you. The OUAC
and the universities reserve the right to verify any
information provided as part of this application. If
any information in your application is determined
to be false or misleading, concealed or withheld, or
written by a third party, at the absolute discretion of
the OUAC and/or a university, your application may
be invalidated. This could result in its immediate
rejection or in the revocation of an offer of admission
or registration at a university. Any such information
may be shared by the OUAC or by universities and
colleges with the Law School Admission Council
(LSAC), and with other universities and colleges across
Canada.
The OUAC is committed to protecting your privacy
in relation to the personal information you provide
in support of your application. If, after providing
your application, you do not register in an Ontario
law school, the OUAC will not retain any original
documentation or paper records in respect to your
application. Transcripts, autobiographic and personal
submissions, and supplementary material in support
of applications filed in a specific academic year will
not be returned, forwarded or copied to applicants,
or forwarded to third parties prior to being destroyed
at the end of each application cycle.
The OUAC retains the current (and historical)
electronic version(s) of your demographic, academic
and choice data provided in your application in
accordance with the OUACs records retention policy,
and maintains administrative, technical and physical
safeguards in an effort to protect against unauthorized
access, use, modification and disclosure of your
personal information. The OUAC will maintain the
confidentiality of all personal information it collects
in connection with the application and will disclose
such personal information only for the purposes
described in this Declaration and Notice. The OUAC
stores electronic records off-site as part of its disaster
recovery procedures. You are solely responsible for
keeping your OUAC application user identification,
login information and other registration information
confidential and secure. Notify the OUAC immediately
if you suspect any unauthorized access, use or
disclosure.
Collection of Personal Information:
The OUAC will collect the personal information
you provide in your application, or in reference
to your application, to process your application
to the university(ies) of your choice.
The OUAC will collect transcripts from educational
institutions, as provided by you.
The OUAC will collect your Law School Admission
Test (LSAT) scores directly from the LSAC with
the consent you provide when you submit this
application.
The OUAC will collect personal information from
individuals you provide as references.
The OUAC may collect information about your
status as a Canadian Aboriginal person. You are
not required to provide this information; however,
if you provide it, the OUAC will forward it to
the university(ies) of your choice to allow the
university(ies) to inform you of specific services
available to Canadian Aboriginal students.
The OUAC will collect payment information
from you (or from whoever is paying for this
application) to process your application payment.
All credit card processing is done by a third party
and no cardholder data is collected, transmitted
or stored on OUAC systems.
Use of Personal Information:
The OUAC will compile and process your
application and payment.
The OUAC will use personal information from
all law school applications to create aggregate,
non-personally identifiable information for use by
the public via the OUAC website, by the admissions
committees of the Ontario law schools; Ontario
universities; the COU; the Ministry of Training,
Colleges and Universities (MTCU); and academic
researchers (at the discretion of the OUAC and
the law schools) for admissions, enrollment and
other academic policy development and research
purposes.
The OUAC and/or the university(ies) will use your
date of birth for identification and document
matching purposes.
If you have ordered electronic transcripts in
support of your application, the OUAC may
use your personal information to process your
transcript request.
Disclosure of Personal Information:
The OUAC will disclose your demographic,
academic and university/program choice data to
all universities for which you have submitted an
OLSAS application.
In the event that you have applied to a joint or
collaborative university/university or university/
college program, the OUAC and/or the universities
will disclose your application information to
the relevant partner Ontario college(s) or
university(ies).
The OUAC will send the individuals you list as
references an acknowledgement letter advising
them that they have been named as a reference. If
your references contact the OUAC with questions
regarding your application, the OUAC will disclose
personal information about you, as necessary and
appropriate, to respond to the inquiry.
If a third party who is paying for this application
has questions regarding the payment for your
application, the OUAC will disclose personal
information about you, as necessary and
appropriate, to respond to the inquiry.
The OUAC and/or the university(ies) may use
your personal information to validate or assign
an Ontario Education Number (OEN). The OEN
Registry is maintained by the Ministry of Education,
and is used for tracking and research purposes
by the Ministry of Education, the MTCU, and
postsecondary institutions, as allowed within the
Education Act.
If any information connected with your application
is determined to be false or misleading, concealed
or withheld, or contains evidence of academic
dishonesty or inappropriate conduct, LSAC and
universities and colleges across Canada will be
advised, at the absolute discretion of the OUAC
and/or a university.
The OUAC will disclose personal information
from all law school applications in aggregate,
non-personally identifiable form to the public via
the OUAC website, to the admissions committees
of the Ontario law schools; Ontario universities;
the COU; the MTCU; and academic researchers (at
the discretion of the OUAC and the law schools)
for admissions, enrollment and other academic
policy development and research purposes.
If you have accepted an offer for admission to law
school, the law school will disclose this information
to LSAC for enrollment purposes.
The OUAC may disclose your personal information
to regulatory authorities, law enforcement or other
persons, as authorized or required by law.
If you have ordered electronic transcripts in
support of your application, the OUAC may
disclose your personal information to the
institution(s) from which you have ordered your
transcripts to process your transcript request.
The OUAC will forward your selected university
program choices to all universities to which you
have applied.
For more information about the collection, use,
disclosure, and treatment of your personal information
at the OUAC, review the OUACs Privacy Code at
www.ouac.on.ca/privacy/ or contact the OUAC Privacy
Officer by email at privacyofficer@ouac.on.ca, by
phone at 519-823-1940, or in writing at 170 Research
Lane, Guelph ON N1G 5E2.
Applicants Declaration:
Applicants are required to consent to the personal
information practices as set out in the Declaration and
Notice of Collection, Use, Disclosure and Treatment
of Your Personal Information Provided as Part of Your
Ontario Law School Application Service (OLSAS)
Application, and to certify the following statement:
I certify that the personal information and documents
submitted in this application, or to be submitted (all of
which constitutes the application), are true, complete
and correct in all respects, including my declarations
as to citizenship and immigration status in Canada;
that my autobiographic and personal submissions
were authored solely and entirely by me; and that all
information requested in this application has been
disclosed. I understand that it is my responsibility to
keep OLSAS and the law school(s) to which I have
applied, or at which I register, informed of any changes
to the information in my application materials, and I
agree to do so in writing immediately after any such
change occurs.
Applicant Responsibilities
Applicants are expected to become familiar with
and observe the application procedures for each
law school/program to which they are applying.
Applicants should read the entire instruction booklet
and the program-specific information provided by
each law school before completing the application.
Completed applications for admission to first-year
English programs must be received at OLSAS no later
than November1,2013.
Upper-year applications (including transfer, letter
of permission, advanced standing and/or National
Committee on Accreditation) must be received by
OLSAS no later than May 1, 2014.
the application, and all required supporting
documentation, is received at OLSAS by the required
deadlines. Normally, unsolicited application materials
and information will not be considered for admission
purposes. Faxed documentation will not be accepted.
Applicants are required to submit a personal profile/
statement for all law schools and a supplemental form
for some schools. Applicants must ensure that they
complete these forms according to the instructions
provided.
If tax return or credit card information is provided
to substantiate financial hardship, remove the Social
Insurance Number and credit card number prior to
sending copies of these documents to OLSAS. Instead,
applicants should insert their OUAC/OLSAS Reference
Number to ensure proper tracking.
Failure to comply with the admission requirements
and deadlines may result in the cancellation of the
application. Application fees are non-refundable.
The application process may be delayed until all
required transcripts and documentation are received
as specified by the law schools to which an applicant
is applying.
Supporting documentation received after the deadline
will be forwarded to the applicable law schools;
however, OLSAS cannot guarantee that the law
schools will consider these documents.
Individuals with a criminal record, or those who have
questions about their eventual accreditation by the
various legal professional regulatory bodies in Canada,
are strongly encouraged to contact the appropriate
governing body in their province prior to applying for
admission to an Ontario law school.
Submitting the Application
If an application has been successfully submitted,
applicants will receive their OUAC/OLSAS Reference
Number (2014-88xxxx) after they have completed
their payment information. They will also receive an
acknowledgement email from OLSAS. Applicants who
have successfully submitted their applications should
contact OLSAS immediately if they do not receive the
acknowledgement email, as this could be an indication
that the email address was entered incorrectly.
Applicant Reports
When their file is ready to be forwarded to the chosen
law school(s), applicants will receive, by mail, a
Verification Report indicating the data collected by
OLSAS.
National Committee on Accreditation
(NCA) Applicants
Applicants who complete a law degree in Quebec
or in a foreign jurisdiction and wish to be admitted
to the practice of law in Ontario must apply for an
assessment of the equivalency of their legal studies to
a Canadian common law degree program. Applications
of this nature are made to the NCA, which has been
established by the Committee of Canadian Law Deans
and the Canadian Federation of Law Societies. The NCA
examines the credentials of persons who wish to enter
the legal profession and makes a recommendation
directed to both law schools and law societies
regarding the period of study required to establish
equivalency with a Canadian LLB/JD degree. The
Committee, which meets three or four times per year,
considers both practical experience and the formal
academic qualifications of applicants before arriving
at its recommendations.
Applicants are advised to contact the Committee in
advance to verify application deadlines:
Federation of Law Societies of Canada
World Exchange Plaza
1810-45, rue OConnor Street
Ottawa ON K1P 1A4
Telephone: 613-236-7250, ext. 229
Email: nca@flsc.ca
Website: www.flsc.ca/en/nca/
OLSAS Secure Applicant Messaging Tool
The OLSAS Secure Applicant Messaging tool (SAM)
allows applicants to send personal information to
OLSAS via a secure process, to ensure that this
information is protected. Applicants can access SAM
by logging in to their submitted application using
their user ID and password, and then selecting the
appropriate link.
Changes to any of the following must be made using
SAM:
a. Name or date of birth
b. Home or mailing address
c. Email address
d. LSAC account number or LSAT test date(s)
After the application is submitted, changes to personal
submissions will not be accepted by any method.
Offers of Admission
Offers of admission can be made at any time following
receipt of the application. Applicants may hold only
one acceptance of an offer of admission to an Ontario
law school at any time. However, applicants who
provisionally accept an offer may indicate that they
wish their applications to other law schools/programs
remain active. Responses to offers of admission must
be submitted using SAM.
Personal Information
Gender and date of birth are collected for statistical
purposes only and do not form part of the universitys
admission decision. Date of birth is also used for
document matching purposes.
Name/Personal Information
Applicants must provide their complete legal surname,
legal given name(s) and common name. Applicants
must ensure that the given names are in the same
order as they appear on supporting documentation.
The common name is the name that an applicant
normally uses.
Applicants must record any former surname(s) so
that OLSAS and the universities can match their
documents with their application file.
First language is the first language learned at home
as a child.
Language proficiency is any language in which an
applicant is proficient.
Citizenship
Applicants must state their country of citizenship.
Applicants who are Canadian citizens should enter
Canada. Permanent residents must submit a copy
of the Canadian Immigration Record of Landing
(IMM 100) or the Permanent Resident Card issued
by Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
Once an application has been submitted, changes to
personal information must be submitted using SAM.
Address Information
Applicants should complete this information
carefully. Applicants whose home address is the
same as their mailing address need not complete the
Home Address section. The mailing address will be
forwarded to the universities as the home address if
a home address is not provided.
Applicants must keep OLSAS informed of any
address changes during the admissions cycle.
OLSAS will inform the law schools of address
changes.
Applicants should indicate which address to use
after May 1.
Three phone numbers may be provided: cell,
permanent and alternate. An alternate phone
number is another phone number where the
applicant can be reached (e.g., business).
Provision of an email address is mandatory. Email
is the primary mode of communication between
the universities, the OUAC and the applicant.
Please check that you have correctly entered your
email address and add your university choices to
your contact or safe senders list to ensure that all
messages are delivered to your inbox.
Once an application is submitted, changes to the
address or email must be submitted using SAM.
Choices and Fees
The OLSAS application service fee is $195 plus a law
school application service fee of $90 for each law
school selection. All fees are non-refundable. The
amount paid must correctly reflect the number of
law school selections made.
Note: Applicants who submit an English application
but wish to include Ottawa French programs should
contact OLSAS directly for instructions. Do not submit
a second (French) application.
The law school application fee, collected by OLSAS
but remitted directly to the institutions, assists the law
schools in covering a portion of the costs associated
with the admission assessment. Fees are determined
by the number of institutions, not by the number of
programs selected at each law school.
For information about waiving a law schools $90 fee,
applicants should consult the individual law schools
section in this booklet or contact the school directly.
Waivers must be approved prior to submitting the
application.
Transcript requests cost $12 each, with some exceptions.
All payments for applications must be received
by OLSAS no later than November 8, 2013, for
applications to first-year programs, or by May 8, 2014,
for applications to upper-year programs. Law school
authorizations for fee waivers must be in place before
the application is submitted.
All fees are non-refundable. Applications will not
be forwarded to the universities until full payment is
received by the OUAC. Partial payments will not be
accepted. Fees for withdrawn university choices are
not refunded.
Payment is part of the final Submit process and is
accepted by:
Credit card (MasterCard, VISA or American Express)
Online banking through selected Canadian banks
and credit unions. All payments must be made in
Canadian funds.
Western Union Business Solutions GlobalPay for
Students (bank-to-bank transfer for international
payments only). Applicants can pay the Canadian
dollar fees in the currency of their choice.
For more information about payments, visit the
Methods of Payment page at: www.ouac.on.ca/
payments/.
Autobiographical Sketch
List details of employment, extracurricular activities,
awards, non-academic achievements, community
involvement and professional associations. Applicants
should list these activities under the following
categories: Full-time Employment; Part-time
Employment; Volunteer Activities; Extracurricular
Activities; Academic Honours and Achievements;
Research/Publications; and Other. Applicants should
use discretion in deciding which details to report.
The duration and the nature of their involvement in
these activities should be indicated. For Employment
History, applicants should specify the name of their
employer, their job title and a short description of
the nature of the work. Applicants should account for
all years since the completion of secondary school.
OLSAS will arrange the sketch in the order required
by the law schools.
Applicants should take care in completing the
autobiographical sketch. All law schools use this
information when making admissions decisions. The
autobiographical sketch complements any personal
statement required. Note: OLSAS cannot advise
applicants on the content of their sketch.
In order to ensure that full information is provided
in the autobiographical sketch, OLSAS recommends
that applicants:
a. consider and record (separate from the
application) all activities since secondary school,
and then
b. complete the application by arranging these
activities into the categories listed above.
Applicants will be required to provide a numbered
list of contact persons for verification on the Verifiers
form (see below), as appropriate. Law schools reserve
the right to verify information in this section by
consulting these individuals.
Verifiers
For each activity mentioned in the autobiographical
sketch, applicants are required to provide the names,
addresses and telephone numbers of contact persons
who can verify their involvement in that activity
(verifiers). To associate a verifier with an activity,
cite a number (in brackets) beside each activity, then
enter the contact information for the appropriate
verifier beside the cited number on the verifiers list.
Applicants may use the same verifier for multiple
activities.
Any activities that can be substantiated by academic
transcripts do not require verifiers (e.g., scholarships,
special commendations).
The law schools reserve the right to confirm the
information provided in these sections by consulting
the individuals whom applicants listed as verifiers.
Referees
Applicants may be required to ask individuals to
provide a current reference on their behalf using the
Confidential Reference Forms (also known as Referee
Forms) that are part of the application. It is important
that these forms be used, as they are numbered with
an applicants OUAC/OLSAS Reference Number and
are labelled R1 and R2 for matching purposes
at OLSAS. Although not normally required, an R3
form is available should a third reference be required
for the application type. All forms are identical, with
no specific questions, and can be used by either an
academic or non-academic referee.
Applicants are expected to select referees who have
extensive personal knowledge of them and are in
a position to make statements concerning their
character, personal qualities, academic capabilities
and special circumstances, if applicable. Note: OLSAS
cannot advise applicants in selecting referees.
Only three Confidential Reference Forms may be used
by each applicant. If OLSAS receives more than three
reference forms or additional letters of reference, the
additional forms will not be forwarded to the law
schools.
Applicants should avoid making changes to their
referees once their forms have been printed and
distributed to the referees, or once their applications
have been submitted. Reference forms from different
referees than those stated on the application will
cause delays in processing and could compromise
applicant data. Use of reference forms with no
barcode is discouraged and will delay processing,
as the barcode is used to match referee information
from the OLSAS application.
If referee changes are unavoidable, applicants should
inform OLSAS using SAM, and should provide their
name, OUAC/OLSAS Reference Number and details of
the required change. OLSAS will then send replacement
reference forms via email.
Applicants should review the requirements of each law
school (see the Law School Requirements chart on
pages 11 and 12 of this booklet) as the number and/or
type of reference (academic/non-academic) required
will vary by law school. The Confidential Reference
Forms included as part of the application must be
forwarded to applicants referees, who should, in
turn, forward the completed forms directly to OLSAS.
These forms must be completed in confidence by
the referee and should not be made available to the
applicant. Referees are asked to attach a separate
letter of reference. OLSAS requires only one copy
from each referee, as these will be copied to all the
law schools to which an applicant has applied.
OLSAS will not accept collect (COD) courier
deliveries of these forms.
Once an application has been submitted, changes to
referee information must be submitted using SAM.
LSAT
Law School Admission Test (LSAT) results are normally
required for first-year admission purposes and for the
transfer program at the University of Toronto. Some
law schools require that the LSAT test be written by
specific dates.
Applicants must enter their Law School Admission
Council (LSAC) Account Number in the box provided
in order for OLSAS to retrieve their LSAT results.
This nine-digit identification number begins with an
uppercase L followed by eight numerals, and is
assigned by LSAC. Applicants who do not have this
number at the time of application should submit this
information using SAM.
Applicants should enter their most recent LSAT score
and/or the date on which they plan to write the LSAT.
Applicants should inform OLSAS, using SAM, if these
dates should change.
Registration materials may be obtained at:
Law School Admission Council (LSAC)
662 Penn Street
Newtown, Pennsylvania USA 18940
Telephone: 215-968-1001
Email: lsacinfo@LSAC.org
Website: www.lsac.org
LSAT scores will be requested from LSAC after OLSAS
receives the applications. As LSAC will provide LSAT
reports to OLSAS only if an applicant is a current
registrant, it is essential for applicants to determine
the status of their registration with LSAC. Applicants
should refer to the LSAC website for further information.
Additional LSAT Information
The LSAT registration fee includes up to five years
of score reporting to law schools that request an
applicants report. Applicants whose files with LSAC
have expired must contact LSAC directly to arrange
for the file to be re-activated. It is not necessary that
the LSAT be written prior to applying to OLSAS.
Applicants should see the Law School Requirements
chart on pages 11 and 12 of this booklet for further
details.
Note: OLSAS does not normally begin processing
applications until late October. OLSAS cannot assume
responsibility for fees payable to LSAC in the event
that an applicants registration with the service expires
before the OUAC processes the file.
Institutions Attended
Applicants should record the last secondary
school they attended. Applicants should also list
all postsecondary institutions at which they have
registered. This includes community colleges/CEGEPs,
universities, junior colleges, graduate schools, and
work taken on letter of permission, on transfer or on
an exchange program. Applicants should select the
institution from the Institution Name drop-down list
in the Institutions Attended section, where possible.
Applicants should choose the main campus name
even if they (have) attend(ed) an alternate campus
location. Applicants should enter the year followed by
the month in the From and To boxes. Applicants
should complete the remaining boxes as appropriate.
Transcripts
Official transcripts are required for each university,
college, CEGEP, junior college, graduate school or
other postsecondary institution at which applicants
have been registered. This includes transcripts for
work taken on letter of permission, for transfer
credit or on an exchange program. OLSAS does not
require International Baccalaureate (IB) or Advanced
Placement (AP) transcripts. To be official, transcripts
must be sent directly from the Registrars Office to
OLSAS and be printed on the institutions official
transcript paper with the school seal and/or bear
the appropriate signatures. Photocopies are not
acceptable. OLSAS cannot accept undergraduate
transcripts provided by graduate departments or sent
directly from applicants.
Applicants who have attended or are attending a
university/college that does not issue transcripts must
arrange with the Registrar to provide OLSAS with an
official statement of attendance and degree granted.
Applicants should arrange with the Registrars
Office(s) of each university, college or CEGEP that they
have attended to send complete official transcript(s)
of all course work completed to date directly to
OLSAS, 170 Research Lane, Guelph ON N1G 5E2,
by November1,2013 (first year), or by May 1,2014
(upper year). Only one copy is required. Note: It is
not possible to notify applicants of any outstanding
transcripts at the time of the deadline.
OLSAS is prepared to receive transcripts before
receiving a candidates application, but not before
August 1, 2013.
Transcripts from an Ontario University or College
Applicants who have attended, or are currently
enrolled at, an Ontario university must use the OUAC
Transcript Request Form (TRF) in the application.
Applicants who have attended, or are currently
enrolled at, an Ontario college may use the TRF. By
completing the TRF and forwarding the appropriate
fees, applicants authorize the OUAC to arrange
for their official transcripts to be sent to OLSAS;
applicants need not contact the Registrars Office
directly.
Exceptions:
1. Applicants cannot use the TRF to order transcripts
from the Royal Military College of Canada.
2. Requests for transcripts from the following
divisions or programs at the University of Toronto
must be made directly to that division: Additional
Qualifications Program (AQ) at OISE; Continuing
Studies; Toronto School of Theology; and
Woodsworth Pre-University Program. Applicants
can contact OLSAS at 519-823-1063 if they
attended/have attended one of these departments
or programs and require assistance with their
online transcript request.
3. Requests for the following York University
transcripts must be made directly to that
department: York University English Language
Institute (YUELI) and Schulich Executive
Education. Requests for transcripts from either
Continuing Studies or Continuing Education must
be made to the Division of Continuing Education.
Requests for Additional Qualification (AQ) courses
taken after 1993 must be made to Research
and Field Development, Faculty of Education.
Applicants can contact OLSAS at 519-823-1063
if they attended/have attended one of these
departments or programs and require assistance
with their online transcript request.
Note: Algoma University is a former affiliate campus of
Laurentian University. If you are a Laurentian-Algoma
student or graduate, please request transcripts from
Laurentian. All students admitted during or after 2009
are Algoma University students.
Receipt of the TRF by the appropriate deadlines
satisfies the transcript deadline requirement.
Transcripts requested at the time of application will
not include the current years results.
The OUAC will not be responsible for the refusal of
any institution to provide transcripts (e.g., delinquent
accounts, incorrect identification). Should an
institution not provide the transcript, the OUAC will
notify the applicant. If applicants do not resolve such
issues in a timely manner, the law schools will not
consider these transcripts upon their release.
Assessment of International Academic Credentials
Applicants who have undertaken undergraduate
studies outside of Canada and the United States must
have their transcript assessed by World Education
Services (WES) or an equivalent service. Applicants
who have undertaken graduate studies outside
of Canada and the United States are not required
to have their transcript assessed by WES or an
equivalent service, although such assessment may be
requested. Candidates from the National Committee
of Accreditation will not be required to have their
transcripts assessed by WES or an equivalent service.
Credentialing assessment means converting academic
credentials into their Ontario educational equivalents.
If a WES assessment is provided, applicants are not
required to send an original transcript.
Applicants should request that a course-by-course
evaluation be reported for their grades. The
assessment will not be valid without an overall GPA.
However, the admissions committees of the law
schools reserve the right to apply their own evaluation.
WES evaluations must be sent directly to OLSAS
by WES, and must be received by the application
deadline, November 1, 2013.
Note: OLSAS will continue to convert grades
of courses taken at accredited universities in the
United States and applicants do not require a WES
assessment. In addition, applicants are not required
to obtain a WES assessment for courses taken as part
of an exchange program, as long as transfer credits
for these courses appear on the home university
transcript.
To contact WES by telephone, call 416-972-0070 or
toll-free 1-866-343-0070, or visit their website at:
www.wes.org/ca/.
Transcripts for Course Work for the Current
Academic Year for First-Year Applicants
First-year applicants who complete courses in
December 2013 are required to send their fall 2013
marks to OLSAS by February1,2014. All applicants
submitting fall grades must provide an official
transcript using the methods indicated above.
Final Transcripts
Final, official transcripts (which should include all
current-year course work and degree conferral details)
must be submitted by those who have received an
offer of admission or who have a decision pending,
by June30,2014.
Note that applicants who attend an Ontario university
must use the OUAC Transcript Request Form
(TRF) Professional Division to order transcripts.
Applicants can access this form by logging in to
their submitted application using their user ID and
password, and then selecting the appropriate link.
Upper-Year Applicants
No admission decisions will be made until a final,
official transcript is received. These transcripts are
required by June 30, 2014. If a transcript is not
available at that time, applicants should advise the
law schools to which they have applied.
School Number
of
Students
Admitted
in 2012
Number of
Applicants
in 2013
Academic
Year
Part-time
Half-time
Extended-time
Minimum
Undergraduate
Academic
Requirements
LSAT Academic
Minimums
Personal
Statements
Referee Forms
(Letters of
Reference)
Programs Categories Other
Lakehead n/a 1,133 n/a Three years or
more.
Undergraduate
program
completion is
preferred.
Test must be taken on,
or after, June 2009.
No minimum LSAT
score.
Highest score used
the weight given to the
LSAT varies depending
on the fulllment of
other elements of the
application.
Overall academic
standing of
B+/75% with an
A-/80% in the
last two years
of study at the
undergraduate
level.
Required
from all
applicants.
Two letters of
reference are
required: one
academic and
one may be
non-academic.
JD General
Access
Aboriginal
Applicants applying under the Aboriginal category are
required to submit a letter of status from either a band
council or Aboriginal organization to support their
application under this category.
For the Access category, corroborative documents are
required to be submitted.
Osgoode
(York)
290 3,106 Extended-time JD three years
or more.
JD/MA (Phil)
requires
completion
of an
undergraduate
degree in
Philosophy.
June 2009
Highest score.
Most successful
applicants have a
cumulative GPA
of A-.
Required
from all
applicants.
Two required
(academic and/or
non-academic).
JD
JD/MBA
JD/MES
JD/MA (Phil)
JD/Extended
JD/BCL (2
nd
year
entry program)
General
Aboriginal
Applicants at least 26 years of age and without three
years of university studies should refer to the General
Academic Requirement section.
Required: TOEFL; separate letter requesting JD/
Extended
JD/MBA must apply concurrently to the Schulich
School of Business
JD/MES must apply concurrently to the Faculty of
Environmental Studies
JD/MA (Phil) must apply concurrently to the York
Faculty of Graduate Studies. (For more information
refer to p.g. 19, Joint Program Options.)
All applicants who wish to be considered for
scholarships and awards must complete the online
Financial Statement form.
Ottawa
(English)
304 3,100 Half-time Three years or
more.
Undergraduate
program
completion
is strongly
encouraged.
Test must be taken on,
or after, June 2009.
Most successful
applicants have a
cumulative GPA
of A-.
Required
from all
applicants.
Two required by
all; at least one
from an academic
source.
JD
JD/MA
JD/MBA
Canadian &
American
DualJD
PDC (Combined
JD/LLL)
General
Special
Circumstances
Access
Mature
Aboriginal
Aboriginal applicants must also submit a proof
of Aboriginal status and an up-to-date resum or
curriculum vitae (C.V.).
Mature applicants must also submit an up-to-date
resum or C.V. along with the Personal Statement;
therefore, applicants should not use the Personal
Statement as a C.V.
The weight given to the LSAT will vary according to
other elements of each applicants le.
Ottawa
(Franais)
71 270 Mi-temps Au moins trois
annes.
Voir la colonne
Autre.
La termination
du premier cycle
est fortement
recommand.
Non-requis Les personnes
admises ont
gnralement
une moyenne
pondre
cumulative de
A-.
Requis de
tous les
candidats.
Deux requises de
tous les candidats
dont au moins
une de source
acadmique.
J.D.
J.D./M.A. (M.A. en
anglais)
J.D./M.B.A.
Le programme
de double grades
J.D. canadien
et amricain
(English, USA)
PDC (formation
conjointe J.D./
LL.L.)
Gnral
Circonstances
spciales
Accs
Adulte
Autochtone
Les tudiants de la catgorie autochtone doivent
soumettre une preuve dappartenance un groupe
autochtone et un resum ou curriculum vitae (C.V.).
Les tudiants de la catgorie adulte doivent soumettre
un resum ou C.V. jour, ainsi que la dclaration
personnelle, elles et ils nutilisent pas la dclaration
personnelle comme leur C.V.
Les candidatures exceptionnelles seront considres
aprs deux annes dtudes.
Queens 165 2,686 Part-time
(up to 5 spaces
available)
Three years or
more.
Completion of
undergraduate
degree is
preferred and
is required
for combined
programs.
June 2009
Highest score.
Most successful
applicants have
a cumulative
undergraduate
average of A-.
Required
from all
applicants.
General category:
Two required, at
least one must be
academic.
Aboriginal
and Access
categories: Two
required, one
academic, one
non-academic.
JD
JD Part-time
JD/MBA
MIR/JD
MPA/JD
MA (Econ)/JD
General
Aboriginal
Access (includes
disadvantaged,
disabled
and mature
applicants)
i. TOEFL required for applicants who are not uent
in English
ii. Aboriginal and Access: corroborative
documentation required for basis of claim
iii. Access Mature applicants must provide a current
resum
iv. Combined program applicants must apply to
OLSAS for JD admission and to the relevant
graduate program for the graduate admission at:
www.queensu.ca/sgs/forstudents/application.html
The following chart gives an overview of the programs. Refer to each institutions requirements
for full information.
Note: Failure to submit documentation required by an individual law school will make your
application incomplete at that institution.
Law School Requirements First Year
The following chart gives an overview of the programs. Refer to each institutions requirements
for full information.
Note: Failure to submit documentation required by an individual law school will make your
application incomplete at that institution.
Law School Requirements First Year
School Number of
Students
Admitted
in 2012
Number of
Applicants
in 2013
Academic
Year
Part-time
Half-time
Extended-time
Minimum
Undergraduate
Academic
Requirements
LSAT Academic
Minimums
Personal
Statements
Referee Forms
(Letters of
Reference)
Programs Categories Other
Toronto 199 1,892 Half-time Three years.
Almost all admitted
applicants have
completed a
four-year degree.
Test must be
taken on, or after,
June 2009.
Most successful
applicants score
160 and above.
See the
admissions
website for
further details.
A- on best
three full-time
undergraduate
years.
(Please refer
to the detailed
information on
the admissions
website.)
Required from
all applicants.
References are
not required and,
if submitted, will
not necessarily
form part of
the applicants
le at the time
of review if the
le is otherwise
complete
and ready for
consideration by
the Admissions
Committee.
JD
JD Half-time
JD/MBA
JD/MA (Crim)
JD/MA (Eco)
JD/PhD (Eco)
JD/MA (Eng)
JD/MISt
JD/MGA
JD/MA (European,
Russian & Eurasian)
JD/PhD (Phil)
JD/PhD (Poli Sc)
JD/MSW
JD/Cert.
Environmental Studies
JD/Jewish Studies
JD/MPP
JD/Cert Aboriginal
Legal Studies
JD/Cert Sexual
Diversity Studies
General
Mature
Aboriginal
Mature applicants are required to submit a
resum.
Western 165 2,642 Extended-time Three years or
more is preferred.
June 2009
General:
80
th
percentile.
Discretionary:
65
th
Percentile.
Highest score.
Most successful
applicants have a
cumulative GPA
of A-.
Required from
all applicants.
General: Two
one academic
required.
Access and
Aboriginal:
Two one
academic
required.
Mature: Two
references
required.
JD
JD/MBA
JD/Extended
General
Aboriginal
Access
Mature
TOEFL required for applicants who are not
uent in English.
Extended-time JD: Include reason(s) for
request in personal statement.
Access: Corroborative documents required.
Mature: Resum.
JD/MBA must apply concurrently to the
Richard Ivey School of Business:
www.ivey.uwo.ca.
Windsor 160
(JD)
60
(JD/JD)
2,172
(JD)
559
(JD/JD)
Half-time Three years or
more is preferred.
Most successful
applicants have
completed an
undergraduate
degree. Canadian &
American Dual JD
program requires
the completion of
an undergraduate
degree by the
beginning of
August in the year
of entry.
June 2007 Please refer to our
seven criteria.
Personal Prole
is required
from every
applicant.
One academic
reference
form and one
non-academic
reference form.
JD
JD Half-time
Canadian & American
Dual JD
MSW/JD
MBA/JD
General
Aboriginal
A Supplemental Application form is required
for the Canadian & American Dual J.D. program.
The Half-time program requires an additional
application statement.
Introduction
Lakehead University welcomes its inaugural class
in September 2013 to the newest Faculty of Law in
Ontario. The Law degree program adheres to the core
curriculum requirements established by the Federation
of Law Societies of Canada, as adopted by the Law
Society of Upper Canada. Additionally, the program
provides particular focus in areas that are integral to
rural, remote, and northern practice: entrepreneurship,
in preparation for sole and small firm practice; aspects
of Canadian law that produce a differential impact on
Aboriginal peoples; and natural resource law.
Offered at the Thunder Bay campus in the historic
Port Arthur Collegiate Institute (PACI) building, the
Juris Doctor (JD) program is designed to produce
skilled graduates who are able to work both
independently and as productive members of a legal
team; demonstrate excellent communication and
problem-solving abilities; are socially responsible
citizens; and are able to work effectively and ethically
within the Canadian legal system. Each cohort of
students admitted to Lakehead Universitys Faculty
of Law will study within an environment where issues
affecting northern and rural life are considered integral
parts of the curriculum. The first-year class will consist
of 55 students.
The Faculty of Law at Lakehead University teaches law
in a new and different way and takes full advantage
of its small class sizes. The theory of law is integrated
into the practice of law and while the core subjects
essential to a quality law program remain, they are
tied to necessary lawyer skills. Law professors work
with practitioners to create hands-on, realistic learning
opportunities for students who will learn by doing,
where their classroom instruction is applied to the
field. The objective: to best prepare students for the
practice of law.
The PACI building has stunning views from its many
classrooms that overlook Lake Superior and the
magnificent Sleeping Giant. The 100 year-old building
was carefully restored and updated to reflect the
needs of a modern Faculty of Law institution. It
contains a moot court room, a skills practice room, a
modern law library, a restorative justice room, and a
lounge area just for law students.
Thunder Bay is a major regional centre with a
population of 122,000 on the northwest shore of Lake
Superior. As the regional hub for all of northwestern
Ontario, it has the third busiest airport in Ontario,
a world-class regional health sciences centre, a
1,500-seat performing arts centre with exceptional
acoustics and a top quality aquatic sports facility.
Thunder Bay is surrounded by nature, including alpine
and Nordic ski centres within 20 minutes of the city,
and has a multitude of opportunities for camping,
hiking and canoeing.
Admissions Criteria
The Faculty of Laws Admissions Committee uses a
holistic approach to reviewing applications, taking
into consideration a number of factors in addition
to grades and Law School Admission Test (LSAT)
results. Applicants from a broad range of backgrounds,
who have demonstrated academic ability and good
potential for success, will be selected. Preference will
be given to applicants who have a genuine interest
in serving the northern and rural regions of Canada.
Academic Requirements
To be considered for admission, applicants must have
successfully completed a minimum of three years
of full-time undergraduate studies at a recognized
university. Preference will be given to applicants with
an undergraduate degree. Applicants may apply in
the third or final year of their undergraduate degree
program.
A competitive applicant would have an overall
academic standing of B+/75 percent with an
A-/80 percent in the last two years of study at the
undergraduate level.
Law School Admission Test (LSAT)
All applicants are required to take the Law School
Admission Test (LSAT). The LSAT is administered
several times throughout the year in a number of
locations across Canada and the United States. For
additional information about upcoming test dates
Lakehead University
Faculty of Law
and registration for the LSAT, visit: www.lsac.org. It
is not necessary to apply to the Faculty of Law prior
to registering for the LSAT.
Lakehead University does not set a minimum LSAT
score. The weight given to the LSAT varies depending
on the fulfillment of other elements of the application.
Applicants must take the LSAT no later than February
2014. However, in order to have the score reports
available for the first round of offers, applicants are
highly encouraged to write the LSAT no later than
October 2013. If applicants complete the LSAT more
than once, the highest test result reported by the Law
School Admission Service in the year of application is
used for admission. LSAT scores within the past five
years may be used (back to 2009).
Personal Statement
All applicants must complete the Personal Statement
with their OLSAS application. The Personal
Statement provides applicants with the opportunity
to demonstrate to the Admissions Committee
their strengths, capabilities and achievements that
distinguish them as a desirable applicant to the
Faculty of Law at Lakehead University. The Personal
Statement can include information about what led the
applicant to make the decision to apply to study law,
preparedness for the study of law, future aspirations
after graduation, as well as the applicants particular
interest in Lakehead University and the Faculty of
Law. Applicants may wish to include information
about any anomalies with their academic performance,
highlight non-academic achievements, and any special
circumstances that have contributed to, or adversely
affected, their academic and non-academic success.
The members of the Admissions Committee will
consider the Personal Statement in the context of the
rest of the application. It must be authored entirely by
the applicant and must not exceed 8,000 characters
in length.
References
All applicants must provide at least two letters
of reference: one academic and one may be
non-academic; however, two academic references
are preferred. Applicants should carefully consider
the selection of their referees. Referees should have
extensive personal knowledge of the applicant in
order to make statements concerning the applicants
character, personal qualities, academic competencies,
employment performance, volunteer contributions and
other areas that may be of interest to the Admissions
Committee.
Letters of reference must be confidential and
submitted directly by the referee to OLSAS. Applicants
should arrange for their referees to use the OLSAS
Confidential Reference Forms that are provided with
the application.
Transcripts
Official transcripts are required for all postsecondary
institutions attended, including transcripts from studies
as a visiting or exchange student. All transcripts are
to be ordered by the applicant and sent directly to
OLSAS from the host institution. Current and previous
Lakehead University students are required to request
and send official transcripts to OLSAS.
Entrance Scholarships
Entrance scholarships are given to top applicants at
the time of notification of admission decisions. These
scholarships are based on a formula combining LSAT
scores and cumulative averages. Applicants are not
required to apply for entrance scholarships. Some
entrance scholarships from generous donors are
based on further criteria that is determined by an
applicants overall application. In such cases, separate
applications are not required.
Bursary application forms are provided to all admitted
students in the months preceding the start of classes.
Bursaries are awarded based on financial need.
Language Proficiency
An excellent command of spoken and written English
is essential for success. Applicants whose native
language is not English, and who cannot verify having
studied in an English-language school system for more
than three (3) full years, will be required to present
proof of English-language proficiency by achieving
appropriate standing on one of the following tests:
TOEFL (internet-based)
Minimum Score: 103
Minimum Individual Scores: Writing 28,
Speaking 28, Reading 24, Listening 23
IELTS
Minimum Score: 7
Minimum Individual Scores: Writing 7, Speaking
7, Reading 6.5, Listening 6.5
Foreign and Private Universities
Applicants educated outside of Canada or the United
States, who have obtained a degree, or are working
towards the completion of an undergraduate degree
from a foreign country, must have all official transcripts
translated (if applicable) and evaluated by World
Education Services (WES) or an equivalent service.
A course-by-course evaluation specifying Canadian
degree, grade and credit hour equivalency is required.
Applicants are responsible for the costs associated
with the evaluation and any required translation. WES
reports are not needed for course work completed
on exchange or letter of permission if transfer credits
for courses are recorded on the home university
transcript.
Application Categories
There are three major categories of admission in the
first year of the JD program: General, Aboriginal and
Access.
General Applicants
The General category is to be used by all applicants to
the first-year JD program, unless applicants feel that
they qualify to apply under the Access or Aboriginal
(First Nations, Mtis and Inuit) categories.
Aboriginal (First Nations, Mtis and Inuit)
Applicants
Lakehead University is committed to increasing
Aboriginal peoples access to legal education.
Applications from Aboriginal peoples are welcomed
and encouraged. Under the Aboriginal category,
applicants must be of indigenous ancestry: First
Nations, Mtis or Inuit. Aboriginal applicants may
apply under the General category if desired. Aboriginal
applicants are required to submit a letter of status
from either a band council or Aboriginal organization
to support their application under this category.
Aboriginal applicants are requested to outline in
their personal statement their relationship to their
community, including how they have contributed to,
are connected to, and identify with, their community.
Access Category
Lakehead encourages applications from candidates with
diverse backgrounds or experiences. The Admissions
Committee will consider an applicant whose academic
performance has been significantly affected, delayed
or interrupted by some proven disadvantage under the
Access category. The barriers may include, but are not
limited to, cultural, financial, and physical or learning
disabilities. Applicants are required to describe how
the disadvantage has affected their academic record
as part of the Personal Statement, and must provide
supporting references and documentation. Mature
applicants in the Access category should provide a
detailed resum of their previous and current work,
and other related experience.
Application Procedures
All applications must be submitted to OLSAS.
The application deadline for the JD program is
November 1, 2013. Applicants must ensure their
application materials and supporting documentation
are sent to OLSAS. Applications that are incomplete
will not be considered. All files must contain the
following:
1. OLSAS application
2. Official transcripts for all postsecondary
institutions attended
3. Personal statement
4. Official LSAT scores
5. References
6. Supporting evidence, where necessary
Inquiries
Please direct all OLSAS-related inquiries directly to
OLSAS (i.e., application submissions and document
receipts) at:
Telephone: 519-823-1063
Website: www.ouac.on.ca/olsas/
Information regarding the program and admission
requirements should be directed to Lakehead
Universitys Faculty of Law:
Telephone: 807-346-7862
Email: law@lakeheadu.ca
Website: http://law.lakeheadu.ca
In Person or by Mail:
Faculty of Law
Lakehead University
955 Oliver Road
Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5E1
Introduction
Founded in 1889 and now one of the largest common
law law schools in the country, York Universitys
Osgoode Hall Law School has led the most important
developments in Canadian legal education. Our
commitment to excellence, along with our leadership
role in legal education and research, and our belief in
the essential role of law in society, make Osgoode a
truly great law school.
Our internationally recognized, full-time faculty
members are the strongest in the country. Our adjunct
professors, primarily drawn from the Toronto Bar,
are also gifted teachers and practitioners. Together,
we are an engaged community with professors and
students encouraging a positive and supportive
learning environment through interaction inside and
outside the classroom.
Our diverse and talented students embody a variety
of academic, social, cultural and work experiences
that add to the richness of our Juris Doctor (JD)
program. Unparalleled in Canada, our program
spans the spectrum in terms of range, coverage and
diversity of perspectives. For greater detail about
our faculty, students and programs, including our
Experiential Education and Exchange programs, visit:
www.osgoode.yorku.ca.
We take enormous pride in the accomplishments
of our 15,000 alumni who include Chief Justices,
judges, cabinet members, legal professionals and
academics, as well as business and community leaders.
Our graduates personify the spirit of service to society
articulated in our motto, Through Law to Justice.
Mission Statement
Osgoode Hall Law Schools admissions policy and
procedure stresses excellence and equity. We admit an
outstanding class of students whose academic abilities,
varied experiences and sustained engagement make
a continuing social and intellectual contribution to the
Law School, the legal profession and the community.
Our admissions policy identifies a diverse and
exceptional group of students with a commitment to
excellence, demonstrated through academic and other
contributions to society. Together with our renowned
faculty and dedicated staff, these students form a
vibrant intellectual community that contributes to
Osgoodes international reputation for leadership in
legal education, thoughtful and creative scholarship,
and the promotion of social justice. We encourage our
students, as part of their education, to be critically
aware of, and intimately involved in, access to justice
and the advancement of the public interest. Through
diverse career paths, our students develop into leaders
in all areas of professional and public life.
Osgoodes historical and contemporary role in
diversifying and reshaping the legal profession is
second to none. Our admissions policy recognizes,
fosters and celebrates excellence and equity. We
consider academic and LSAT results, significant
achievements, and the ways in which social inequality
affects students with a demonstrated capacity who
wish to pursue a legal education. Our admissions
policy encourages students to identify any barriers
that they face in seeking to enter the legal profession.
We place a priority on opening doors to communities
that traditionally have been under-represented in
the legal profession. In creating each class we look
for those who can demonstrate not only intellectual
achievement, but also a passion for learning and
service. We welcome applications from individuals
who have demonstrated, through the length and
quality of their non-academic experience, an ability
to successfully complete the JD program.
First-Year Applicants
General Applicants
The General category is to be used by all applicants
to the first-year JD program (or one of the joint
programs) unless applicants feel that they qualify to
apply in the Aboriginal category.
General Academic Requirement
To be eligible for consideration, applicants must
ordinarily have successfully completed a minimum of
three full years at a recognized university in a program
leading to a degree (90 credit hours of study).
Osgoode Hall Law School of
York University
Admission decisions are made on the basis of a holistic
assessment of the entire file (in line with the objectives
of Osgoodes admission policy, as stated in the Mission
Statement), successful applicants generally have an
A- average overall and an LSAT in the 80
th
percentile,
or better. Significantly stronger results on the LSAT
or the CGPA may compensate for a less competitive
LSAT or CGPA.
Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis. As
such, we encourage applicants to take the LSAT
before the February test date. In addition, applicants
should note that decisions may be made before final
transcripts are issued.
The above requirements are for eligibility purposes
only. Meeting them does not guarantee admission.
Applicants With Less Than Three Years of
University
Osgoode welcomes applications from individuals
who have demonstrated, through the length and
quality of their non-academic experience, an ability
to successfully complete the JD program.
Applicants who have not attended university or have
less than three years of university (as of June 1 of the
year of admission), and are at least 26 years of age
(as of September 1 of the year of admission), and have
a minimum of five years of non-academic experience,
are eligible to apply.
Minimum age and non-academic experience must
be met as of September 1 of the year of admission.
Aboriginal Canadian Applicants
Osgoode Hall Law School is concerned that Aboriginal
people do not have substantial representation in the
legal profession and, accordingly, strongly encourage
applications from such candidates. Applicants
must provide some form of documentation that
corroborates their identification with, and connection
to, their Aboriginal community.
The Admissions Committees decision to admit a
candidate ultimately depends on its judgment of
the candidates ability to successfully complete law
school. At times the Committee may determine
it has insufficient evidence to definitively decide
whether an offer of admission can be made. In such
a case, admission to Osgoode Hall Law School may
be made conditional upon successful completion of
the Program of Legal Studies for Native People at
the University of Saskatchewan, which provides a
law school preparation program during the summer
preceding the first year of the JD program.
Applicants who are offered a non-conditional
acceptance are not required by Osgoode to complete
the summer program at Saskatchewan, as a condition
of entry into first year. For more information about the
Program of Legal Studies for Native People, interested
applicants are encouraged to write to the Native Law
Centre at the University of Saskatchewan.
All applicants to first year are required to take the Law
School Admission Test (LSAT). Osgoode considers
an applicants highest result as reported by the Law
School Admission Council in the year of application.
LSAT scores for the past five years (i.e., back to, and
including, June 2009) may be used. All applicants
must complete the LSAT no later than February 2014.
Personal Statement
All applicants must complete the Application
Supplemental Information and Personal Statement.
The purpose of the Personal Statement is to provide
information to the Admissions Committee that will
assist in making an informed and thoughtful decision
(see the Personal Statement section on page 18 for
details).
Confidential References
All applicants must provide at least two letters of
reference (academic or non-academic). At least one
academic letter is preferred.
Applicants should select referees who have extensive
personal knowledge of them and are in a position to
make statements concerning their character, personal
qualities, academic capabilities, performance in an
employment and/or volunteer capacity, and special
circumstances, if applicable.
Letters of reference must be confidential and must
be submitted directly by the referee to OLSAS.
Transcripts
Official transcripts are required for all postsecondary
study and must be sent directly to OLSAS from the
institution.
Applicants must ensure foreign credentials are the
equivalent to a recognized Canadian university degree
before applying.
An evaluation of foreign credentials (based on a
course-by-course assessment) specifying Canadian
degree, grade and credit hour equivalency from
the World Education Services (WES) is required.
In addition, proof of language proficiency must be
provided if one of the following criteria does not
apply:
The applicants first language is English; or
The applicant completed at least one year of
full-time study at an accredited postsecondary
institution in a country (or institution) where
English is the official language of instruction.
Extended-Time Program
The Extended-Time Program allows a limited number
of students whose life circumstances prevent them
from engaging in a full-time study program to reduce
their courses to approximately half the normal required
course load. The decision to admit students to the
first year of the Extended-Time Program is made
only after they have been admitted to Osgoode on
a full-time basis. Upon acceptance of their place in
the JD program, students seeking admission to this
program should submit a statement to the Admissions
Committee as soon as possible, explaining why they
are unable to carry a full course load. Students in
upper years may apply to enter the Extended-Time
Program at any time in their law studies by submitting
a written request and supporting rationale(s) to the
Assistant Dean, Students. The Admissions Committee
believes such rationales would include, but not be
limited to: pregnancy and childbirth; family obligations
such as child care or care of elderly, ill or disabled
family members; temporary or long-term student
illness or disability; and extreme financial hardship.
Decisions are normally made in July.
Personal Statement
All applicants must complete the Application
Supplemental Information and Personal Statement.
The purpose of the Personal Statement is to provide
information to the Admissions Committee that will
assist in making an informed and thoughtful decision
on the application.
Note: Aspects of the application will need to be
corroborated. Applicants should provide the names
and contact information of references for the activities
listed in the autobiographical sketch. In addition to
these verifiers, applicants should provide, as necessary,
medical documentation, proof of economic difficulties
and/or of performance considerations. Letters from
individuals with a precise knowledge of the applicants
circumstances as discussed in the personal statement
are acceptable.
The Personal Statement consists of two parts: Part A
and Part B. All applicants must complete Part A. Part
B is optional and should only be answered if one or
more of the following considerations apply:
1. Equity
Equity factors relate to systemic barriers to
equal access to educational opportunities that
candidates face.
Most often, barriers giving rise to equity concerns
will take the form of substantial discrimination on
grounds recognized in the Ontario Human Rights
Code or Osgoodes Equality Resolution (race,
ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin,
citizenship, religion, political orientation, sex, age,
marital status, sexual orientation, family status or
disability).
Economic disadvantage is also an equity factor
because it gives rise to systemic barriers to equal
access to educational opportunities.
Examples of candidate experiences:
Growing up in family circumstances that are
not conducive to educational achievement
(e.g., family size, level of parental education,
quality of support or other factors)
Growing up in a low-income community or
household
Living with physical, psychological, sensory or
learning disabilities
Overcoming substance abuse
Working substantial hours in paid employment
while a full-time student, as required by
economic circumstances
Facing discrimination or other barriers
to higher education as a recent Canadian
immigrant
Undertaking personal care-giving or other
unpaid responsibilities, as required by family
and/or economic circumstances
2. Work or Life Experience
For some applicants, work or life experience, rather
than academic achievement, is the best indicator
of their suitability and capacity for legal education.
For example, this would apply to candidates who:
did not pursue any postsecondary education; or
have been out of an academic environment
for several years.
Such candidates may wish to highlight the ways
in which their experiences demonstrate that they
possess the skills necessary to succeed in law school.
Achieving leadership roles at work
Managing the demands of full-time parenting
Overcoming personal adversities
Demonstrating commitment to life-long learning
Making significant contributions to work or
community, whether paid or unpaid
3. Performance Considerations
Circumstances or non-academic commitments
that have negatively affected a portion of an
applicants academic performance will be taken
into consideration.
Significant involvement in student government
or high-level sports
Significant health issues
Lack of accommodation for a disability that
impeded LSAT performance
Illness/death of a parent or close family member
4. Diversity
Osgoode aspires to admit an entering class that is
enriched by contributions from perspectives and
experiences that fully reflect the diversity of the
Canadian population.
Diversity factors extend beyond equity factors to
include considerations that may not be related to
systemic barriers to equal access to education.
Particular attention will be paid to exceptional
personal characteristics or experiences that are
under-represented in the Osgoode student body
or in the legal profession.
Place of residence (e.g., where one lived as
a child)
Languages understood and spoken
Cultural background
Religious or conscientious beliefs
Age
Other special skills, talents or experiences that
have produced a distinct intellectual perspective
Joint Program Options
JD/MBA Joint Program
Osgoode Hall Law School, in conjunction with York
Universitys Schulich School of Business, offers a
four-year program leading to a joint Juris Doctor/
Master of Business Administration (JD/MBA) degree.
A three-year study option is also available. This option
requires the student to begin the program in the
summer term in the MBA, and condense Year One
and Two of the program into 16 months of continuous
study. Students in the four-year joint program spend
their first year in either the Law School or the School
of Business, their second year in the first year of the
other program and the remaining two years taking
courses in both programs.
Successful applicants are asked to select the program
in which they prefer to commence their studies. While
such preferences are given utmost consideration,
the faculties of both schools reserve the right to
designate initial programs. Applicants for the joint
program must apply separately and satisfy the
entrance requirements of each program, including
writing the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) and
the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT).
For more detailed information about the program
and the Schulich application process and deadlines,
please visit the Schulich School of Business website at
www.schulich.yorku.ca or call 416-736-5060.
JD/MES Joint Program
The Juris Doctor/Master in Environmental Studies
(JD/MES) joint program, offered by Osgoode Hall
Law School and the Faculty of Environmental Studies
(FES), was established in 1974. It is the first and only
program of its kind in Canada. The purpose of the
joint program is to encourage integration of these two
critical fields and to prepare students for a range of
opportunities in environmental affairs, law or planning.
This unique program brings together one of Canadas
premier law schools with one of its most innovative
environmental studies faculties. The program draws
upon Osgoodes recognized strength in social justice,
environmental planning, and Aboriginal law, as well
as the Faculty of Environmental Studies acclaimed
leadership in interdisciplinary environmental education.
This joint program requires a minimum of three
and two thirds years of full-time study, including
full-time registration during the fall, winter and spring/
summer academic terms. Students may commence
their studies either at FES or Osgoode. In year one,
students will register full time in one faculty and
complete the first year of that facultys program. In
year two they complete the first-year program at
the other faculty. During year three and four they
register full time at Osgoode during the fall and winter
terms. They spend the summer after year three at FES,
working on their MES degree.
Students must apply and be admitted separately
to the MES and JD programs, indicating their
interest in the joint program on their applications.
Upon admission to both faculties, students are
admitted automatically to the joint program. For
more information about the JD/MES program, visit:
www.osgoode.yorku.ca/programs/jd-program/
upper-year-program/joint-combined-programs/.
JD/MA in Philosophy Joint Program
The Juris Doctor/Master of Arts in Philosophy
(JD/MA [Phil]) joint program, offered by Osgoode
Hall Law School and the Department of Philosophy at
York University, provides students with the opportunity
to develop skills and acquire knowledge at the
intersection of the naturally related disciplines of
law and philosophy. It is the only program of its kind
in Canada, and draws on Osgoodes existing strength
in legal theory and the Department of Philosophys
recognized strength in moral, political, and legal
philosophy. The program is ideal for students who
wish to pursue either further post-graduate study
and ultimately an academic career, or opportunities
in a variety of careers in legal practice.
Students must apply, meet the admission requirements,
and be admitted separately to both the JD and MA
programs, indicating their interest in the dual program.
In the first year of the program students will complete
the first year of the JD program. In the second year
they will enter the MA program on a full-time basis
and complete the course work component of the MA
degree. In the third and fourth years students will
return to the JD program, but also take an additional
graduate course in philosophy, as well as complete a
major research paper on a topic at the intersection
of law and philosophy, jointly supervised by a faculty
member in the law program and a faculty member in
the philosophy program. Successful completion of the
dual program will be validated by issuing two degrees,
one for the JD and one for the MA, and transcripts
issued in relation to the two programs will include a
clear statement of the nature of the dual program.
For more information about the JD/MA (Phil)
joint program, visit www.osgoode.yorku.ca/
programs/jd-program/upper-year-program/
joint-combined-programs/, or contact one of
the programs directors: Prof. Michael Giudice
(giudice@yorku.ca) or Prof. Francois Tanguay Renaud
(FTanguay-Renaud@osgoode.yorku.ca).
JD/BCL Dual Degree Program
Osgoode Hall Law School and the Universit de
Montral, Facult de Droit have established a program
for granting the Osgoode degree in common law and
the Montral degree in civil law for law graduates from
either institution. An Osgoode JD graduate is given
two years advanced standing toward the Montral
civil law degree and, upon successful completion
of one year of study in civil law at lUniversit de
Montral, will be awarded the Montral JD degree.
Likewise, a Montral graduate is granted two years
advanced standing at Osgoode and can obtain the
Osgoode JD degree with one year of study. Applicants
apply to their faculty in their third year of study, for
consideration to complete their fourth year at either
Osgoode or Montral. In their fourth year at either
school, students must complete, on a full-time basis,
a number of first-year courses, and then have the
option to enroll in a variety of upper-year courses.
Students selected to this program will receive bursary
funding and may also be eligible for a travel subsidy
(this funding is subject to confirmation each year from
the Department of Justice).
Student Financial Services
Osgoode Hall Law School continues to expand and
strengthen financial assistance for its students. Our
primary objective is to ensure that all students who
are admitted to the Law School have the necessary
support systems in place to complete their studies.
Student financial assistance programs are an important
part of student services at Osgoode.
1. Numerous Awards Including Scholarships,
Bursaries and Prizes
Osgoode Hall Law School is proud of its numerous
awards and is indebted to the generosity of many
donors, alumni, friends, law firms and corporations.
Financial assistance funding at Osgoode has been
buoyed by the Ontario governments gift matching
program. Today, Osgoode is pleased to have a
substantial total award endowment dedicated to
students who require financial assistance. Osgoode
offers students numerous entrance scholarships
on the basis of academic excellence and financial
need. All students who apply to Osgoode Hall Law
School are automatically eligible to be considered
for all scholarships and awards, provided they
have completed the mandatory Online Financial
Statement along with the application to law
school. Scholarships range in size from a few
thousand dollars to our most prestigious, renewable
entrance scholarships, valued at $30,000 over three
years of study. Applicants may review all of our
awards on the Osgoode Financial Services website:
financial-services/.
2. An On-Site Financial Services Office That Provides
Support and Advice
Osgoode has a fully staffed Student Financial
Services Office that is responsible for the ongoing
development and administration of Osgoodes
student financial assistance programs. We offer
advice with respect to student government loan
programs (for instance, OSAP) plus student lines
of credit, both of which are requirements for
application to our Bursary Program. As well, the
Office offers personal financial guidance and
assistance to all students with financial concerns.
To reach the Student Financial Services Office,
please contact us by phone at 416-650-8132 or
by email at: financialservices@osgoode.yorku.ca.
3. Comprehensive Bursary Program
Osgoode fully understands the increasing financial
shortfalls and mounting debt that students
entering law school face today. For this reason,
in 20132014, Osgoode anticipates awarding
more than $3 million in bursaries to students
with financial need. The advantage of bursaries
is that they are non-repayable and will therefore
prove helpful in offsetting student debt. Numerous
bursaries are available to students on the basis of
documented financial need. Students apply online
for bursaries in early September and allocations
are made in November. Decisions are made
based on a variety of individual circumstances,
including accumulated educational debt, interest
payments, dependants, medical and other living
expenses. Annual bursaries may range from $1,200
to $10,000 for those students documenting the
highlest level of financial need.
4. An Expanded Bursary Initiative
Students entering Osgoode in fall 2013, can
take advantage of our Early Bursary Notification
Program that allows Osgoode, at the time of
acceptance, to conservatively estimate if they
qualify for some amount of bursary funding. In
order to access this program, applicants must
complete the Online Financial Statement at
the time of their application to law school and
must have accumulated educational debt. Early
information about bursary funding will allow
applicants to make a decision about attending law
school based on good financial planning. Students
who do not receive early bursary letters are still
strongly encouraged to apply to Osgoodes regular
Bursary Program in September.
In order to receive bursary funding in the fall
semester, applicants will need to complete the
Online Application to Osgoodes regular Bursary
Program. This includes the following: submitting
the application by the deadline in September;
updating their financial information; completing
the requirements for government funding and for
a student line of credit; and providing the back-up
documentation necessary for awarding bursaries
in November.
5. Osgoode/Royal Bank Student Financial
Option Program
Osgoode Hall Law School enjoys a special
arrangement with a local branch of the Royal
Bank of Canada (RBC), which offers an innovative
loan program specially tailored to our students.
The loan program presents Osgoodes students
with a full range of banking services, including
easier access to, and favourable interest rates
on, a student line of credit along with valuable
professional advice.
Depending on their level of debt, applicants may
receive a professional student line of credit of up
to $80,000 over the three years of law school
and one year of articles (which RBC considers
a year of study). It is possible to negotiate more
funding from RBC on an individual basis. As well,
RBC will provide one-on-one professional financial
counselling services throughout the students
three years at Osgoode and beyond. For added
convenience, an RBC representative will be on-site
at Osgoode for the first week of the fall semester
and at specific times during the course of the
year in order to provide advice and service to
students with financial concerns. Please note
that for bursary application purposes, Osgoode
will recognize a student line of credit from any
financial institution.
Online Financial Statement
Please note that applicants are asked to complete the
Online Financial Statement as part of the application
to Osgoode Hall Law School. The information
provided will have no bearing on the merits of the
application or their eligibility to enter law school.
Rather, the Financial Statement is required for all
first-year entering students who wish to be considered
for entrance scholarships and the Early Bursary
Notification Program. If applicants do not complete
the Online Financial Statement at the same time
as their application to law school, they will not be
considered for entrance scholarships or the Early
Bursary Notification Program.
To complete the Online Financial Statement, please visit:
financial-services/incoming/.
For additional information about Student Financial
Services at Osgoode, please read the detailed
information that appears on our Student Financial
Services website: www.osgoode.yorku.ca/programs/
jd-program/financial-services/.
Upper-Year Admission Programs
All upper-year applications, including National
Committee on Accreditation (NCA) applications, are
due on May 1, 2014. Decisions on transfer, letter of
permission and NCA applications are normally made
in July. Applicants must submit all documentation
directly to OLSAS. Transcripts, confidential letters
of reference and NCA recommendations must be
received no later than June 30, 2014, to be considered.
The number of openings in each upper-year category
is dependent on the internal attrition rates at Osgoode
and is usually quite small. Applicants who have
been accepted to begin an upper-year program at
Osgoode and whose first language is not English may
be required to submit proof of language proficiency.
(For more information visit: www.osgoode.yorku.ca/
prospective-students/jd-program/applying/procedures/
english-proficiency/.) Upper year applicants must
complete the Upper Year Application Supplemental
Information form and Personal Statement as part of
the application in addition to providing undergraduate
transcripts and an LSAT score (where available); a
transcript of law grades and the home facultys current
grading practices (transfer, letter of permission and NCA
applicants); an academic letter of reference (transfer
and letter of permission applicants); corroborative
documents (where applicable); a letter of permission
from the home faculty (letter of permission applicants);
a copy of the NCA recommendation letter, and results
from the NCA challenge exams (NCA applicants).
Transfer and Letter of Permission Applicants
An applicant who has successfully completed a
minimum of one year at another law school may apply
to transfer to the second year of the JD program at
Osgoode Hall Law School. Transfer applicants must
have completed at least one year of a common law
program that the Admissions Committee judges to
be the substantial equivalent of Osgoodes first-year
program (including courses in Canadian Criminal
Law, Contract Law, Tort Law, Property Law, Canadian
Constitutional Law, Civil Procedure and Legal Ethics).
Transfer applicants will, upon successful completion
of all pertinent requirements, including completion of
any unmet required first-year courses, receive the JD
degree from Osgoode Hall Law School.
Students who are currently studying at another law
school may apply to enroll for a maximum of one year
at Osgoode Hall Law School on a letter of permission
basis. Although such students would be studying
at Osgoode, their work would be credited toward
their law degree at the home law school. The law
school giving the letter of permission would, of course,
reserve the right to approve the students program of
study with regard to both course load and content.
Students who are admitted on a letter of permission
basis are not eligible to transfer into Osgoodes JD
program.
Ordinarily, only students who have obtained a
minimum B average in their previous law study
are considered for admission as transfer or letter of
permission applicants. In recent years, successful
transfer students have typically had at least a B+
average in their first-year law studies. An indication
of class rank or standing should be included in
at least one reference, if it is not included on the
transcript. At least one academic reference from a
law professor who can comment on the students
abilities must be provided. The Admissions Committee
will consider a candidates complete application,
including undergraduate grades and LSAT (where
available), quality of institution, grade distribution, and
Osgoodes ability to accommodate first-year courses.
The Admissions Committee will generally make
decisions in accordance with the following priorities:
a. Up to one-half of the available positions will be
awarded to applicants on the basis of the strength
of their law school academic records to date. It
is, therefore, critical that we receive an indication
of an applicants standing relative to the rest of
his or her class.
b. No less than one-half of the available positions
will be awarded to applicants who demonstrate
compelling, compassionate circumstances that
require them to transfer to Osgoode Hall Law
School. Academic qualifications are not ignored
in this subgroup; rather, they are used to aid in
deciding between candidates who demonstrate
comparable compassionate circumstances. Within
this subgroup, priority will be given to: persons
who must re-locate to the Toronto area due to their
own medical condition or that of an immediate
family member; persons who demonstrate extreme
financial hardship occasioned by study outside
of the Toronto area; and persons who would be
separated from their dependents where separation
to date has been extensive and commuting is not
a viable option.
National Committee on Accreditation Applicants
(Quebec and Foreign-Trained Lawyers)
Osgoode Hall Law School is prepared to admit a
limited number of applicants as non-degree students
when their law studies and experience have been
assessed by the National Committee on Accreditation
(NCA). Successful applicants are admitted to
upper-year courses offered at the Law School, subject
to space availability, in order to meet the Canadian
JD equivalency requirement as set out in the letter
provided by the NCA. Students admitted in order to
meet the law course requirements set by the NCA do
not receive the Osgoode JD degree.
NCA applicants should note that interviews for
articling placement in Ontario generally take place
during the summer, one full year prior to the start of
the placement. Applicants are advised to contact the
Law Society of Upper Canada, Office of the Registrar,
to confirm procedures and deadline dates, by calling
416-947-3315.
The primary criterion for assessing applications
is the perceived likelihood that the candidate will
successfully complete the required program of study.
The Admissions Committee will consider a candidates
complete application, including the results of their
NCA Challenge Examinations and Osgoodes ability
to accommodate the candidates placement in
upper-year courses.
The Admissions Committee will generally make
decisions in accordance with the following priorities:
a. Applicants who are required to complete the
equivalent of one full year of courses (up to a
maximum of one and a half years).
b. Applicants who are required to complete less than
one year of courses.
Note: Osgoode Hall Law School does not offer
first-year courses to NCA applicants. Also, proof of
language proficiency must be provided if one of the
following criteria does not apply:
The applicants first language is English; or
The applicant completed at least one year of
full-time study at an accredited postsecondary
institution in a country (or institution) where
English is the official language of instruction.
Housing
Welcome to Osgoode Chambers
Osgoode students have access to numerous
on-campus housing options at York University. In
particular, our students have the benefit of applying to
live in Osgoode Chambers, a comfortable, convenient
and affordable home away from home, located
minutes from the Law School, and reserved for law
and graduate students. In addition to establishing
great friendships and professional relationships from
the start, this residence allows student access to
upper-year mentors who offer invaluable support
and guidance as students begin their legal studies
at Osgoode. Incoming first-year students who
firmly accept Osgoodes offer of admission are
guaranteed accommodation at Osgoode Chambers
for the full three years of study as long as they
hold a continuous 12-month lease. Students also
have the option of an eight-month lease if they
wish to live in Osgoode Chambers for their first
year only. Suites will be allocated on a first-come,
first-served basis starting in April 2013, and continuing
until June 15, 2014. For further information, visit:
www.osgoode.yorku.ca/prospective-students/
jd-program/student-life/osgoode-chambers/.
Supplemental Information For All
Applicants
Deferral of Admission
Applicants are encouraged to apply in the year in
which they wish to enroll. Requests by first-year
applicants for a one-year deferral are considered
on an individual first-come, first-served basis (after
applicants have been admitted) and are granted at
the discretion of the Assistant Dean, Students, and
the Chair of the Admissions Committee.
For more information, please email:
admissions@osgoode.yorku.ca.
Interviews
The Admissions Committee may, on occasion and
by invitation, interview an applicant in order to
assist in the selection process. It should be noted
that applicants are primarily assessed on the basis
of application documentation. Applicants may not
request a personal interview.
Reconsiderations
The Admissions Committee may reconsider an
application only in the case of a procedural anomaly
in the administrative process. Applicants must
contact the Admissions Office within 10 days of the
date of the decision and should direct inquiries to:
Note: Reconsideration of a file is based solely on the
information available at the time of the committees
original decision.
Fee Waivers
Application for a waiver of the Osgoode portion of
the application fee ($90) can be obtained by writing
to: admissions@osgoode.yorku.ca. Applicants must
demonstrate financial hardship and must provide
corroborative documentation. Requests should be
made in advance of the November 1, 2013, application
deadline in order to ensure a timely application.
Retention of Materials
All materials submitted by or on behalf of applicants
will be used solely for admission purposes and will be
kept confidential. The materials become the property
of the law school and may be destroyed following the
year for which the application is made.
Previous Applications
Osgoode does not retain applications from previous
admission cycles. Applicants must re-apply for
admission through OLSAS and must re-submit all
required documentation.
Late Applications
All application materials are due at OLSAS by
the November 1, 2013, application deadline. The
Admissions Committee strongly believes that
adhering to the deadline (with exception only for
compelling and extenuating circumstances) is the
best way to ensure fairness among all applicants.
Requests for late applications should be directed to:
False or Misleading Information
The provision of false or misleading information or
failure to provide material information will invalidate
the application and will result in immediate rejection
or in the revocation of admission and/or registration.
Inquiries
Please direct all OLSAS-related inquiries directly to
OLSAS (e.g., inquiries regarding the submission of
applications, or the receipt of documents).
Admission and application inquiries should be directed
to Osgoode Hall Law School.
Email: admissions@osgoode.yorku.ca
Telephone: 416-736-5712
Fax: 416-736-5618
Website: www.osgoode.yorku.ca
In Person or By Mail:
Osgoode Hall Law School York University
1012 Ignat Kaneff Bldg.
4700 Keele Street
Toronto ON M3J 1P3
For More Information
Osgoode invites applicants to its Fall Open House
in late September. To arrange an on-campus
visit with a student ambassador, please contact:
recruitment@osgoode.yorku.ca.
Introduction
The Common Law Section at the University of Ottawas
Faculty of Law offers students an unparalleled learning
environment. While we have rich course offerings in
all areas of the law, few law schools can match our
strength in e-commerce, intellectual property and
other areas of technology law. The law school also
provides leading programs in international law and
environmental law, as well as a strong focus on legal
issues related to social justice. Dispute resolution,
advocacy, professional responsibility and legal ethics
are also key strengths. Our location in the national
capital, within walking distance of Parliament, the
Supreme Court and various government departments
and tribunals, enhances our capacity to deliver a wide
range of specialized courses in areas of public law,
including constitutional, administrative, environmental
and Aboriginal law.
The Civil Law Section of the faculty provides the
opportunity for comparative studies and the possibility
of receiving a combined Juris Doctor/Licentiate of
Laws (JD/LLL) degree. The Common Law Sections
agreements with American Universitys Washington
College of Law and Michigan State University College
of Law allow University of Ottawa students to obtain
both a Canadian JD and an American JD in a four-year
combined program. The Juris Doctor/Master of
Business Administration (JD/MBA) program offers
students the possibility of obtaining a law degree and
an MBA degree concurrently from uOttawa. Along
with Carleton Universitys Norman Paterson School of
International Affairs, the Common Law Section offers
a combined four-year program leading to a Master
of Arts (MA) (International Affairs) and a JD degree.
Each year, our programs are revised to reflect the
interests and needs of Canadas diverse communities.
We are also home to the Human Rights Research
and Education Centre. The Centre directs various
student volunteer projects in the human rights field
and sponsors distinguished visitors. In 2003, the
Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic,
the only one of its kind in Canada, opened its doors.
We are the only law school in Canada that hosts
an active branch of Ecojustice Canada and we are
home to the Environmental Law Secretariat of the
International Union for the Conservation of Nature.
For those who wish to gain hands-on experience in
social justice, the Student Legal Aid Clinic is one of
the largest legal aid clinics in Ottawa.
Programs
JD Program
We offer two distinct programs: one in English and
one in French. The choice is up to the student! Both
programs are three years in length and lead to a
JD degree. We provide a liberal and professional
education for those intending to enter the practice
of law, government service or any career in which
knowledge of legal principles and legal process is
necessary or desirable. The French Common Law
Program is open to francophone and bilingual
applicants. Students registered in the English Common
Law Program are welcome to select courses offered
in French, if they so desire.
Canadian and American Dual JD Program
The University of Ottawa offers a unique four-year
combined program that allows participants to obtain
both the Canadian and the American law degrees.
This program is offered jointly by the University of
Ottawa and our partner schools in the United States.
Participants spend two years at Ottawa and two
years at one of two US law schools: Michigan State
University College of Law in East Lansing, Michigan,
or American University (Washington College of Law)
in Washington, D.C.
Upon completion, students obtain a law degree from
each law school, which opens the door to the full
practice of law in Canada and the United States.
The International Afairs Combined
Degrees (JD/MA Program)
The Common Law section of the University of Ottawa
and the Norman Paterson School of International
University of Ottawa
Affairs (NPSIA) at Carleton University offer a
combined four-year program leading to a Master
of Arts (International Affairs) and a JD degree. The
program is designed for students with a strong
interest in international law and relations, and provides
an excellent basis for a career in government or
the private sector, as well as advanced studies in
international affairs and international law.
By pursuing the two degrees jointly, students have
the opportunity to weave together research interests
in law and international relations, and are able to
tap into the extensive work on international affairs
and law conducted at the two institutions located
in the National Capital region. Students also reduce
their net credit load by three University of Ottawa
credits and two Carleton half courses, relative to the
credit demands applied to students studying for the
two degrees outside of the combined program. The
four-year combined program of study represents a
more compressed period than the typical three years
required to complete the JD degree and the typical
one and a half years required to complete the MA
degree.
Applicants who are interested in this combined
program must apply separately and in the same year
to the Faculty of Law at the University of Ottawa and
the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs at
Carleton University. The deadline for the MA program
is January 31, 2014.
Norman Paterson School of International Affairs
Carleton University
Colonel By Drive
Ottawa ON K1S 5B6
Telephone: 613-520-6655
The JD/MBA Program
The Common Law section and the Telfer School of
Management of the University of Ottawa offer a
combined JD/MBA program. The JD/MBA program
is designed to be completed within four years.
Admission to the JD/MBA program is decided jointly
by the Faculty of Law and the School of Management.
Applicants are first admitted into the JD portion
of the program and then make their application to
the School of Management in the first year of their
legal studies. Applicants must hold a baccalaureate
degree with at least an A- cumulative grade point
average, and satisfy the admission requirements of
both programs. Those interested should consult the
MBA calendar and the appropriate section of the
Faculty of Law calendar for additional information.
Note that the three-year professional experience
requirement of the MBA program may be waived
for exceptional students provided they complete at
least one year in the Law program and rank in the
top 50 percent of their class prior to starting the MBA
requirement of the joint program.
Admission to the combined program is competitive
and the number of applicants admitted annually
is limited. Two students enrolled in the JD/MBA
program will be eligible for a scholarship to help
finance their studies. The funds will be received only
at the beginning of the combined degree component
of the program, outside the Common Law section.
Studying Both Common Law and Civil Law
Jointly or Consecutively
While common law is practiced in the US, the UK and
most Commonwealth countries, civil law is practiced
in Quebec, most of Europe, Latin America and much
of Asia. Knowledge of both legal systems helps to
ensure access to national and international markets
in an era of globalization.
The Faculty of Law at the University of Ottawa is the
only Canadian institution that offers two complete
programs in law, one leading to the JD and the other
to the LLL. This unique bi-jural structure provides an
ideal environment to receive training in both of these
great legal traditions.
Students who have dual legal training are not only able
to practice law anywhere in Canada, but are very well
suited for the public service and are also extremely
well equipped to work in any field of international law.
Students who wish to obtain both law degrees have
two options from which to choose:
1. The Joint Stream:
Programme de droit canadien (PDC)
Students admitted to this three-year, combined
program will learn both common and civil law
jointly. This combined program is offered mainly
in French. Students must be fluent enough to
understand lectures, complete readings as well as
write examinations and papers in French. There
are only 20 positions available in this stream, which
includes several courses designed specifically for
PDC students.
2. The Consecutive Stream:
National Program (JD)
The Common Law section of the Faculty of
Law offers civil law graduates from Canadian
universities the opportunity to complete the JD
degree in a one-year program. Applicants apply to
the program after completing a civil law degree
or during the third year of their civil law studies.
Admission to the program is based on the overall
strength of the applicant, including grades,
experience, community involvement and letters
of recommendation, as well as available space. An
application is assessed only once all the required
documents are provided: a transcript of civil law
studies, a personal statement, curriculum vitae and
two letters of reference from civil law professors.
The LSAT is not required for admission into the
National Program.
University of Ottawa civil law students apply via
the Universitys internal application process. Please
visit the website: www.commonlaw.uottawa.ca.
Click National Program on the right side of the
page and follow the links to the internal application
form.
The Civil Law Section at the Faculty of Law offers a
parallel program for common law graduates leading
to the LLL degree.
Admissions
The Law School is interested in creating a vibrant
and diverse academic environment, and in preparing
competent and compassionate professionals. To
ensure that the student body represents the fullest
possible range of social, economic, ethnic and
cultural perspectives in our society, we consider many
factors. Among these are significant achievements
in extracurricular activities while at university or in
community involvement; outstanding qualities or
achievements in previous careers; linguistic, cultural
or other factors that add to an applicants overall
academic achievement; and personal success in
overcoming challenges such as a disability or financial
hardship. Any information provided will be considered
in a manner consistent with the Ontario Human Rights
Code.
There are four categories of applicants: A General
category and three Specific categories (Mature,
Aboriginal and Access). The criteria for each category
and the process for applying to each are set out below.
It is also possible to identify Special Circumstances
relevant to an application, as also explained below.
Admission is highly competitive, with more than
3,600 applications for 300 first-year places. With the
exception of mature students, all applicants must have
completed the equivalent of three years of full-time
undergraduate studies (equal to 15 courses in any
field) prior to beginning law school. The Law School
Admission Test (LSAT), a personal statement and two
reference forms are also required of all applicants. The
Admissions Committee is composed of professors,
the Manager of the Equity and Academic Success
Program and a limited number of third-year students.
Personal Statement
The Personal Statement that each candidate must
prepare is a critical part of the application, and should
be thought of as an interview with the Admissions
Committee. In reviewing Personal Statements,
committee members assess candidates according
to the following considerations:
1. Capacity for critical, creative and original thinking
2. Communication skills, including writing skills
3. Evidence of capacity to manage work load and
time
4. Ability to make a meaningful contribution to
the overall law school environment and to the
profession and the public it serves as demonstrated
by, among other things:
A record of extracurricular activities and
community involvement
Career experiences and achievements
Personal success in dealing with challenges
Diverse social, economic, ethnic, or cultural
experiences and perspectives
Awareness of and interest in specializations
and other strengths of the Facultys program
of legal education
Specific career aspirations
5. Commitment to upholding ethical standards and to
treating all members of the university community
with respect.
The information contained in personal statements
will be considered in a manner consistent with the
Ontario Human Rights Code.
Take care not to use the Personal Statement as a
resum. Instead, explain why you are interested in
studying and practicing law at the University Ottawa,
with regard to the five criteria listed above.
Mature and Aboriginal applicants must also send an
up-to-date resum or curriculum vitae to OLSAS in
addition to their personal statement.
Applicants in the Special Circumstances and Access
categories should not use their personal statement
to describe why they are applying in one of these
categories. Dedicated forms are provided for this
purpose in the application.
The Law School Admission Test (LSAT)
The LSAT is required for all persons applying to first
year, without exception.
The school does not set a minimum LSAT score
required of applicants. The weight given to the LSAT
will vary according to the other elements in each
applicants file.
Applicants who decide to write the LSAT on a date
other than the one indicated on their application
should inform OLSAS and the University of Ottawa in
writing prior to writing the test. Where an applicants
first language is not English, the LSAT, while relevant,
may carry less weight in the Admission Committees
evaluation of the application. The LSAT is not required
for upper-year applicants or for students applying to
the French Common Law Program.
It is strongly recommended that applicants write the
LSAT by December 2013; it must be written at the
latest in February 2014. Please note that the results
of the February LSAT test will not be available until
late March. An application is incomplete and not
evaluated until all documents, including the LSAT
results, are received. Applicants who write the LSAT
in February may therefore prejudice their chance of
admission. Results from an LSAT taken prior to June
2009 are not accepted.
Please note that the admissions committee will
not wait for the February LSAT score to review an
applicants file, if there is a previous score available.
Please note that files are not assessed until they are
complete and all required documents have been
provided by the applicant. The application deadline for
fall 2014 entry is November 1, 2013. Applications that
remain incomplete after May 1, 2014, will be cancelled
without further notice.
Assessment of Foreign Transcripts
studies outside Canada and the United States
must have their transcript assessed by the World
Education Services or an equivalent service. All
documentation must then be submitted through
OLSAS for consideration.
Education Equity
The Education Equity Office focuses on increasing the
participation of persons from groups such as racial
and cultural minorities, Aboriginal peoples, lesbians,
gay men, bisexuals, persons with disabilities and
economically disadvantaged persons.
The office advises the Admissions Committee,
develops recruitment and outreach strategies, and
examines the content and structure of the curriculum
to ensure that it does not perpetuate racism, sexism
or other discriminatory attitudes or approaches. This
input seeks to ensure that all students have every
opportunity to participate in the academic and social
activities offered at the Faculty of Law.
An academic support program has been developed to
assist those students whose life experiences and lack
of recent university studies may make the transition
to law school more difficult.
Students are encouraged to suggest changes both
inside and outside the classroom to ensure that
their experiences in the Common Law section are
intellectually and personally stimulating. Students
are also invited to initiate activities that will bring
their ideas and concerns to the attention of the legal
community.
Half-Time Studies
If applicants are unable to study full-time, they
can apply to complete their studies on a half-time
basis. To qualify, you must have received an offer of
admission to the full-time program. Applicants will be
required to demonstrate special circumstances that
could be accommodated by studying on a half-time
basis. These circumstances might include primary
responsibility for the care of young children or other
dependants, personal or family health difficulties, or
accommodations required to promote education
equity (e.g., considerations affecting persons who have
a physical or learning disability). Persons studying on
a half-time basis must complete their program within
six years of admission.
General Applicants
The General category is meant to be used by all
applicants to the first year of the JD program (or
one of the combined programs) unless they feel they
qualify to apply in one of the Specific categories.
Undergraduate academic performance is the most
significant factor in the evaluation process. Most
successful applicants have at least an A- average
overall.
The LSAT is mandatory for all applicants. The
University of Ottawa does not set a minimum required
score for the LSAT. However, your LSAT results and
writing sample are elements that will be considered
by the Admissions Committee. The weight given to
the LSAT will vary according to the other elements
of the application.
The personal statement is a very important part of the
application and should be written with care. Applicants
must also submit two letters of reference. While at
least one reference must be from an academic source,
it is preferable to have two academic references.
Applicants should ensure that OLSAS has received
the most recent transcripts for all your postsecondary
studies.
General Category Special Circumstances
Applicants who feel that significant one-time events
that occurred during their undergraduate studies have
affected their academic performance during a specific
academic term or year can inform the Admissions
Committee.
In order to provide the information relating to these
special circumstances, use the screen provided for that
purpose in the online application. Be sure to indicate
which academic term or terms were affected. Please
provide supporting documents where possible.
Mature Applicants
Persons with or without postsecondary studies may
be considered as mature applicants if they have five
or more years of non-full-time academic experience. In
addition to academic work and the LSAT, outstanding
qualities as evidenced by previous career and/or
life experiences are considered. Applicants in this
category must be Canadian citizens or permanent
residents.
Mature applicants must also submit an up-to-date
resum or curriculum vitae along with their personal
statement; do not use the personal statement as a
resum. They must also submit two letters of reference,
at least one of which should come from an academic
source. If they are unable to obtain a letter of reference
from an academic source, applicants should choose
references who are able to speak to their abilities as
they relate to law school, namely the ability to analyze,
write, conduct research, work in groups and organize
their time. Applicants should ensure that OLSAS has
received all their postsecondary transcripts.
Aboriginal Applicants
Persons of indigenous ancestry, First Nations, Mtis
and Inuit peoples, may apply as either General or
Specific category applicants. As Specific category
applicants, persons of indigenous ancestry who meet
the Mature category requirements may apply under
both the Mature and Aboriginal categories.
The personal statement should discuss work, personal
and community experiences, and other factors relevant
to the application. Applicants in the Aboriginal
category must also submit an up-to-date resum or
curriculum vitae along with their personal statement.
Applicants must also submit two letters of reference,
at least one of which should be from an academic
source, and proof of Aboriginal ancestry, such as
a copy of a status card or a letter from their band
council or Aboriginal organization.
The Admissions Committee may admit applicants in
the Aboriginal category unconditionally or subject to
successful completion of the Program of Legal Studies
for Native People. It is therefore crucial that Aboriginal
category applicants submit a complete file as quickly
as possible so that the Admissions Committee can
make its decision in time for eligible applicants to
begin the Program of Legal Studies for Native People
in Saskatchewan at the beginning of May.
Access Category All JD Programs
The University of Ottawa welcomes students who
have experienced inequality of a systemic, ongoing
nature or who are from groups that have experienced
identifiable social or economic barriers to education.
These students may apply in either the General or
Access category.
The factors that would support ones candidacy in
this category are based on the Ontario Human Rights
Code, which states that:
Every person has a right to equal treatment with
respect to services, goods and facilities, without
discrimination because of race, ancestry, place
of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed,
sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, same
sex partnership status, family status or disability.*
*R.S.O. 1990, c. H.19, s.1; 1999, c.6, s.28 (1); 2001, c.32,
s.27 (1).
In addition, the Admissions Committee considers
severe economic hardship to be a barrier, with
appropriate documentation.
Applicants in the Access category must provide all
information required of General category applicants,
namely a completed application form, official
transcripts of all postsecondary studies and two
letters of reference. At least one of the letters must
come from an academic source, but it is preferable
to have two academic letters of reference.
Candidates who wish to be considered in the Access
category are required to explain the reasons for
applying in this category. This explanation should
be provided in the screen of the online application
identified for this purpose. Access category applicants
may also wish to refer to the reasons for applying
in this category in their personal statement, as
appropriate. The entire application will be reviewed
in light of the information provided. Applicants in the
Access category who wish to have their academic
profile or LSAT performance assessed in relation to the
reasons for applying in this category are encouraged
to provide supporting documentation.
Applicants who apply in the Access category on
account of inequality or barriers related to disability
are invited to provide more specific information from a
health care professional about capacities and potential
accommodation. Information about this, and a form
that can be used, are available on the Faculty website:
www.commonlaw.uottawa.ca. Applicants may also be
contacted after applications are received to provide
more specific formation.
Note to Upper-Year Applicants
Upper-year applicants are not required to select a
category.
The application deadline is May 1 for all upper-year
applicants. Files are not assessed until they are
complete and all required documents have been
provided. As the number of spaces available is limited,
any delay in completing an application can prejudice
admission. Files that are still incomplete as of August1
will be closed without further notice.
Transfer Applicants
Transfer applications into the second year of the JD
program will be accepted only from students who
have successfully completed the first year of the JD
program in a Canadian common law school. Students
who have undertaken or completed their legal studies
outside of Canada cannot apply in this category.
Transfer applicants must explain why they want to
study at the University of Ottawa. The personal
statement should be used to describe personal,
academic and/or professional reasons why they wish
to continue law studies in Ottawa. Applicants who
have compelling circumstances that make it difficult to
be away from Ottawa will be given priority. Applicants
must also submit their official law school transcripts,
two letters of reference, including at least one from
a law professor, as well as a letter from the Dean of
the current law school attesting that the student is in
good standing and has not been the subject of any
disciplinary actions. LSAT results are not required for
transfer applicants.
Letter of Permission
Students who wish to complete one semester or
one full year of their law studies at the University of
Ottawa as visiting students, with the permission of
their law school, can apply in this category.
The personal statement should be used to describe
personal, academic and professional reasons why
applicants wish to study at the University of Ottawa.
Applicants who have compelling circumstances that
make it difficult to be away from Ottawa will be given
priority.
Applicants in this category must submit their official
law school transcripts, two letters of reference,
including at least one from a law professor, as well
as a letter from the Dean of the current law school
attesting that the student is in good standing and
has not been the subject of any disciplinary actions.
LSAT results are not required for letter of permission
applicants.
National Committee on Accreditation (NCA)
Applicants
Persons with a completed law degree from Quebec or
from a foreign jurisdiction who wish to be admitted
to the practice of law in a Canadian common
law jurisdiction can apply for an assessment of
the equivalency of their legal studies to the NCA
(established by the Committee of Canadian Law Deans
and the Canadian Federation of Law Societies).
For further information please write directly to:
1810 45, rue OConnor Street
Ottawa ON K1P 1A4
Telephone: 613-236-1700
Email: nca@flsc.ca
Website: www.flsc.ca/fr/
Applicants who have received advanced standing from
the NCA may submit an application to the faculty
in this category. Persons to whom the NCA has not
granted advanced standing must apply as first-year
students and complete the three-year JD program in
order to practice law in Canada.
Persons applying to do course work required by the
NCA should use the personal statement to explain why
they wish to complete their courses at the Faculty of
Law at the University of Ottawa. A copy of the NCA
assessment must be sent directly from the NCA, and
two letters of reference, one of which should come
from an academic source. The LSAT is not required
for applicants in this category. If an official NCA
assessment is provided, applicants are not required
to send original transcripts from outside Ontario.
Please note: The file of NCA applicants whose
assessment from the NCA or whose final grades
from their last year of law studies are not available
by June 15, 2014, will be cancelled.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
The Common Law section of the Faculty of Law at the
University of Ottawa offers a number of scholarships
and bursaries for first-year students. While some
require an application, others are offered automatically.
Financial aid for law students comes from a variety
of sources. For complete information about financial
aid and applications, please consult the University
of Ottawas website at www.scholarships.uottawa.ca
or write to:
Financial Aid and Awards Service
85 University, Room 102
Ottawa ON K1N 6N5
Website: www.pretsetbourses.uottawa.ca
Email: loansandawards@uottawa.ca
Late Applications
Requests to submit late applications must be made in
writing to the Admissions Committee. Please include
the reason for the request. Extensions of application
deadlines are rarely granted.
Application Fee Waivers
Applicants to the University of Ottawa who are in
financial difficulty may request a waiver of the $90
fee. The basic criterion for granting a waiver is the
inability to pay. Requests will be assessed via a fee
waiver application form obtained directly from the
Law School. No other fees will be waived. No waivers
will be granted retroactively. Please visit our website at
www.commonlaw.uottawa.ca for the most up-to-date
information.
To obtain a waiver form, write to:
Admissions Office
Faculty of Law
Common Law Section
57 Louis Pasteur Street, Room 221
Ottawa ON K1N 6N5
Information
Telephone: 613-562-5800, ext. 3270
Fax: 613-562-5124
Email: comlaw@uottawa.ca
Website: www.commonlaw.uottawa.ca
Universit dOttawa
Introduction
La Facult de droit de lUniversit dOttawa offre
un milieu dapprentissage unique. Nous offrons un
riche ventail des cours dans tous les domaines du
droit. Trs peu de facults de droit se comparent
la ntre dans les secteurs dexpertise du commerce
lectronique, de la proprit intellectuelle et des
autres domaines du droit et de la technologie. Notre
Facult offre en outre des programmes exceptionnels
en droit international et en droit de lenvironnement,
auxquels sajoute un volet de questions juridiques
fort intressantes lies la justice sociale. La
rsolution de diffrends, les techniques de plaidoirie,
la responsabilit professionnelle et lthique juridique
sont galement des matires cls dispenses dans
notre facult. Notre emplacement privilgi au cur
de la capitale nationale, distance de marche du
Parlement, de la Cour suprme ainsi que des diffrents
ministres et tribunaux fdraux, nous assure les
ressources ncessaires afin doffrir un grand choix de
cours spcialiss en droit public, notamment dans les
secteurs du droit constitutionnel, du droit administratif,
du droit de lenvironnement et du droit autochtone.
La Section de droit civil de la Facult vous permet
de faire des tudes compares ou de vous inscrire
au programme combin de Juris Doctor/Licentiate of
Laws (J.D.-LL.L.) Grce des ententes conclues avec le
Washington College of Law de lAmerican University et
avec le College of Law de la Michigan State University,
vous pouvez choisir le programme combin de quatre
ans menant au grade canadien de J.D. et au grade
amricain de J.D. Dautres programmes permettent
dobtenir conjointement le grade de J.D. ainsi que
le grade de Matrise en administration des affaires
(M.B.A.) de lUniversit dOttawa ou le grade de
Matre s arts (M.A.) de la Norman Paterson School of
International Affairs (NPSIA) de la Carleton University.
Nos programmes sont revus chaque anne, en tenant
compte des intrts et des besoins des diverses
communauts canadiennes.
La Facult abrite galement le Centre de recherche
et denseignement sur les droits de la personne.
Ce Centre dirige diffrents projets entrepris par
des tudiants bnvoles en matire des droits de
la personne. Le Centre accueille notamment des
spcialistes de marque. En 2003, la Clinique dintrt
public et de politique dinternet du Canada, la seule
de son genre au pays, a ouvert ses portes. Nous
sommes la seule facult au Canada accueillir une
branche active dcojustice Canada en plus dabriter
le Secrtariat en droit de lenvironnement de lUnion
internationale pour la conservation de la nature. Pour
les personnes qui dsirent obtenir une exprience
plus pratique en justice sociale, la Clinique juridique
communautaire, gre par les tudiants et tudiantes,
est lune des plus grandes cliniques daide juridique
dOttawa.
Les programmes
Programme J.D.
La Section de common law offre deux programmes
parallles de trois ans menant au J.D., un en franais
et lautre en anglais. Nous offrons une formation
librale et professionnelle lintention des personnes
dsireuses dexercer le droit, duvrer dans la fonction
publique, ou dans diffrentes autres carrires o
la connaissance des principes juridiques et de la
procdure juridique est ncessaire ou souhaitable. Le
programme franais est ouvert aux francophones et
aux personnes bilingues. Le but du programme est
de former des juristes comptents, capables de servir
les communauts francophones de lOntario et des
autres provinces de common law de faon efficace.
Les personnes admises au programme de common law
en franais doivent suivre tous les cours de premire
anne, tous les cours obligatoires du programme
et 75 p. cent des crdits optionnels de deuxime et
troisime annes en franais. De plus, elles doivent
faire tous les travaux et les examens imposs dans
ces cours ainsi que le tribunal cole en franais.
Veuillez noter que bien que lenseignement se fasse
en franais, il nest pas rare que les manuels soient
en anglais. Il est donc essentiel davoir une bonne
connaissance de langlais pour russir.
Programme de double grade J.D.
canadien et amricain
LUniversit dOttawa offre un programme combin
unique, dune dure de quatre ans, pour les personnes
qui dsirent une formation en droit canadien et
amricain.
Ce programme prvoit deux annes dtudes
lUniversit dOttawa et deux annes dtudes soit
au College of Law de la Michigan State University,
East Lansing au Michigan, soit au Washington College
of Law de lAmerican University, Washington, D.C.
Au terme de ce programme, chaque facult dcerne
un grade en droit. Cette formation ouvre la porte la
pratique du droit aux tats-Unis et au Canada.
Programme de J.D.-M.A.
(Afaires internationales)
La Section de common law de lUniversit dOttawa
et la Norman Paterson School of International
Affairs (NPSIA) de la Carleton University offrent un
programme combin dtudes de quatre ans menant
la matrise s arts (Affaires internationales) et
au J.D. Conu pour les personnes ayant un intrt
particulier pour le droit international et les relations
internationales, ce programme assure une excellente
formation pour les carrires au sein de la fonction
publique ou dans le secteur priv, ainsi que pour
des tudes approfondies en droit international ou en
relations internationales.
En se prparant ces deux grades conjointement,
ltudiante ou ltudiant peut agencer ses intrts de
recherche en droit et en relations internationales et
tirer parti des nombreux travaux en matire daffaires
internationales et du droit international men par ces
deux institutions situes dans la capitale nationale.
Ce choix permet aussi de rduire la charge scolaire
des deux grades pris sparment, de trois crdits
lUniversit dOttawa et de deux cours et demi
la Carleton University. Ce programme de quatre
ans diminue aussi le temps normalement requis pour
lobtention des deux grades : trois ans pour le J.D. et,
en rgle gnrale, un an et demi pour le M.A.
Une demande dadmission doit tre prsente
respectivement la NPSIA de la Carleton University et
la Section de common law de la Facult de droit de
lUniversit dOttawa. Chaque institution doit accepter
la demande en appliquant ses critres respectifs. La
date limite pour sinscrire au programme de matrise
(M.A.) est le 31 janvier 2014.
Norman Paterson School of International Affairs
Carleton University
Promenade Colonel By
Ottawa (Ontario) K1S 5B6
Tlphone : 613-520-6655
Programme combin de J.D.-M.B.A.
La Section de common law et lcole de gestion
Telfer de lUniversit dOttawa offrent conjointement
le programme de J.D.-M.B.A. La dure prvue du
programme combin de J.D.-M.B.A. est de quatre ans.
Ladmission au programme est une dcision conjointe
de la Facult de droit et de lcole de gestion. Les
tudiants sont admis premirement au J.D. et ensuite
font demande au programme du M.B.A. Telfer pendant
leur premire anne en droit. Pour y tre admissible,
il faut dtenir un grade de baccalaurat, obtenu avec
une moyenne pondre cumulative dau moins A- ;
il faut aussi satisfaire aux exigences dadmission des
deux programmes dtudes. Les personnes intresses
doivent consulter lannuaire du programme de M.B.A.
et la section approprie de lannuaire de la Facult de
droit pour de plus amples dtails. Veuillez noter quune
drogation lexigence de trois annes dexprience
professionnelle du programme de M.B.A. est possible
dans des cas exceptionnels pour la personne qui
complte au moins une anne de droit et qui se classe
dans le deuxime quartile de sa promotion avant de
commencer le programme de M.B.A.
Ladmission ce programme est concurrentielle et les
admissions annuelles sont limites. Deux personnes
inscrites au programme combin de J.D.-M.B.A seront
admissibles recevoir une bourse pour aider financer
leurs tudes. Les fonds seront verss uniquement au
moment de commencer le volet dtudes lextrieur
de la Section de common law.
tudier la common law et le droit civil
conjointement ou conscutivement
Alors que la common law est le rgime de droit en
vigueur aux tats-Unis, au Royaume-Uni et dans la
plupart des pays du Commonwealth, le droit civil est
le rgime en vigueur au Qubec, dans la majeure
partie de lEurope, en Amrique latine et en Asie
gnralement. La connaissance de ces deux systmes
de droit facilite laccs aux marchs nationaux et
internationaux en cette re de mondialisation.
La Facult de droit de lUniversit dOttawa est le
seul tablissement denseignement canadien offrir
des programmes de droit complets pour lobtention,
respectivement, du J.D. et de la LL.L. Cette structure
bijuridique unique assure un milieu idal pour une
formation dans ces deux grandes traditions de droit.
Les personnes possdant cette double formation
en droit sont comptentes non seulement pour la
pratique du droit partout au Canada, pour la fonction
publique mais elles sont en outre bien munies pour le
travail dans tous les domaines du droit international.
Les personnes qui dsirent obtenir les deux grades
en droit ont deux choix :
1. La formation conjointe : Programme de droit
canadien (PDC)
Les personnes admises ce programme combin
de trois ans sont formes simultanment en
common law et en droit civil. Ce programme est
offert principalement en franais. Il exige une
matrise suffisante du franais et de langlais
pour suivre les cours, faire des lectures, rpondre
aux examens et rdiger des travaux en franais
et en anglais. Linscription est contingente
20 personnes. Un certain nombre de cours
bijuridiques sont propres ce programme.
2. La formation conscutive Programme
national (J.D.)
La section de common law de la Facult de droit
offre aux diplms en droit civil des universits
canadiennes, lopportunit dobtenir le grade J.D.
en une seule anne scolaire. La demande peut se
faire suite lobtention du diplme de droit civil
ou durant la 3
e
anne des tudes de droit civil.
Ladmission ce programme est dtermine en
tenant compte de la force gnrale du dossier,
y compris les rsultats scolaires, lexprience,
lengagement communautaire, les lettres de
recommandation ainsi que les places disponibles.
Ltude de la candidature commence seulement
lorsque le dossier est complet. Le relev de notes,
la dclaration personnelle, un curriculum vitae et
les lettres de recommandation de professeurs
de droit civil sont les documents requis pour
complter la demande dadmission. Le Law School
Admission Test (LSAT) nest pas une exigence de
ladmission au Programme national. Le programme
national est un programme bilingue. Les cours
obligatoires sont offerts dans la langue dtermine
chaque anne par la facult, mais loption de la
langue sapplique aux cours au choix.
Les personnes qui ont obtenu le grade LL.L.
lUniversit dOttawa ou qui sont prsentement
inscrites en 3
e
anne du LL.L. lUniversit
peuvent utiliser le formulaire de demande
dadmission interne. Veuillez consulter le site Web :
www.commonlaw.uottawa.ca. Suivez les liens du
Programme national droite de la page web.
La Section de droit civil de la Facult de droit offre un
programme similaire lintention des juristes diplms
de common law qui dsirent obtenir le grade de LL.L.
Admissions
La Facult de droit sefforce doffrir un milieu
scolaire stimulant et vari pour la prparation de
juristes comptents et sensibles aux besoins de leur
communaut. Dsireux davoir un corps tudiant
qui reflte le plus fidlement possible toutes les
composantes sociales, conomiques, ethniques et
culturelles de notre socit, le Comit dadmission
tient compte de divers facteurs au moment de
lvaluation des demandes. Parmi ceux-ci, on retrouve
les ralisations parascolaires importantes en milieu
universitaire, lengagement communautaire, les
qualits ou les accomplissements professionnels
exceptionnels, la langue, la culture ou tout autre
lment qui ajoute au mrite gnral de la candidature.
Le Comit considre en outre le succs personnel
surmonter des dfis comme une dficience ou
une situation financire difficile. Les candidates et
candidats peuvent utiliser la dclaration personnelle
pour commenter les aspects de leur vie relis leur
intrt pour ltude du droit. Tout renseignement fourni
sera examin en conformit avec les dispositions du
Code des droits de la personne de lOntario.
Il existe quatre catgories de candidats : une
catgorie gnrale et trois catgories spcifiques
(adulte, autochtone et accs). Les critres applicables
chacune de ces catgories et les modalits
relatives aux demandes de candidature dans chaque
catgorie figurent ci-dessous de mme que les
conditions dadmission la catgorie circonstances
particulires.
LUniversit dOttawa reoit, au total, plus de 250
demandes dadmission pour une classe de 60 chaque
anne pour le programme du J.D. rgulier, soit plus que
toute autre Facult de droit au Canada. La moyenne
dadmission au programme franais, base sur les
rsultats scolaires universitaires, se situe lgrement
au-dessus des 80 p. cent.
lexception des candidates et candidats adultes,
tous doivent avoir termin trois annes dtudes
universitaires temps complet (lquivalent de 15
pleins cours) dans nimporte quel domaine, pour
tre admissible en common law. Veuillez noter
que seules les candidatures exceptionnelles seront
examines aprs seulement deux annes dtudes
universitaires. Nous vous encourageons fortement
terminer votre programme dtudes universitaires
avant dentreprendre des tudes en droit. Chaque
personne doit aussi soumettre une dclaration
personnelle, deux lettres de recommandation dont
une dune source acadmique et des relevs de notes
officiels pour toutes les tudes post secondaires. Le
LSAT nest pas requis pour ladmission au programme
franais.
La dclaration personnelle
La dclaration personnelle que chaque candidate ou
candidat doit prparer constitue une partie essentielle
de la demande dadmission; il faut la considrer un
peu comme une entrevue avec le comit dadmission.
lexamen des dclarations personnelles, les membres
du comit valuent les candidatures daprs les
aspects suivants :
1. Capacit de dmontrer un esprit critique, cratif
et original
2. Aptitudes la communication, y compris
comptences de rdaction en franais
3. Cheminement acadmique en franais et raisons
de vouloir tudier la common law en franais
lUniversit dOttawa
4. Capacit manifeste pour la gestion du temps et
de la charge de travail
5. Capacit de faire une contribution importante la
Facult de droit et dans la profession en gnral,
ainsi que par rapport au public cible, comme en
font foi les aspects suivants, entre autres :
Un dossier dactivits parascolaires et
dengagement communautaire
Des expriences et des ralisations
professionnelles
Succs personnel en rponse des dfis
Diverses expriences et perspectives sociales,
conomiques, ethniques et culturelles
Connaissance des spcialisations et autres
domaines de spcialit du programme de
formation juridique de la Facult et intrt
manifeste pour ces domaines
Aspirations de carrire prcises
6. Engagement respecter des normes
dontologiques et traiter avec respect tout
membre de la communaut universitaire.
Les renseignements fournis dans la dclaration
personnelle seront examins et traits en conformit
aux exigences du Code des droits de la personne de
lOntario.
Il convient de ne pas traiter la dclaration personnelle
comme un curriculum vitae. Il faut plutt sen servir
pour expliquer les raisons qui vous incitent tudier le
droit lUniversit dOttawa et exercer la profession
juridique, compte tenu des six critres numrs
ci-dessus.
Contrairement aux candidats qui prsentent une
demande dans dautres catgories, les candidates et
candidats des catgories adulte et autochtone doivent
galement soumettre un curriculum vitae jour, en
plus de leur dclaration personnelle.
(Programme anglais seulement)
Le LSAT nest pas requis pour ladmission au
programme franais. Il est exig uniquement pour
ladmission en premire anne du programme de
common law en anglais.
Si vous prvoyez faire demande au programme
anglais, lisez ce qui suit.
Pour celles et ceux qui souhaitent poser leur
candidature en anglais, sachez que la facult nexige
pas de score minimum pour le LSAT. Le poids accord
au LSAT varie selon les autres lments de chaque
candidature.
Les candidates et candidats qui dcident deffectuer
le LSAT une date diffrente de celle indique sur
leur formulaire de demande dadmission doivent
en informer OLSAS et la facult par crit avant de
passer le test. Pour les candidates et candidats dont la
langue maternelle nest pas langlais, le LSAT, bien que
pertinent, aura moins dimportance lors de lexamen
du dossier par la Comit dadmission. Le LSAT nest
pas requis pour ladmission en deuxime, troisime
ou quatrime anne.
Le LSAT est offert quatre fois par anne. Il est
fortement recommand deffectuer lexamen avant
dcembre 2013 ou, au plus tard, en fvrier 2014.
Veuillez noter que les rsultats du LSAT de fvrier ne
seront pas disponibles avant la fin mars. Une demande
incomplte reste en suspens jusqu la rception de
toutes les pices manquantes, y compris les rsultats
du LSAT. Par consquent, le fait dcrire le LSAT en
fvrier pourrait porter atteinte vos chances dtre
admis. Seuls les rsultats des cinq annes prcdentes
sont valides.
Veuillez noter que le Comit dadmission nattendra
pas de recevoir votre note obtenue au test LSAT
en fvrier pour examiner votre dossier si une note
prcdente est disponible.
Prire de noter que les candidatures ne sont pas
values tant que le dossier nest pas complet et
que tous les documents requis ont t fournis par le
candidat ou la candidate. La date limite pour faire
demande dadmission au programme franais est le
1er fvrier de chaque anne. Bien que les demandes au
programme franais soient acceptes aprs cette date,
la priorit est accorde aux demandes reues avant
la date limite. Les dossiers qui demeurent incomplets
aprs le 1er aot seront automatiquement ferms
sans pravis.
valuation des relevs de notes trangers
Les candidates et candidats avant suivi des tudes de
premier cycle lextrieur du Canada et des tats-Unis
doivent faire valuer leurs relevs de notes par World
Education Services ou un service quivalent. Toute
la documentation doit tre soumise lexamen du
service OLSAS (Les facults de droit de lOntario).
quit en ducation
Le Bureau dquit en ducation cherche accrotre
la participation aux tudes en droit, notamment des
membres de groupes raciaux, de minorits culturelles
ou de peuples autochtones, des lesbiennes, des gais et
des personnes bisexuelles, des personnes handicapes
ainsi que des membres de groupes dsavantags
conomiquement.
Ce bureau conseille le Comit dadmission, labore des
stratgies de recrutement et de promotion, examine
le contenu et la structure du programme dtudes
afin de sassurer quil ne vhicule pas dattitudes ou
de comportements racistes, sexistes ou autrement
discriminatoires. Grce ces interventions, tout
tudiant et toute tudiante peut participer pleinement
aux activits scolaires et sociales offertes la Facult
de droit.
Un programme dappui scolaire a t mis sur pied afin
de faciliter la transition vers les tudes en droit pour
les personnes qui la trouvent plus difficile en raison
de leur exprience de vie ou de leur loignement du
milieu des tudes.
On encourage la population tudiante proposer
des amliorations, tant dans la salle de classe qu
lextrieur des cours, susceptibles denrichir leur
exprience la Section de common law sur les plans
intellectuel et personnel. Le bureau invite galement
le corps tudiant entreprendre des activits pour
sensibiliser la communaut juridique leurs ides et
leurs proccupations.
tudes mi-temps
Il vous est difficile dtudier temps plein? Vous
pouvez demander dtudier mi-temps aprs avoir
reu une offre dadmission au programme.
Vous devrez expliquer les circonstances particulires
justifiant votre demande dtudes mi-temps. Ces
circonstances peuvent inclure la responsabilit
principale pour le soin denfants en bas ge ou dautres
personnes charge, des raisons de sant personnelles
ou familiales, des arrangements particuliers ncessaires
pour des motifs dquit, par exemple un handicap
physique ou des difficults dapprentissage, ou encore
de graves difficults financires.
Aprs avoir reu votre offre dadmission, vous pouvez
crire au prsident du Comit dadmission pour
demander la permission dtudier mi-temps.
Les personnes qui tudient mi-temps doivent
terminer le programme dtudes au complet dans
une priode de six annes suivant leur admission.
Catgorie gnrale
La catgorie gnrale doit tre utilise pour toutes
les demandes dadmission la premire anne du
programme J.D. (ou dun des programmes conjoints)
moins que la personne posant sa candidature puisse
se prvaloir de lune des catgories particulires
mentionnes ci-dessous.
Les rsultats universitaires antrieurs constituent
le facteur le plus important dans lvaluation des
demandes. En rgle gnrale, la moyenne au moment
de ladmission doit se situer aux environs de A- .
La dclaration personnelle est un lment trs
important de votre candidature. Il faut la rdiger
avec soin. Vous devez en outre joindre la demande
les lettres de recommandation de deux rpondants,
dont lun, au moins, doit tre du milieu acadmique.
Il est prfrable que les deux rpondants soient issus
du milieu acadmique. Noubliez pas de vous assurer
quOLSAS a bien reu les relevs de notes les plus
jour pour toutes vos tudes postsecondaires.
Le LSAT nest pas requis pour les personnes posant
leur candidature au programme franais.
Catgorie gnrale Circonstances particulires
Si, votre avis, certains vnements ponctuels
survenus durant vos tudes ont affect votre
rendement scolaire au cours dune session ou dune
anne spcifique, vous pouvez en informer le Comit
dadmission.
Afin de nous fournir les renseignements relatifs ces
circonstances particulires, veuillez utiliser le formulaire
prvu cette fin dans la demande. Assurez-vous de
bien indiquer quelle(s) session(s) a (ont) t affecte(s).
Veuillez joindre tout document dappui pertinent dans
la mesure du possible.
Catgorie adulte
Les personnes qui ont au moins cinq ans dexprience
dans un milieu non scolaire, ayant ou non fait des
tudes postsecondaires, peuvent se classer dans
cette catgorie.
En plus du travail scolaire (et, pour le programme
anglais, les rsultats du test LSAT), le comit tiendra
compte des qualits exceptionnelles dmontres dans
les carrires antrieures ainsi que des expriences de
vie du candidat ou de la candidate. Pour faire demande
dans cette catgorie, il faut avoir la citoyennet
canadienne ou le statut de rsident permanent.
Les candidates et candidats adultes doivent joindre
leur dclaration personnelle, un curriculum vitae jour.
Il est donc important de ne pas utiliser la dclaration
personnelle pour rpter linformation qui se trouve
dans votre curriculum vitae. Vous devez galement
soumettre deux lettres de recommandation dont au
moins une devrait tre dune source scolaire. Si vous
ne pouvez pas obtenir la lettre de recommandation
dune source scolaire, veuillez choisir des personnes
qui sont capables de nous renseigner sur vos habilets
relatives ltude du droit comme, par exemple, votre
capacit danalyse, vos aptitudes en rdaction, en
recherche et en travail de groupe ainsi que votre
habilet bien grer votre temps. Noubliez pas de
vous assurer quOLSAS a bien reu vos relevs de
notes officiels pour toutes vos tudes postsecondaires.
Catgorie autochtone
Les personnes dorigine autochtone, dune des
Premires Nations, des peuples Mtis ou Inuit peuvent
prsenter leur demande soit dans la catgorie gnrale,
soit dans cette catgorie discrtionnaire. En tant que
candidates et candidats dune catgorie spcifique,
les autochtones qui satisfont galement aux critres
de la catgorie Adulte peuvent postuler dans les
deux catgories.
Vous devez, dans votre dclaration personnelle,
discuter de votre exprience personnelle, en milieu de
travail ou communautaire, ainsi que tout autre facteur
que vous jugez utile lappui de votre demande. Les
candidates et candidats de la catgorie autochtone
doivent ajouter leur dclaration personnelle un
curriculum vitae jour.
Il faut aussi inclure les lettres de recommandation de
deux rpondants dont un, au moins, devrait tre du
milieu scolaire ainsi quune preuve dappartenance
un groupe autochtone, par exemple, la carte de statut
dIndien ou dIndienne ou encore une lettre de votre
conseil de bande ou de votre organisation autochtone.
Ladmission dans la catgorie autochtone peut tre
inconditionnelle ou conditionnelle la russite du
programme pr-droit pour autochtones. Il est donc
trs important que le candidat ou la candidate
autochtone soumettre son dossier complet le plus
rapidement possible afin que le Comit dadmission
puisse se prononcer temps pour permettre aux
personnes admissibles de sinscrire au Native Law
Program offert en Saskatchewan qui commence en
mai ou au Programme pr-droit pour les Autochtones
offert en franais lUniversit dOttawa.
Catgorie accs Tous les programmes
LUniversit dOttawa a cr la catgorie Accs afin
de faciliter ladmission la facult de droit dtudiants
et dtudiantes qui ont connu lingalit sous forme
de barrires de nature systmique ou continue, ou qui
proviennent de groupes qui font face des barrires
sociales ou conomiques reconnues en matire
daccs lducation.
Les facteurs qui appuient une candidature dans cette
catgorie se trouvent dans le Code des droits de la
personne de lOntario qui stipule :
Toute personne a droit un traitement gal en
matire de services, de biens ou dinstallations,
sans discrimination fonde sur la race, lascendance,
le lieu dorigine, la couleur, lorigine ethnique, la
citoyennet, la croyance, le sexe, lorientation
sexuelle, lge, ltat matrimonial, le partenariat
avec une personne de mme sexe, ltat familial
ou un handicap.*
*L.R.O. 1990, chap. H.19, art. 1; 1999, chap. 6, par. 28
(1); 2001, chap. 32, par. 27 (1).
Le Comit dadmission considre que de graves
difficults financires constituent galement une
barrire, condition de lui fournir la documentation
justificative.
Les candidatures soumises dans cette catgorie
doivent galement contenir tous les renseignements
requis dans la catgorie gnrale, cest--dire un
formulaire de demande en ligne dment rempli,
les relevs de notes officiels de toutes les tudes
postsecondaires et deux lettres de recommandation.
Au moins une de ces lettres doit provenir dune source
scolaire, mais il est prfrable davoir deux lettres de
source scolaire.
Les candidates et les candidats qui souhaitent voir leur
dossier examin dans le cadre de la catgorie Accs
doivent expliquer les motifs quelles ou ils invoquent
pour faire demande dans cette catgorie. Pour ce faire,
il faut remplir la section spcifiquement prvue cet
effet dans le formulaire en ligne. Les candidates et les
candidats de la catgorie Accs peuvent galement
invoquer les motifs pour lesquels ils ou elles font
demande dans cette catgorie dans leur dclaration
personnelle, le cas chant. Le dossier au complet
sera examin la lumire des renseignements ainsi
fournis. Les candidates et les candidats de la catgorie
Accs qui souhaitent que leur rendement scolaire ou
leur note au LSAT soit valu en tenant compte des
raisons justifiant leur demande dans cette catgorie
sont pris de fournir la documentation lappui.
Les candidates et les candidats qui font demande
dans cette catgorie pour des motifs dingalit ou
de barrires lies un handicap sont pris de fournir
des renseignements plus spcifiques provenant
dun professionnel de la sant sur leurs capacits
et dventuels accommodements. Pour en savoir
davantage, et remplir le formulaire adquat, prire
de vous rendre sur le site Web de la Facult ici :
www.commonl aw. uottawa.ca. On pourrai t
communiquer avec les candidates et les candidats
aprs la rception de leur demande afin de leur
demander de fournir des renseignements plus dtaills.
Note aux candidates et candidats des
annes suprieures
Les candidates et les candidats des annes suprieures
nont pas slectionner de catgorie.
Les demandes doivent tre remplies en ligne. La
date limite pour faire demande est le 1
er
mai. Une
candidature peut tre soumise aprs cette date, avec
la permission de la Facult. Il est important de noter
que les dossiers ne sont pas valus tant quils ne
sont pas complets et que tous les documents requis
nont pas t fournis. Comme le nombre de places
est limit, votre chance dtre admis pourrait tre
affecte par un retard nous fournir les documents
requis. Tout dossier qui demeure incomplet aprs le
1
er
aot sera ferm sans pravis.
Demandes de transfert
Seules les demandes de transfert des tudiants et des
tudiantes qui entrent en deuxime anne et qui ont
termin avec succs, ou qui compltent actuellement,
leur premire anne de common law dans une facult
de droit canadienne sont acceptes. Les personnes
qui ont entrepris ou termin leurs tudes de droit
lextrieur du Canada ne peuvent pas faire demande
dans cette catgorie.
La candidate ou le candidat qui demande un transfert
doit prciser pourquoi elle ou il souhaite tudier
lUniversit dOttawa. La dclaration personnelle
sert dcrire les raisons personnelles, scolaires ou
professionnelles, pour lesquelles la personne dsire
poursuivre ses tudes en droit lUniversit dOttawa.
La priorit sera accorde aux personnes qui ont
de la difficult sloigner dOttawa en raison de
circonstances particulires.
Les personnes qui prsentent leur candidature dans
cette catgorie doivent fournir leur relev de notes de
leurs tudes en droit, deux lettres de recommandation,
dont au moins une doit provenir dun professeur
de droit. La demande doit notamment inclure une
lettre du doyen ou de la doyenne de la facult de
droit frquente confirmant linscription en rgle de
ltudiant ou ltudiante ainsi que le fait quil ou elle
ne fait lobjet daucune mesure disciplinaire. Il nest
pas ncessaire de fournir les rsultats du LSAT pour
les demandes de transfert.
Lettre de permission
Si vous dsirez passer une session ou une pleine anne
universitaire lUniversit dOttawa comme tudiant
spcial ou tudiante spciale, avec lautorisation de
votre facult de droit, vous pouvez faire demande
dans cette catgorie.
Ltudiante ou ltudiant doit prciser, dans sa
dclaration personnelle, les raisons pour lesquelles
elle ou il souhaite poursuivre ses tudes lUniversit
dOttawa. Il peut sagir de motifs personnels, scolaires
ou professionnels. On accordera la priorit aux
personnes qui, pour des raisons exceptionnelles, ne
peuvent pas sloigner dOttawa.
Les candidatures doivent inclure un relev de
notes officiel des tudes en droit, deux lettres de
recommandation, dont au moins une doit provenir
dun professeur de droit ainsi quune lettre du doyen
ou de la doyenne de la facult de droit frquente
confirmant linscription en rgle du candidat ainsi que
le fait quil na fait lobjet daucune mesure disciplinaire.
Il nest pas ncessaire de fournir les rsultats du LSAT.
Demandes prsentes au Comit national sur les
quivalences des diplmes de droit
Les personnes qui dtiennent dj un diplme de
droit du Qubec ou dun pays tranger et qui dsirent
exercer le droit dans un ressort canadien de common
law peuvent demander une valuation de leur dossier
par le Comit national sur les quivalences des
diplmes de droit (CNDD) (constitu par le Conseil
des doyens et doyennes des facults de droit du
Canada et la Fdration des ordres professionnels
de juristes du Canada). Vous trouverez plus de
renseignements sur le site Web du CNDD au
www.flsc.ca, sous la rubrique Diplmes trangers .
Pour plus amples renseignements, veuillez
communiquer directement avec le Comit national
sur les quivalences des diplmes de droit :
Fdration des ordres professionnels
de juristes du Canada
c/o Comit national sur les quivalences
des diplmes de droit
45, rue OConnor, bureau 1810
Ottawa (Ontario) K1P 1A4
Tlphone : 613-236-1700
Adresse lectronique : nca@flsc.ca
Site Web : www.flsc.ca/fr
Si le CNDD vous a accord des quivalences, vous
pouvez soumettre votre candidature dans cette
catgorie. Les personnes qui nont reu aucune
quivalence du CNDD doivent faire demande
comme tudiante ou tudiant de premire anne et
complter les trois annes du programme de J.D. afin
de pratiquer le droit au Canada.
Les personnes qui demandent ladmission afin
de suivre les cours recommands par le CNDD
devraient utiliser la dclaration personnelle pour
expliquer les raisons motivant le choix de la Facult
de droit de lUniversit dOttawa. Il faut joindre la
demande la copie de lvaluation du CNDD, envoy
directement par le CNDD, ainsi que deux lettres de
recommandation, dont une provenant, de prfrence,
dun rpondant du milieu scolaire. Le LSAT nest pas
requis pour les candidatures dans cette catgorie.
Si une valuation officielle du CNDD est fournie,
les candidates et les candidats ne sont pas tenus
denvoyer des relevs de notes originaux de lextrieur
de lOntario.
Les demandes de cette catgorie seront annules sans
pravis compter du 1
er
aot si lvaluation du CNDD
ou si les autres documents ne sont pas encore soumis.
Bourses dtudes et daide financire
La Section de common law de la Facult de droit
de lUniversit dOttawa offre plusieurs bourses
dtudes et daide financire en premire anne
du programme de baccalaurat en common law.
Alors quil faut prsenter une demande pour
certaines, dautres sont attribues de faon
automatique. Pour de plus amples renseignements
concernant l a procdure de demande,
veuillez consulter notre site Web ladresse
www.commonlaw.uottawa.ca, sous la rubrique Futurs
tudiants et tudiantes .
Laide financire accessible aux tudiants et aux
tudiantes en droit provient de sources diverses. Pour
des donnes plus compltes sur les bourses daide
financire et la procdure de demande, prire de
consulter le site Web de lUniversit dOttawa ladresse
www.aidefinanciere.uottawa.ca, ou veuillez crire au :
Service de laide financire et des bourses
Universit dOttawa
85, rue Universit, bureau 102
Ottawa (Ontario) K1N 6N5
Site Web : www.pretsetbourses.uottawa.ca
Adresse lectronique : pretsetbourses@uottawa.ca
Demandes tardives
Au programme franais, les demandes soumises aprs
la date limite seront examines en fonction du nombre
de places disponibles au moment de la soumission.
Il est rare quune telle prolongation soit accorde
pour le programme anglais. Afin de prsenter une
demande aprs la date limite, il faut crire au comit
dadmission en prcisant les raisons de la demande.
Exemptions des frais dadmission
La candidate ou le candidat qui demande ladmission
lUniversit dOttawa et qui prouve des difficults
financires peut demander une exemption des frais
dadmission de 90 $. Veuillez noter que pour les
demandes dadmission aux programmes en franais,
il ny a pas de droits institutionnels remettre.
Le critre pour lattribution dune telle exemption
est lincapacit de payer ce montant. La demande
sera value la lumire des renseignements fournis
sur le formulaire de demande dexemption des frais
dadmission, quon peut obtenir la Facult de droit.
Aucune autre exemption de frais ne sera accorde.
Aucune exemption ne sera accorde rtroactivement.
Il faut joindre le formulaire dexemption des frais
dadmission la demande. Assurez-vous de prsenter
votre demande assez tt pour respecter la date
limite rgulire pour la prsentation des demandes.
Veuillez consulter notre site Web, ladresse
www.commonlaw.uottawa.ca, pour des donnes plus
jour.
Pour obtenir un formulaire dexemption des frais
dadmission :
Bureau des admissions
Facult de droit
Section de common law
Universit dOttawa
57, rue Louis Pasteur
Ottawa (Ontario) K1N 6N5
Renseignements
Tlphone : 613-562-5800, p. 3270
Tlcopieur : 613-562-5124
Adresse lectronique : comlaw@uottawa.ca
Site Web : www.commonlaw.uottawa.ca
Introduction
Queens University is situated in the historic city of
Kingston, midway between Toronto and Montreal. The
compact campus borders residential neighbourhoods
and Lake Ontario. Kingstons vibrant downtown
is within walking distance. Information about
Queens University, the campus, maps and booking
a campus tour can be found at: www.queensu.ca/
visit/. To find out more about Kingston, visit:
www.queensu.ca/discover/kingston/.
Macdonald Hall, home to Queens Faculty of Law,
provides upgraded teaching facilities with wireless
internet access, audio/visual equipment, full
accessibility, a modern moot court room and new
video conference room. Visit: www.queensu.ca/
camplan/access/macd.html.
Queens Law represents a long tradition of commitment
to academic excellence, community spirit, and service
to society. We offer our students innovative instruction,
interdisciplinary combined-degree programs and
courses, superb clinical programs and a strong broad
curriculum informed by global perspective. Renowned
for the strength of its curriculum in public law, criminal
law, family law, clinical programs and mooting, our
more recent hiring is building strength in international
law, employment and labour law, health law and
the broader curriculum. Visit: http://law.queensu.ca/
prospectiveStudents/whyChoose.html.
Queens is the only law school in Canada that
offers its own study abroad facility at the Bader
International Study Center (BISC) at Herstmonceux
Castle in Sussex, England. Each May and June, Queens
Law offers two global law certificate programs in
public international law and international business
law. Visit: http://law.queensu.ca/international/
globalLawProgramsAtTheBISC.html.
In addition, we offer international exchange
opportunities with some of the worlds leading law
schools: University of Hong Kong; National University
of Singapore; Tshingua University in China; Fudan
University in Shanghai; University of Cape Town in
South Africa; Sydney University, New South Wales
University, Melbourne University, and the University
of Western Australia in Australia; Jean Moulin Lyon III
University in France; Uppsala University in Sweden;
Groningen University in Holland; Tel Aviv University in
Israel; and the Jindal Global Law School near Delhi, India.
More exchanges are available through university-wide
exchanges: University of West Indies at Cave Hill,
Barbados; University of Otagao in New Zealand;
Kyushu University in Japan (LLM program in English);
and Eberhard Karls University Tbingen in Germany
for students fluent in German. See the university-wide
and multi-faculty exchange opportunities at
www.queensu.ca/international/outgoing/exchanges/
partners/ and www.queensu.ca/international/outgoing/
exchanges/multifaculty/.
Queens Faculty of Law is legendary for its vibrant
and diverse range of student activities, organizations,
initiatives and clubs. Visit: http://law.queensu.ca/
students/lss/Clubs.html. Law students are
integral to faculty governance as members of
Faculty Board Committees and as Faculty Board
Representatives. Law students interested in athletics
and fitness may join a variety of intramural teams,
and use the new Queens Centre, which offers
superb aquatic, athletic and recreational facilities.
Visit: www.queensu.ca/live/athletics/.
Admission Philosophy and Criteria
The Admissions Committee uses a holistic approach to
applications, taking into account a number of factors
in addition to grades and the results of the LSAT.
Queens Faculty of Law endorses the goal that the
geographic, ethnic, cultural, racial and socio-economic
diversity of the Canadian population should be
reflected in the ranks of those granted access to
legal education.
The academic rigour of the Juris Doctor (JD)
degree program requires that students who are
granted admission have a strong aptitude for legal
reasoning, demonstrated academic ability and good
potential for success in studies at this level. The
Admissions Committee considers other attributes
such as intellectual curiosity, avid interest in law,
social commitment, reasonable judgment and insight,
leadership potential, teamwork skills, creative ability
and innovative endeavours, self discipline, time
management skills and maturity. The Admissions
Committee will review personal statements, letters
Queens University
of reference and the autobiographical sketch to
obtain information about these attributes.
Our Faculty of Law is enriched by the skills, knowledge
and experience of students who have been community
leaders, excelled in extracurricular activities and
enjoyed success in careers prior to the pursuit
of a legal education as much as we benefit from
students with inquiring minds who have excelled
consistently in a broad range of academic disciplines.
Such outstanding applicants are encouraged to
apply, whether in the General, Aboriginal or Access
categories of admission.
Admissions Committee
Senior law students bring a diverse range of
experiences and perspectives to the assessment
of applicant files. Accordingly, our Admissions
Committee is composed in roughly equal numbers
of faculty members and students. The Committee
renders decisions on competitive files in the Aboriginal
and Access categories, and provides guidelines for
admission decisions on all other files. Decisions are
made based on information that is on file at the time
of review.
First-Year Admission to the
JD Degree Program
JD Degree Designation
On February 28, 2008, the Queens University Senate
approved the change from the Bachelor of Laws (LLB)
designation to the JD designation to signify that
the program is a second-entry professional degree
program. The change to the JD designation provides
greater international recognition of the academic
rigour of the professional legal education offered at
Queens Faculty of Law.
Categories of Admission
There are three major categories of admission into first
year: the General category, the Aboriginal category
and the Access category. The first-year class consists
of about 165 students. Most students are admitted in
the General category. Recently, up to 15 percent of
students admitted to the first-year class have been
from the Aboriginal and Access categories.
Academic Requirements
All applicants in the General category must have
successfully completed a minimum of three full years
of course work in a degree program at a postsecondary
institution providing an academic environment and
education that prepares students for potential success
in advanced study at Queens. Visit the Senate Policy
on the Basis of Admission for Advanced Study and
the interpretation guidelines at: www.queensu.ca/
secretariat/policies/senateandtrustees/admission.html.
Mature Applicants Academic Requirements
Applicants who have completed three years of course
work at a recognized institution as of June 1 of the
year of admission and are at least 26 years of age
and have a minimum of five years of non-academic
experience, are eligible to apply for admission under
the Access category. The minimum age and minimum
non-academic experience requirements must be met
as of September 1 of the year of admission.
Quality of Academic Performance
The Admissions Committee reviews the nature and
content of the undergraduate and graduate programs
undertaken. Enrollment at full course load, scholarships,
awards and prizes received, the level of the degree
obtained (i.e., honours vs. general), consistency and
improvement in academic performance, and successful
completion of graduate work are weighed positively.
For more information about the profile of the first-year
class, visit: http://law.queensu.ca/prospectiveStudents/
admissionInformation/firstYearClassProfile.html.
All first year applicants are required to take the LSAT.
LSAT scores for the past five years may be used.
The Faculty engages in a rolling admissions process
commencing after the OLSAS admission deadline at
the beginning of November. First-round offers are
made throughout the months of January, February
and March with an acceptance deadline of April
1. Subsequent rounds of offers continue until the
commencement of the academic year in September.
Applicants seeking admission in the first round must
have written the LSAT no later than the December
test date. The February test score is the latest score
accepted for admission in the current admission
cycle. It is strongly recommended that applicants
write the LSAT no later than the December test
date in order to have the score reports available to
the Admissions Committee when first-round offers
begin to issue in January. The Admissions Committee
initially considers the average score for ranking
applicants for scholarship purposes and ordering the
files for decision by the Committee. The Admissions
Committee will rely on the highest score achieved at
the time of the admission decision.
Language Proficiency and TOEFL
is essential for success in law school. A Test of English
as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score is required for
applicants who are not fluent in English. Applicants in
any category who have completed at least three years
of full-time study at a recognized university, taking
courses for which English is the official language of
instruction, may request exemption from the TOEFL
requirement. Such a request for exemption must
be supported by an academic letter of reference
attesting to the applicants fluency in written and
spoken English.
Test results from the iBT TOEFL are preferred. Under
the old TOEFL scoring system, no applicant with a
TOEFL score of less than 600/250 and a TWE of
less than 5.0 was considered. Standards for the new
TOEFL iBT are a minimum total score of no less than
100, with a minimum of 24 on the Writing section, no
less than 22 on the Speaking section, no less than 24
on the Reading section and no less than 20 on the
Listening section.
First-Year Law Applicants
General Requirements for JD Admission
General Category
The applicants academic record and LSAT score are
weighed most heavily in this category. In making
distinctions between applicants who are equally
competitive on these bases, the other criteria set
forth in the Admissions Philosophy are weighed
carefully. Competitive applicants will have at least an
A- average (8084 percent, GPA 3.7) in the last two
years of their undergraduate degree program at a full
course load. Applicants who have not completed a
university degree must have completed at least three
full-time years of undergraduate degree program work
at a recognized institution by the time of registration
in September 2014. Applicants in the General category
with a cumulative undergraduate average of less than
a B+ (7779 percent, CGPA 3.30) and an LSAT score
of less than 157 (70
th
percentile) are not competitive
for admission, unless graduate degree work has been
completed successfully. An applicant who meets
the minimum criteria for admission is eligible for
consideration but is not guaranteed admission.
Aboriginal Category
Queens Faculty of Law is committed to the goal of
increasing Aboriginal representation within the legal
profession and therefore welcomes applications from
Canadian Aboriginal people. Applications will be
considered based on the applicants interest in and
identification with his or her Aboriginal community as
well as other factors, including academic performance,
results of the LSAT, employment history, letters of
reference and a personal statement. This material will
form the basis upon which the Admissions Committee
will judge whether or not the applicant will be able
to undertake the JD degree program successfully.
Applicants should have successfully completed at
least three years of postsecondary education at a
recognized institution. To satisfy the basis of admission
to any advanced-entry professional or graduate
degree program at Queens University, it is expected
that previous academic credentials will be from an
institution providing an academic environment and
education that prepares students for potential success
in advanced study. If there is strong evidence of
academic ability in the application, an exception might
be made to the standard requirement of three years of
full-time academic work at a recognized institution. An
applicant who meets the minimum standards is eligible
for consideration but is not guaranteed admission.
The personal statement submitted in support of the
application should explain the applicants interest in
and identification with his or her Aboriginal community.
A copy of the applicants status card can be submitted
to establish the applicants identification with and
connection to an Aboriginal community. Alternatively,
a non-academic letter of reference should be provided
to corroborate the basis of the claim to Aboriginal
status. In addition, applicants are required to provide
an academic letter of reference.
The Admissions Committee may admit applicants to
the Aboriginal category unconditionally or subject
to successful completion of the Program of Legal
Studies for Native People offered each summer at
the University of Saskatchewan. Visit: www.usask.ca/
plsnp/. Queens Faculty of Law supports this program
and considerable weight is placed upon the evaluation
of the applicant provided by the Director of the
program. The Admissions Committee will endeavour
to make decisions on completed applications early in
the admissions cycle for this category to allow time for
those with conditional offers to apply for admission
to the Program of Legal Studies for Native People,
provided that the applicant has written the LSAT by
the December 2013 test date.
Access Category
Queens Faculty of Law is committed to enhancing
diversity in legal education and the legal profession.
To this end, the Faculty encourages applications
from candidates whose backgrounds, qualities
or experiences would allow them to make unique
contributions to the law school community, the legal
profession and society in general. The Admissions
Committee will consider an applicants disability,
educational and financial disadvantage, membership in
a historically disadvantaged group, age, life experience
or any other factor relating either to educational
barriers faced by the applicant, or to the ability of
the applicant to enrich the diversity of the law school
community and the legal profession. Applicants must
supply documentation supporting their claims in this
regard.
Applicants in the Access category must demonstrate
that they have strong potential to complete the JD
program. Traditional measures of academic performance
and LSAT scores may be given comparatively less
weight in this category, while non-academic experience
and personal factors confirming the applicants
special circumstances or unique qualities may be
given comparatively more weight. Applicants must
demonstrate that they have the ability to reason and
analyze, to express themselves effectively orally and in
writing, and that they possess the skills and attributes
necessary to cope with the demands of law school. For
some applicants, the extent and quality of their work
or life experience may be a better indicator of their
suitability and capacity for success in law school, than
their academic achievement.
Applications in the Access category are encouraged,
but applicants are cautioned that a cumulative
undergraduate average of less than a B (7074
percent, CGPA 3.0) and an LSAT score of less than
151 are normally not competitive for admission. Visit
the first-year JD class profile at: http://law.queensu.ca/
prospectiveStudents/admissionInformation/
firstYearClassProfile.html.
Part-time Studies
A maximum of five persons may be admitted part-
time to the first-year JD degree program in each
admissions cycle. Such applicants must meet the
admissions standards required of applicants for full-
time study and are assessed for admission using
the same criteria. The Admissions Committee will
consider the reasons provided for studying on
a part-time basis and the competitive strength
of the application in the category of admission
claimed. Applicants accepted as part-time students
are expected to complete the JD degree program
within six years. The JD program is not offered by
distance education and it is not recommended for
students who commute long distances on a regular
basis to attend class.
Admissions Process, Admissions Scholarships and
Law Admissions Bursaries
From late November through January, application
materials are forwarded from OLSAS to each law
school to which the applicant has applied. The
admissions cycle commences in early January. Offers
of admission are made on a rolling basis as files are
complete and are considered by the Admissions
Committee. Decisions are based on the assessment
of documentation only. Interviews form no part of the
formal admissions process. In July, when all the places
in the class are filled, a wait-list is established to fill
vacancies as they occur. Applicants will be advised,
in writing, about any acceptance or rejection.
Applicants are considered for admission scholarships
at the time an offer of admission is issued. No further
action is required from applicants to be considered
for such scholarships. Other entrance scholarships are
available by application after registration in September.
Applicants seeking needs-based financial assistance
should participate in the Law Admission Bursary
Program by submitting an application before the
deadline in early December. For further information
about needs-based financial assistance for law
students, visit: www.queensu.ca/studentawards/
financialassistance/law.html.
Documentation
It is the applicants responsibility to ensure that their
application materials and supporting documents are
complete. Applications that are incomplete will not
be considered.
The application is due to OLSAS by November 1, 2013.
Applicants must indicate on the OLSAS application
if they are writing the LSAT after the deadline date.
Reference forms must be forwarded to OLSAS and not
submitted directly to Queens Law by the applicant
or referee. Applicants must provide the following
documentation in support of their applications to
first-year studies:
1. official transcripts from all postsecondary
institutions attended, including those attended
as a visiting student on exchange or on a study
abroad program;
2. official LSAT score(s);
3. a personal statement (see below);
4. confidential letters of reference (see below); and
5. supplementary documentation to support the
basis of the claim in the Aboriginal and Access
categories, as necessary.
Supplementary Documentation
General category applicants who have experienced
circumstances that adversely affected performance
in a particular course, a particular term, or even a
particular year, such as short-term illness, involvement
in varsity or professional sports, burdensome family
obligations, tragedy or other unfortunate events
that negatively affected a portion of their academic
program, should provide documentation of the
circumstances. Depending on the extent of the
adverse impact, such circumstances may support a
basis of claim for disabled or disadvantaged in the
Access Category.
Aboriginal category applicants should submit a
copy of their status card or a non-academic letter
of reference to corroborate their connection to, or
identification with, an Aboriginal community.
Access Category
Disabled applicants should provide corroboration
and independent assessment of the basis of the claim
through recent letters from physicians, counsellors,
psycho-educational experts or others, as appropriate.
Disadvantaged applicants should provide
corroboration of the basis of the claim. If the claim
is based on responsibility arising from the illness of
a dependent family member, evidence of the illness,
dependency and responsibility for care should be
provided by a third party knowledgeable of the family
circumstances. If the claim is based on working to
support oneself or others, then documentation of
the hours worked on a regular basis throughout
the academic year should be provided. Since
many applicants work part-time to help finance
postsecondary education, the amount of work should
be at least 30 hours of work a week while undertaking
full-time postsecondary education.
Mature applicants should provide a non-academic
letter of reference to support the basis of the claim.
Mature applicants in the Access category should
provide a detailed resum of their work and other
experience, including current position or status.
Applicants must ensure that their foreign educational
credentials are equivalent to credentials from
a Canadian institution recognized as providing a
postsecondary academic environment and education
that prepares students for success in advanced studies
of law. Applicants who are completing undergraduate
studies outside of North America must have their
foreign transcript assessed by World Education
Services (WES) or an equivalent service. Applicants
who have undertaken graduate studies outside of
Canada and the United States are not required to
have their foreign transcript assessed by WES or an
equivalent service, although such assessment may be
requested. Candidates from the National Committee
of Accreditation (NCA) are not required to have their
foreign transcripts assessed by WES or an equivalent
service. WES assessments are not needed for course
work completed on exchange or letter of permission,
if transfer credits for such courses are recorded on
the home university transcript.
Personal Statement
All applicants must submit a personal statement with
their OLSAS application. The personal statement
can be used to complement material included in the
autobiographical sketch. The personal statement must
be authored entirely by the applicant and must not
exceed 6,000 characters in length. The Admissions
Committee finds the personal statement to be helpful,
along with letters of reference, the autobiographical
sketch and verifiers, to identify scholarship prospects
among applicants who are competitive on the basis
of grades and LSAT scores.
Applicants in the Aboriginal and Access sub-categories
should use the personal statement to address the basis
of their sub-category claim and provide corroboration
of these circumstances through relevant supporting
documentation.
Part-time studies applicants should outline in the
personal statement the reasons for wanting to study
part-time.
Applicants in the General category should use their
personal statement to address special circumstances
that adversely affected performance in a particular
course, a particular term or even a particular
year, and should provide corroboration of these
circumstances by supplementary documentation.
These circumstances include (but are not limited to)
illness, involvement in varsity or professional sports,
family obligations during periods of study, tragedy
or other unfortunate events that negatively affected
portions of their academic program. Depending on the
extent of the adverse impact, such circumstances may
support a basis of claim for disabled or disadvantaged
in the Access Category.
References
One academic reference should be provided by all
applicants.
No more than three letters of reference may be filed
to support an application.
All letters of reference are confidential and must be
submitted by the referee directly to OLSAS.
Applicants should arrange for their referees to use
the OLSAS Confidential Reference Forms that are
provided with the application. These forms have the
applicants OUAC/OLSAS Reference Number printed
on the form and require the referee to indicate in what
capacity the referee is acquainted with the applicant.
General category: A maximum of two academic
references should be provided by all applicants in the
General category of admission. Such applicants may
file a third non-academic letter of reference.
Aboriginal category: Applicants should provide at
least one academic reference and should provide some
corroboration of their interest in, and identification
with, their Aboriginal community.
Access category: Applicants should provide at
least one academic letter of reference. Applicants
claiming continuing illness or a disability should
provide corroboration and independent assessment
of the basis of the claim through letters from
teachers, physicians, psycho-educational assessments,
counsellors or others, as appropriate.
Mature category: Applicants should provide one
academic and one non-academic letter of reference,
together with a current resum.
Admission to Combined Degree
Programs
MIR/JD
MPA/JD
JD/MBA
MA(Econ)/JD
MIR/JD
The Master of Industrial Relations/Juris Doctor (MIR/
JD) is a three and a half year combined degree
program offered by the School of Policy Studies and
the Faculty of Law that merges graduate training in
human resource management, employment and labour
policy with a professional degree in law. An option
to complete the combined degrees in three years is
available to combined degree program students who
are selected to complete a Global Law Program at
the Bader International Study Centre in the spring
term of the graduate registration year. Most MIR/JD
registrants choose to complete the combined program
in three years.
Program Structure
Students are registered as graduate students in the first
year of the program and are eligible to receive Ontario
Graduate Scholarship assistance for this year. Visit:
www. queensu.ca/sgs/forstudents/funding/ogs.html.
Combined program students are registered in four
JD courses in the first year: Contracts, Introduction
to Legal Research, Public Law, and Constitutional
Law. These courses substitute for other electives that
would be taken if registered only in the MIR degree
program. Students are assessed tuition as graduate
students for the first year, in accordance with their
registration status. This tuition is lower than tuition
assessed for law students. Visit: www.queensu.ca/
registrar/currentstudents/fees.html.
Combined program students are eligible to apply,
and be selected for a Global Law Program at the
Bader International Study Center (BISC) in the spring
term of the graduate registration year. Through this
opportunity, nine upper-year JD credits can be
earned at the BISC. Regular full-time course load
for upper-year JD students is 14 to 17 upper-year
credits per term. To graduate from the combined
degree program in three years, a course overload of
18 credits in each of the fall and winter terms in the
third year of registration may be needed to complete
all degree requirements, within three academic
years. Other options are available to avoid such
overloads. Visit: http://law.queensu.ca/international/
globalLawProgramsAtTheBISC.html.
In the second year of the program, students register as
JD students and complete the rest of the mandatory
first-year JD curriculum as well as upper-year courses
in Civil Procedure, Business Associations, Labour and
Employment Law.
In the third year and the fall term of the fourth
year in the MIR/JD combined degree program,
students complete Law 562 Collective Agreement
and Arbitration, Legal Ethics and Professionalism,
and the balance of the outstanding requirements of
the JD degree, including the advocacy requirement,
the practice skills requirement, the substantial term
paper requirement in Law 494 ISP: Labour, and the
minimum credit requirement of 59 upper-year JD
credits. Provided that degree requirements have been
satisfied, students may participate in an international
exchange program in the final fall term of the fourth
year of registration. Students who participate in the
early completion option using BISC credits would
complete the remaining degree requirements in the
third year of registration in the combined degree
program.
The Career Services Office of the Faculty of Law
helps students apply for summer positions with law
firms that have a specialized practice in labour and
employment law, and assists students in searching
for an articling position after graduation.
Admission Requirements
Up to five candidates may be admitted to the
MIR/JD program each year. Candidates must meet the
admission requirements for both programs, including
writing the LSAT for law. Offers of admission issued
by each program separately must be accepted for
an applicant to be considered for admission into the
combined program.
An application must be made to OLSAS for
admission to the JD degree program by
November 1, 2013, and a concurrent, separate
application must be made to the School of Industrial
Relations for admission as a graduate student in the
MIR program by January 15, 2014. Applications to the
MIR program are made using the online application
process at: www.queensu.ca/sgs/forstudents/
application.html.
Further information about application to the MIR
program is available from the School of Policy Studies
at Queens University by contacting Jenny Dee, MIR
Program Coordinator:
Telephone: 613-533-6000, ext. 77322
Fax: 613-533-2135
Email: MIR.Program@queensu.ca
Website: www.queensu.ca/sps/
MPA/JD Combined Degree Program
Queens Master of Public Administration/Juris Doctor
(MPA/JD) is a three and a half year combined degree
program. An option to complete the combined
degrees in three years is available to combined degree
program students who are selected to complete a
Global Law Program at the Bader International Study
Centre in the spring term of the graduate registration
year. The MPA/JD is an excellent choice for students
seeking to combine advanced skills in policy analysis
and management with training in law for successful
policy interpretation and implementation. The School
of Policy Studies has a strong reputation for advanced
education in policy studies in the areas of health policy,
defence management studies, global governance,
social policy and public policy in the voluntary sector
of not-for-profit, community-based, non-governmental
organizations.
Program Structure
Students are registered as graduate students in the
first year of the program and are eligible to receive
Ontario Graduate Scholarships to help fund their
studies in this year. Visit: www.queensu.ca/sgs/
forstudents/funding/ogs.html.
Students are registered in four JD courses in first year:
Contracts, Introduction to Legal Research, Public Law,
and Constitutional Law. These courses substitute for
other electives that would be taken if registered only
in the MPA degree program. Students are assessed
for tuition as graduate students for the first year, in
accordance with their registration status. This tuition
is lower than tuition assessed for law students. Visit:
www.queensu.ca/registrar/currentstudents/fees.html.
Combined program students are eligible to apply,
and be selected for a Global Law Program at the
Bader International Study Center (BISC) in the spring
term of the graduate registration year. Through this
opportunity, nine upper-year JD credits can be earned
at the BISC.
To graduate from the combined degree program
in three years, a course overload of 18 credits in
each of the fall and winter terms in the third year
of registration would be needed to complete
all degree requirements, within three academic
years. Other options are available to avoid such
overloads. Visit: http://law.queensu.ca/international/
globalLawProgramsAtTheBISC.html. Most MPA/JD
registrants choose to complete the combined program
in three years.
In the second year of the MPA/JD program, students
register as JD students and complete the rest of
the mandatory first-year JD curriculum, as well as
mandatory upper-year courses in Civil Procedure,
Business Associations and one of Human Rights,
Advanced Constitutional Law, or Aboriginal Law.
In the third year and the final fall term of the
fourth year of registration in the combined degree
program, students must complete the balance of the
outstanding requirements for the combined degree,
including a course in Administrative Law and the
substantial term paper requirement in Law 496 ISP:
Public Service. The remaining mandatory requirements
for the JD degree must also be completed, including
a course in Legal Ethics and Professionalism, the
advocacy requirement, the practice skills requirement,
and the minimum credit requirement of 59 upper-year
JD credits. Students who participate in the early
completion option using BISC credits would complete
the remaining degree requirements in the third year of
registration in the combined degree program. Subject
to the foregoing, students may participate in an
international exchange program in the final fall term
of the fourth year of registration in the combined
degree program.
The Career Services Office of the Faculty of Law helps
students apply for summer positions with government
offices, law firms or other approved employers that deal
with issues of law and public policy, and assists students
in searching for an articling position after graduation.
Up to five candidates may be admitted each year.
Candidates must meet the admission requirements
for both programs, including writing the LSAT. Offers
of admission issued by each program separately must
be accepted in order to be considered for admission
into the combined program.
An application must be made to OLSAS for
admission to the JD degree program by
November 1, 2013, and a concurrent, separate
application must be made to the School of Policy
Studies at Queens for admission as a graduate student
in the Master of Public Administration degree program
by January 15, 2014. Applications to the MPA program
are made using the online application process at:
www.queensu.ca/sgs/forstudents/application.html.
Further information about application to the MPA
program is available from the School of Policy Studies
at Queens University by contacting Elizabeth Thomas,
Admissions Coordinator, at:
The School of Policy Studies
138 Union Street, Room 217
Queens University
Kingston ON K7L 3N6
Telephone: 613-533-6000, ext. 75144
Fax: 613-533-2135
Email: MPA.admissions@queensu.ca
Website: www.queensu.ca/sps/
JD/MBA
This four-year combined program capitalizes on the
internationally acclaimed intensive 12-month Master
of Business Administration (MBA) degree offered by
Queens School of Business and the rich program
in business law offered by Queens Faculty of Law.
Students admitted to the combined program have
two alternative options to complete the combined
program early in three and a half years:
1. Combined JD/MBA students are eligible to
apply for, and be selected to participate in, the
International Business Law Program at the Bader
International Study Centre (BISC) to earn nine
upper-year JD credits. These students may also
use cross-credits from approved MBA degree
courses, equivalent to six upper-year JD credits, to
complete the degree in three and one-half years.
2. In the Queens Law On Campus option, combined
program students may use approved MBA courses,
equivalent to 12 upper-year JD credits, to complete
both degrees in three and one-half years.
Program Structure
The first year of the program is spent completing the
compulsory first-year curriculum of the JD degree
program.
In the spring term following the first year, JD students
are eligible to be selected for the certificate program in
International Business Law at the Bader International
Study Center at Herstmonceux Castle, Sussex, England.
Completing the certificate program is worth nine
upper-year JD credits. Visit: http://law.queensu.ca/
international/globalLawProgramsAtTheBISC.html.
The fall term of the second-year JD is spent taking
upper-year mandatory and elective courses at full
course load in the JD program. Combined program
students are required to take Civil Procedure and
Business Associations (4 credits), and at least another
four upper-year JD credits in management-related
law courses, which include, but are not limited to:
Taxation (4), Law and Economics (3), Labour Law(4),
Securities Regulation (3), Competition Law (3), or
Administrative Law (4).
The winter term of the second year to the end of
the fall term of the third year (12-month calendar
year from January to December) is spent fulfilling all
degree requirements for the MBA program.
The winter term of the third and fourth years in the
combined degree program (third JD year) is spent
fulfilling the remaining degree requirements of the JD
degree program, including the advocacy requirement,
the practice skills requirement, the mandatory course,
Legal Ethics and Professionalism, and a substantial
term paper. Students may spend a term on exchange
in the fourth year (third year JD) if an early completion
option is not exercised. If an early completion option
is exercised, the remaining JD requirements would
be completed in the fall term of the fourth year of
registration.
An application must be made to OLSAS for admission
to the JD degree program by November1,2013, and
a concurrent, separate application must be made
to the School of Business at Queens for admission
as a graduate student in the Master of Business
Administration degree program by November 30, 2013.
Usually, up to four candidates are admitted each year.
For information about the application process to the
MBA visit: http://business.queensu.ca/mba_programs/.
Applicants must meet the following requirements
for admission to the JD degree and to the MBA.
Selection for admission to the combined program
is not guaranteed to applicants who meet only the
minimum criteria for admission.
1. A four-year undergraduate degree from a
recognized university. Competitive applicants
typically have a minimum cumulative B+
undergraduate average and an average of A-
(roughly 8084 percent) in the last two years of
the undergraduate degree program.
2. All applicants must write the LSAT and the General
Management Admission Test (GMAT). To be
considered, an applicant should obtain a minimum
score of 600 on the GMAT and a minimum score
of 158 (75
th
percentile) on the LSAT.
3. If applicable, an acceptable score on the iBT
TOEFL test as required by the Faculty of Law
and the School of Business.
4. Applicants with a minimum of two years of
full-time post-degree professional experience are
preferred, but this requirement may be waived by
the School of Business. Internships and/or co-op
placements may be considered as relevant work
experience.
For further information about the MBA requirements
for admission to the combined program, visit:
http://business.queensu.ca/mba_programs/mba/
contact/index.php.
Queens JD/MBA Admission
Queens University, School of Business
Goodes Hall, 143 Union Street, Suite 414
Kingston ON K7L 3N6
Telephone: 613-533-2302
Toll-free: 1-888-621-0060 (within North
America)
Email: queensmba@business.queensu.ca
Website: www.queensmba.com
MA (Economics)/JD Program
Queens Faculty of Law and Department of Economics
have partnered to offer a combined program that
allows students to obtain both a Master of Arts
(MA) in Economics and the Juris Doctor (JD) in
three years. The program provides highly focused
interdisciplinary training for students interested in
the many areas where law and economic analysis
intersect, for example: international trade law and
policy, corporate law and policy, competition law
and policy, environmental and resource management
and tax law and policy. Combined MA (Econ)/JD
students will receive excellent training and gain a
strong comparative advantage to pursue careers
in specialized legal work that requires knowledge
of economic theory and social science methods,
high-level policy work and academia.
Program Requirements and Structure
In the first year, students register full time in the
School of Graduate Studies. Students are eligible
for funding from Ontario Graduate Scholarships
(https://osap.gov.on.ca/OSAPPortal/en/
OSAPStarttoFinish/GraduateStudents/) or funding
from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research
Council of Canada (SSHRC) for this year. For
more information about SSHRC grants, visit:
www.sshrc-crsh.gc.ca.
In the first year as a graduate student, combined
program students must complete the following
courses:
a. The three economics courses: ECON-810
Microeconomic Theory, ECON-852 Quantitative
Methods and ECON-848 Economic Analysis of
Law.
b. Any two other graduate economics courses
with a sufficient connection to law, subject
to the approval of the Graduate Coordinator
(Economics) in consultation with the
Combined Program Director (Law). The
following courses are illustrative of courses
that would satisfy the requirement: ECON-825
International Trade, ECON-835 Development
Economics, ECON-840 Public Finance
I, ECON-841 Public Finance II, ECON-845
Industrial OrganizationI, ECON-846 Industrial
Organization II, ECON-870 Finance Theory,
ECON-890 Natural Resource Economics, and
ECON-891 Environmental Economics.
c. The four law courses: Public Law, Constitutional
Law, Contracts, and Introduction to Legal
Research.
d. In the spring/summer term of the first year,
students will complete the ECON-898 MA
essay requirement. Students may also elect to
take some of their economics courses during
the spring term.
5. In the second year of the program, students
register full-time in the Faculty of Law as
second-year JD students taking a full course
load of 15 to 17 credits per term. Students must
complete the remaining courses from the required
first-year law curriculum as follows: Property Law,
Tort Law, and Criminal Law.
6. In the third year, students must register full time
in the Faculty of Law as third-year JD students.
Students must ensure that they complete the
following requirements for the combined program
and the JD degree during the second and third
years:
a. Two upper-year law courses with a substantial
connection to law and economics. Given
changes in course offerings from year
to year, the list of approved courses is to
be determined annually by the Combined
Program Director (Law) in consultation with
the Graduate Coordinator (Economics). The
following list is illustrative of some three credit
courses that would satisfy the requirement:
LAW-454 International Trade and Investment
Law; LAW-443 Insurance Law; LAW-511
Corporate Taxation; LAW-506 International
Tax; LAW-512 Corporate Finance; LAW-608
Advanced Corporate Law; LAW-448 Securities
Regulation; LAW-441 Commercial Law;
LAW-517 Environmental Protection Law; and
LAW-538 International Environmental and
Assessment Law. This list is illustrative only.
Students who wish to pursue specialization
in other areas within the law and economics
tradition in areas such as criminal law, family or
labour law could also be easily accommodated
within existing law course offerings.
b. The following JD degree requirements:
Mandatory Course Requirement (LAW-225
Civil Procedure and LAW-440 Business
Associations); Advocacy Requirement; Practice
Skills Requirement; and Substantial Term
Paper Requirement and upper-year credit
requirement of 59 upper-year credits.
Applicants must meet the admission requirements
of both the JD degree and the MA (Econ) programs.
Selection for admission to the combined program
is not guaranteed to applicants who meet only the
minimum criteria for admission. A maximum of five
students per year will be admitted to the program.
Separate simultaneous applications to both
the Faculty of Law (through OLSAS by
November 1, 2013) and Graduate Studies are
required. Applicants should indicate that they wish
to be considered for the combined program in
their MA application. Late applications may still be
considered, but early applications are encouraged.
Visit http://qed.econ.queensu.ca/pub/graduate/ and
www.queensu.ca/sgs/forstudents/application.html.
The minimum requirements for admission to the
combined program are:
1. Completion of an Honours BA in Economics or a
related field (e.g., Math, Physics). Most students
admitted to the MA will have a minimum B+
average. Most successful JD applicants will have a
B+ cumulative average and an A- average in the
final two years of their undergraduate program.
2. All applicants must write the Law School
Admission Test (LSAT).
3. Applicants whose previous degree is not from
a Canadian or American university are required
to submit the results from the Graduate Record
Exam (GRE).
4. If applicable, an acceptable score on an approved
English facility test is also required (TOEFL).
Contact Information:
Department of Economics
Dunning Hall, Queens University
Kingston ON K7L 3N6
Telephone: 613-533-2259
Fax: 613-533-6668
Email: gradc@econ.queensu.ca
Website: http://qed.econ.queensu.ca/
pub/graduate/admin.php
Department Page: www.econ.queensu.ca
Faculty of Law
128 Union Street
Macdonald Hall, Queens University
Kingston ON K7L 3N6
Telephone: 613-533-2220
Fax: 613-533-6509
JD Admissions:
Assistant Dean of Students: Jane Emrich
Email: jane.emrich@queensu.ca
Upper-Year Law Applicants
Admissions Process and General Requirements
Information for upper-year applicants can be
accessed from the Queens Faculty of Law website at:
http://law.queensu.ca/prospectiveStudents/
admissionInformation.html. Click the links for
upper-year admissions located in the left margin.
All upper-year applications, including applications in
the NCA category, are due on May 1, 2014, to OLSAS for
studies commencing in September 2014. Please visit
www.ouac.on.ca/olsas/ for further information about
the online application process. OLSAS may be reached
in writing at 170 Research Lane, Guelph, ON N1G 5E2,
and by email at: olsas@ouac.on.ca.
The number of openings in each upper-year category
is dependent on the internal attrition rates at the
law school. Usually the number of places available in
each category cannot be known precisely until late
June when the Faculty ascertains how many of its
students are seeking to study elsewhere, how many
are taking an approved leave, and how many are
returning to study. The number of places is never large
and occasionally there are no places at all. In particular,
there have been very few openings for the admission
of NCA applicants. Typically the Admissions Office
receives many more applications from candidates
that meet the minimum standards than there are
places available.
All upper-year applicants are required to have both
a sound academic record and good personal or
academic reasons for wanting to study at the Faculty
of Law of Queens University.
Graduates with a civil law degree from the province
of Quebec are eligible to apply to our Civil Law
Common Law combined degree program. Visit:
http://law.queensu.ca/prospectiveStudents/combined/
civilLaw.html.
Decisions on upper-year transfer, letter of permission
and NCA applications are generally made in July. It
is the applicants responsibility to ensure that all
documentation is submitted to OLSAS on a timely
basis. Incomplete applications will not be considered
for admission. Transcripts, confidential letters of
reference and NCA letters of recommendation must be
received no later than June 30, 2014, to be considered.
Applicants must complete the OLSAS transcript
request form for the institutions they have attended
and/or are now attending. The transcript should be
forwarded from the institution directly to OLSAS.
Transcripts submitted in support of an application
become the property of Queens University, may be
subject to verification/authentication and are not
available for copying.
Admissions Standards
Only applicants who have attained at least a B
average in their previous years of study in law will be
considered for admission in all upper-year categories.
An applicant who has failed one or more courses
in law school or in the NCA process will not be
considered for admission. At least one academic
letter of reference must be provided from a law
professor who can comment on the applicants
academic abilities.
For transfer and letter of permission applicants, a
letter is required from the Dean or Associate Dean
Academic of the current law school attesting that the
applicant is in good standing and has not been the
subject of any disciplinary sanction on academic or
non-academic grounds, nor otherwise been found to
have engaged in misconduct.
Provided that the application is competitive on
academic factors, priority will be given to the
admission of transfer or letter of permission applicants
who are seeking to return to their home province
from a Canadian law school outside Ontario and
to applicants seeking to transfer between Ontario
law schools. Curriculum-related grounds and career
path reasons supporting the application will be
considered. Consideration will be given to compelling
compassionate or personal grounds supporting the
application. For example, consideration will be given
to transfer and letter of permission applicants whose
own ill health or the ill health of a close family member
or child care responsibilities necessitate closer
proximity. Documentation corroborating the grounds
should be provided to support the application.
The following documentation is required for
admission to the upper-year categories:
Official transcripts of all law grades received.
Transcripts should include academic records of all
undergraduate programs and subsequent graduate
work and should specify the courses taken, the
grades, the degree and the standing obtained and
provide a legend to the grading scheme. Official
transcripts are required from all postsecondary
institutions attended, including transcripts
from studies as a visiting or exchange student.
studies outside of Canada and the United States
must have their foreign transcript assessed by
World Education Services (WES) or an equivalent
service. Applicants who have undertaken graduate
studies outside of North America are not required
to have their foreign transcript assessed by WES
or an equivalent service, although such assessment
may be requested. Candidates from the National
Committee of Accreditation (NCA) must have their
NCA assessment sent directly from the NCA. If an
official NCA assessment is provided, applicants
are not required to send original transcripts from
outside Ontario.
Certified copy of the LSAT score report form.
Applicants who were admitted to a Canadian law
school without an LSAT score report will not be
required to take the test. Upper-year applicants
who have never written the LSAT test will not be
required to take the LSAT test.
A personal statement outlining the reasons for
seeking admission to Queens Law School. (See
the Personal Statement section under First-Year
Law Applicants.)
At least one, but no more than two, confidential
academic letters of reference from instructors at
the current law school. A non-academic reference
may be filed by NCA applicants who have engaged
in the practice of law.
For letter of permission and transfer students, a
letter from the Dean or Associate Dean Academic
attesting that the applicant is in good standing
and has not been the subject of any disciplinary
sanction or investigation for misconduct on
academic or non-academic grounds.
Letter of permission from the previous law school,
if admission is being sought in this category for
one or both terms of third-year JD degree studies.
For the NCA category, applicants must provide
a current letter of recommendation from the
NCA that specifies the courses and conditions
upon which a Certificate of Qualification would
be issued and any subsequent correspondence
with the NCA that pertains to progress in courses
stipulated initially.
Such further and other documentation and
information as the Admissions Committee may
request.
Language Proficiency and TOEFL
is essential to success in law school. A TOEFL score is
required for applicants who are not fluent in English.
Applicants who have completed at least three years
of full-time study at a recognized university taking
courses for which English is the official language of
instruction, may request exemption from the TOEFL
requirement. Such a request for exemption must
be supported by an academic letter of reference
attesting to the applicants fluency in written and
spoken English.
Test results from the new iBT TOEFL are preferred.
Standards for the new TOEFL iBT are a minimum total
score of no less than 100, with a minimum of 24 on
the Writing section, no less than 22 on the Speaking
section, no less than 24 on the Reading section and
no less than 20 on the Listening section. Under the
old TOEFL scoring system, no applicant with a TOEFL
score of less than 600/250 and a TWE of less than
5.0 was considered. The institution code for Queens
University is 0949. For further information, please visit
the TOEFL website at: www.ets.org/toefl/.
Categories of Admission
1. Transfer
a. From a common law LLB or JD program at
a Canadian law school
An applicant who has completed the first year
of a common law LLB or JD degree program
at a Canadian law school may apply to transfer
into the second year of the JD degree program
at the Faculty of Law of Queens University.
If admitted, such students will be expected
to satisfy the JD degree requirements after
two years of full-time course work at Queens.
Upon successful completion of the degree
requirements and adherence to all academic
regulations, students will be eligible to receive
a Queens University JD degree. Such students
will have transfer credits recognized for
first-year courses that are substantially similar
to the first-year curriculum of the JD degree
program at Queens University, but will be
required to complete any first-year courses
that were not part of the first-year curriculum
of the degree program of the current law
school from which they seek to transfer.
b. From a common law LLB or JD degree
program at a law school outside Canada
(advanced standing transfer applicants)
Advanced standing applicants are transfer
applicants who seek to be admitted into the
Queens JD degree program from a law school
outside Canada offering a common law LLB
or JD degree. Applicants claiming advanced
standing must outline in the personal
statement the courses for which they are
seeking recognition for transfer credit and the
reasons for that claim. Generally, applicants
are not accorded more than one years
advanced standing and will be required to take
Canadian Constitutional Law from the first-year
curriculum. Transfer credit will be recognized
for first-year courses that are substantially
similar to the first-year curriculum of the JD
degree program at Queens University but
transferees will be required to complete any
first-year courses that were not part of the
first-year curriculum of the degree program
at the home law school from which they seek
to transfer.
The Admissions Office will determine
whether or not previously earned credits will
be recognized for transfer to the Queens
University JD degree. Upon admission, students
will be expected to satisfy the JD degree
requirements after successful completion of
at least two years of full-time course work.
Upon successful completion of the degree
requirements and adherence to all academic
regulations, students will be eligible to receive
the JD degree from Queens University.
2. Letter of Permission
An upper-year law student may apply to study as
a visiting student at the Faculty of Law for a single
term or for a maximum period of one academic
year on a letter of permission basis. Students
admitted on a letter of permission are not eligible
for transfer into the Queens JD degree program.
Academic work completed at Queens Faculty of
Law will be credited toward satisfaction of the
degree requirements of the home law school. The
home law school will reserve the right to approve
course load and course selections. Subject to the
foregoing, a letter of permission student will be
subject to the academic policies and regulations
of Queens University and of the Faculty of Law for
the duration of the registration as a visiting student.
3. National Committee on Accreditation (NCA)
Persons who have completed a law degree from
a foreign common law jurisdiction, who wish to
be admitted to the practice of law in a Canadian
common law jurisdiction, must apply to the
NCA. The NCA was established by the Canadian
Council of Law Deans and the Federation of Law
Societies of Canada to conduct assessments of the
equivalency of legal credentials and experience. For
further details and contact information, please visit:
www.flsc.ca/en/canadas-law-societies/.
Applications for admission in the NCA category
must be supported by a current letter of
recommendation from the NCA concerning
the conditions upon which a Certificate of
Qualification would be issued by the Committee
and any subsequent correspondence with the NCA
regarding progress in the recommended courses.
The Certificate of Qualification is needed for entry
into a provincial licensing process. NCA applicants
should note that interviews for articling placement
in Ontario generally take place during the summer,
one full year prior to the start of the placement.
Applicants are advised to contact the Law Society
of Upper Canada to confirm the procedures and
deadlines for the licensing process in Ontario. Visit:
www.lsuc.on.ca/licensingprocesslawyer/.
The Admissions Committee relies upon the
recommendation of the NCA and gives preference
to applicants who are required to take examinations
in fewer than eight subjects to earn a Certificate
of Qualification. Such a letter of recommendation
and any subsequent correspondence relating to
completion or attempts of required courses must
be received by Queens Faculty of Law no later
than June30,2014.
A Queens University JD degree is not conferred
upon applicants admitted under the NCA category.
Financial Aid All JD Program
Applicants
Queens University has a long-standing commitment
to the goal that legal education should be financially
accessible to qualified students. Funding totalling
more than $4.8 million was awarded to Queens law
students in 2011-2012. Total enrollment at Queens
Law School is approximately 500 students. For
a comprehensive list of all scholarships, prizes,
awards and bursaries for Queens law students, visit:
www.queensu.ca/studentawards/financialassistance/
law.html.
Merit-Based Scholarships and Needs-Based
Bursary Assistance
Student financial assistance programs and services are
administered by the Queens University Office of the
University Registrar Student Awards. These programs
and services include merit-based scholarships; awards
and prizes funded through the generosity of our
many donors, alumni, friends and law firms; and
needs-based financial assistance through awards and
bursaries. Bursaries are non-repayable grants from
the university assessed on the basis of documented
financial need. Financial need is evidenced on the
basis of accumulated educational debt, including
government student loans, interest on other debt (e.g.,
student line of credit) and personal circumstances,
such as dependants, medical expenses and other
living expenses. Visit: www.queensu.ca/studentawards/
future.html.
Law Admissions Bursary Program
Queens Law was one of the first law schools
to administer a law admission bursary program.
Applicants who complete an application for a
law admission bursary prior to December 1 of the
application cycle are assessed at the time of the
offer of admission for an admission bursary based
on documented financial need. This money is a
non-repayable grant provided by Queens University
that will help finance the first academic year. To qualify,
applicants must have accessed government student
loans to finance their undergraduate education, show
continuing eligibility for government student loans
and must have submitted a complete law admissions
bursary application showing accumulated educational
debt. Visit: www.queensu.ca/studentawards/forms.html.
Work-Study Program
Students with demonstrated financial need will
receive priority for certain part-time work available on
campus. Earnings may yield up to $2,000 over the fall
and winter terms. Entering JD students can indicate
on the Queens Law Admission Bursary Application
if they wish to be considered for the Work-Study
Program. Visit: www.queensu.ca/studentawards/
forms/fall_winter_work_study_application_13-14.pdf/.
Professional Student Line of Credit
Both the main Kingston branches of the Royal
Bank of Canada and the Bank of Nova Scotia
offer professional student lines of credit geared
to the needs of law students, with favourable
interest rates and guarantor requirements. Visit:
http://law.queensu.ca/prospectiveStudents/
jdProgram/funding.html.
Contact Information
For questions about financial assistance and advice,
please contact the Queens Student Awards Office at
awards@queensu.ca or call 613-533-2216.
Student Awards Office
Queens University
Gordon Hall, Room 225
74 Union Street
Kingston ON K7L 3N6
Telephone: 613-533-2216
Fax: 613-533-6409
Email: awards@queensu.ca
Website: www.queensu.ca/studentawards/
contact.html
Supplementary Information For All
Applicants
Personal Information and File Retention Policy
Applicant files are kept for one year after the initial
application in the event that an applicant should
re-apply. Thereafter, the files of applicants who
do not register are destroyed, unless information
regarding misconduct in the application process is
received. Applicant information provided in electronic
format and remitted by OLSAS is collected in our
admissions database. This information will be saved in
our admissions database for at least 10 years to permit
longitudinal or statistical studies, reports or queries
pertinent to recruitment, admissions, diversity of the
applicant pool and registrant populations, enrollment
management, retention and academic progress.
Information pertaining to admitted applicants who
register at Queens may be used for the purpose of
participating in correlation studies conducted by the
Law School Admission Council to assess the predictive
value of the LSAT score and grades at the time of
admission in relation to performance in first-year
law. The application documentation submitted on
admission is retained as part of the student file for
students who are admitted and register at Queens
Faculty of Law. Such information is held confidentially
in the Student Services Office and used in accordance
with the privacy and access to information policies
of Queens University. Personal information may be
disclosed to regulatory authorities, law enforcement
officials or other persons when authorized or required
by law. For details, visit: www.queensu.ca/registrar/.
Questions may be addressed to the Assistant Dean
of Students in the Faculty of Law.
Deferrals
A deferral of admission for one year may be granted
by request, in writing, to the Assistant Dean of
Students. Deferral may be granted if the application
is competitive and if there are reasonable grounds to
support the request for deferral. Candidates seeking
deferral will be required to provide a firm acceptance to
Queens and pay a non-refundable acceptance deposit
that will be applied toward tuition on registration.
The deferral request form can be accessed at:
http://law.queensu.ca/prospectiveStudents/forms/
deferralRequest.html.
Fee Waivers
Applications for a waiver of the Queens University
portion of the application fee must be made directly
through the office of the Assistant Dean of Students of
the Faculty of Law. Granting of waivers is discretionary.
Applicants for a fee waiver must provide evidence of
financial need and must meet the minimum criteria
for consideration. Fee waiver applications must
be made before the deadline for applying to the
law school through OLSAS. The fee waiver request
form may be accessed at: http://law.queensu.ca/
prospectiveStudents/forms/feeWaiver.html.
Late Applications
Late applications can be submitted only with the
permission of the Admissions Committee. Requests for
permission to submit a late application must detail all
circumstances relevant to the untimeliness. Candidates
seeking late admission must meet competitive standards
for admission. The late application request form may be
accessed at: http:// law.queensu.ca/prospectiveStudents/
forms/lateApplicationRequest.html.
Admission Inquiries
Inquiries about admissions policies, standards and
process may be directed to:
Queens University Faculty of Law
Student Services Office
Macdonald Hall, Room 200
128 Union Street
Queens University
Kingston ON K7L 3N6
Telephone: 613-533-2220
Fax: 613-533-6611
Email: jd@queensu.ca
Website: http://law.queensu.ca
Caution
Provision of false or misleading information or failure
to provide material information will invalidate the
application and will result in immediate rejection or
in the revocation of admission and/or registration.
University of Toronto
Introduction
The Faculty of Law at the University of Toronto is
an exceptional community in which to study law. A
student body with diverse ethnic, cultural, political
and socio-economic backgrounds, experiences and
interests complements the academic strength and
intellectual ambition of the faculty. Each year the
law school produces a class of JD graduates with
outstanding employment prospects by exposing our
talented students to a deep curriculum taught by
professors with international reputations for scholarly
excellence, all in close proximity to Canadas leading
legal and financial markets.
Statement of Admission Policy
The Faculty of Law seeks to identify and offer
admission to students with diverse interests and
backgrounds, who demonstrate unusually strong
academic and personal promise. The review of
applications is holistic. Consideration is given to all
the features of the application, with emphasis on a
candidates record of undergraduate and graduate
achievement, aptitude, personal experiences, interests
and character. The Admissions Committee considers a
host of academic, professional and personal factors in
its attempt to evaluate each applicants demonstrated
potential for enriching the law school community, the
profession and society.
Admission as a First-Year Applicant
There are three admission categories: General, Mature
and Aboriginal.
General Application Category
The majority of applications are made in the General
category. In this category, applicants must have
successfully completed at least three years of an
approved course, leading to a degree at a recognized
university, no later than the end of May in the year
of entry.
Mature Application Category
Mature applicants are those who have at least five
complete years of non-academic experience (that is,
experience outside of full-time study) by September of
the year of entry. With growing numbers of excellent
applications in recent years, admission through the
Mature category has been virtually as competitive as
the General category.
Aboriginal Applicants
Aboriginal people, including those of Indian (status and
non-status), Mtis and Inuit heritage, represent unique
groups in Canada and are given special consideration
when applying to the Faculty of Law. The law
school strongly encourages Aboriginal applications.
Current Aboriginal students, the Aboriginal Faculty
Advisor, the Aboriginal Program Coordinator, and
the Assistant Dean, Students, are delighted to speak
with prospective Aboriginal students about life at the
law school. Please contact the Admissions Office at
law.admissions@utoronto.ca to arrange an introduction.
Filing Applications
Applicants to the first year of the JD program (General,
Mature and Aboriginal categories) must submit
the following documentation directly to OLSAS by
November 1, 2013:
1. OLSAS application form;
2. official and original copies of all postsecondary
academic transcripts;
3. LSAT score(s); and
4. personal statement (required) and additional essay
(optional).
References are not required and, if submitted, will not
form part of the applicants file.
Online OLSAS applications are due by 11:59 p.m. EDT
on November 1, 2013, and OLSAS paper applications
must be postmarked no later than November 1, 2013.
OLSAS applications must be submitted by the deadline
listed above even if other required documents are not
yet complete or available. Applications will only be
reviewed after all documents are received.
Please refer to the Additional Information for All
Applicants section below.
Admission Process
Offers of admission begin in December. A waiting
list is established when all of the places in the class
are filled (around the end of April). All applicants will
be notified in writing of the decision regarding their
application.
Requests for deferrals are considered on an individual
basis after applicants have been admitted. Deferrals
may be granted at the discretion of the Chair of the
Admissions Committee. Applicants who are granted
a deferral pay a non-refundable administrative fee
to the Faculty.
Admission as a Transfer JD Student
Transfer Applicants
The Faculty encourages candidates who have
successfully completed their first year of an LLB or
JD program at another common law school (Canadian
or non-Canadian) to apply for entry into the second
year of our JD program. An application is considered
when the applicant has completed at least three years
of full-time undergraduate university studies and at
least four of the JD programs first-year courses, which
include: Administrative Law, Canadian Constitutional
Law, Legal Process, Contract Law, Criminal Law,
Property Law, and Torts. Generally, transfer students
will qualify for the University of Torontos JD degree
after completing two years of study at the law school.
Combined Programs for Transfer Applicants
Transfer applicants may apply for admission to one of
our combined programs (see Combined Programs
below).
Application Procedure for Transfer Applicants:
Transfer applicants must submit the following
documentation directly to OLSAS by May 1, 2014:
3. LSAT score(s);
(optional); and
5. a letter from their current law school indicating
they are in good standing and have not been
subject to any disciplinary actions.
Please refer to the Additional Information for All
Applicants section below.
Admission as a Letter of Permission
Student
Letter of Permission Applicants
Applicants who have successfully completed two
years in an LLB or JD program at another law school
will be considered for admission. These students may
apply to study for up to one academic year at the
University of Toronto as a Letter of Permission student.
The Letter of Permission is issued by the applicants
home institution. Letter of Permission students do not
receive a JD from the University of Toronto. Rather,
they receive a law degree from their home institution
(subject to the requirements of their home institution).
Application Procedure for Letter of Permission
Applicants
Letter of Permission applicants must submit the
following documentation directly to OLSAS by
May1,2014:
3. LSAT score(s);
(optional);
5. a letter of permission from the home institution;
and
6. a letter from their current law school indicating
they are in good standing and have not been
subject to any disciplinary actions.
Please also refer to the section entitled Additional
Information for All Applicants below.
Admission as a National Committee
on Accreditation (NCA) Applicant
Applicants with foreign law degrees or a civil law
degree from the province of Quebec who are seeking
to qualify to practice law in a common-law province
in Canada should first consult the NCA: www.flsc.ca.
The NCA examines the qualifications of foreign-trained
applicants and makes recommendations on behalf of
the Law Society of Upper Canada (and all other law
societies in Canada) as to the further study of law
required before the applicant is qualified to enter a
provinces licensing process. In most cases, the NCA
will recommend that the applicant successfully study
specific subjects. Successful study of these subjects
can be demonstrated by completing specific courses
at a Canadian law school or by passing NCA challenge
examinations.
Options at the Faculty of Law
There are three options at the law school for those
who would like to meet the NCAs requirements:
Global Professional Master of Laws Program
Internationally Trained Lawyers Program
Specific JD program courses
Global Professional Master of Laws Program
(GPLLM)
The GPLLM program is an executive-style, 12-month
graduate degree focused on Canadian business law
from an international perspective. Classes are held
one evening per week and on occasional weekends,
and are taught by a combination of distinguished
faculty and experienced practitioners. The GPLLM
program includes five courses designed to meet the
NCAs requirements for internationally trained lawyers:
Canadian Administrative Law
Canadian Constitutional Law
Canadian Criminal Law
Foundations of Canadian Law
Professional Responsibility
Depending on their NCA assessments, students
may simultaneously complete both a graduate
degree and the NCAs requirements. Certain courses
may also be available to students outside of the
Toronto area through our online eLearning system.
For more information about the GPLLM, visit:
www.law.utoronto.ca/GPLLM/.
Internationally Trained Lawyers Program (ITLP)
The ITLP is a multi-faceted program specifically
designed for internationally trained lawyers. The
program includes:
Preparation courses for students writing NCA
challenge exams
Legal research, writing and technology courses
Profession-specific language assessment and
training
Career counselling, employment programming,
and the opportunity for internships in law firms,
government offices and other legal workplaces
Workshops on cultural fluency and Canadian
workplace norms
Preparation courses for the Ontario licensing
exams
Certain courses may also be available to students
outside the Toronto area through an online eLearning
system. For more information about the ITLP, visit:
www.itlp.utoronto.ca.
Specific JD Program Courses
Lawyers with foreign training may also apply to
take certain courses in the JD program at the law
school to fulfill the NCAs requirements. The Faculty
of Law facilitates the professional accreditation of
foreign-trained lawyers by admitting some NCA
applicants each year to take specific courses for
credit. Admission is on a fee-for-course basis (set at
$3,500 for 20142015; subject to change in future
academic years). Selection is based primarily on the
applicants performance in previous legal studies
(including the results of NCA challenge exams) and
the assessment of the Admissions Committee. An
applicant who has failed any NCA challenge exam will
not be considered for admission. NCA students are
not eligible for financial assistance from the Faculty
of Law.
NCA applicants should note that interviews for
articling placement in Ontario generally take place
during the summer one full year prior to the start
of the placement. Applicants are advised to consult
the Law Society of Upper Canada at www.lsuc.on.ca/
licensingprocesslawyer/ or 416-947-3300 to confirm
procedures and deadlines.
Application Procedure for NCA Applicants
NCA applicants must submit the following
documentation directly to OLSAS by May 1, 2014:
2. a copy of the NCA assessment, sent directly from
the NCA;
3. LSAT score(s), if the LSAT has been taken (not
required); and
(optional).
Note: If an official NCA assessment is provided,
applicants are not required to send original transcripts
from outside Ontario.
Please also refer to the Additional Information for
All Applicants section below.
Combined Programs
The Faculty of Law partners with other faculties and
departments at the University of Toronto to offer
a number of special combined degree programs.
Combined programs allow students to complete two
degrees sooner than if the degrees were pursued
independently. Applicants interested in combined
programs must apply to, and be admitted separately
to, the JD program at the Faculty of Law and the
other program. Applicants to combined programs
must complete the OLSAS application for admission
to the JD program and must also submit a separate
application and all appropriate documentation to
the other program. Each faculty will apply its own
admission standards.
The University of Toronto currently offers the following
combined programs:
Combined
Program
Duration Combined
Program
Duration
JD/Master
of Business
Administration
4 years JD/Master of
Global Affairs
4 years
JD/Master of Arts
(Criminology)
Public Policy
4 years
JD/Master of Arts
(Economics)
Social Work
4 years
JD/Master of Arts
(English)
3 years JD/Ph.D.
(Economics)
See link
below
JD Master of Arts
(European, Russian
and Eurasian
Studies)
4 years JD/Ph.D.
(Philosophy)
See link
below
JD/Master of
Information
Studies
4 years JD/Ph.D.(Political
Science)
See link
below
Prospective combined program students should be
aware that because the first year of each of the
combined programs includes only courses at the
Faculty of Law, it is possible to apply to the combined
programs during the first year of the JD program.
In addition to these combined programs, the law
school offers a number of certificate and collaborative
programs, application to which is made during the
course of a students JD studies and not through
OLSAS. These programs include: (1) Certificate in
Sexual Diversity and Gender Studies; (2) Certificate
in Aboriginal Legal Studies; (3) Certificate in
Environmental Studies; and (4) the Collaborative
Program in Jewish Studies.
More detailed information about each combined,
certificate, and collaborative program (including
contact information) can be found on the Faculty
of Law website: www.law.utoronto.ca/programs/
combinedprograms.html.
Financial Aid
The Financial Aid program at the Faculty of Law
at the University of Toronto was designed and
developed by students for students. This program is
administered and monitored by a committee of faculty
members and elected students, and is chaired by the
Assistant Dean of Students. A few basic ideas frame
our Financial Aid programs and policies. First, we are
committed to ensuring that financial aid is available
to those students who require it most. Second, we
believe that the emphasis on financial need as the
main criterion for financial assistance serves both the
law school and the broader community by ensuring
access to legal education. The vast majority of our
financial aid is allocated on the basis of financial
need. In 20122013, the Financial Aid program
distributed close to $2.6million in bursary assistance.
In 2012-2013, there were 295 students who applied for
Financial Aid and 88% received funding. All students
who apply for financial assistance must also apply
for government student assistance. Prospective
students are encouraged to review the Financial Aid
programs available on the Faculty of Laws website at:
www.law.utoronto.ca/financialaid.
All domestic University of Toronto JD students
(including transfer students) are eligible to apply for
Faculty of Law financial aid. Letter of permission, NCA
and international students are not eligible to apply
for financial aid.
Residence and Housing
For more information about Graduate House, visit:
www.ghcommunity.info. General University of
Toronto housing information (including information
about other housing options) can be found at:
www.housing.utoronto.ca.
Additional Information for All
Applicants
Fee Waivers
An exemption of the $90 OLSAS law school fee may
be requested by those applying for entry into the
first-year and upper-year JD programs. Fee waivers
must be approved prior to submitting the OLSAS online
application. The fee waiver application is available at:
www.law.utoronto.ca/programs/feewaiver.html.
Please note before submitting your application: If
you have been in receipt of the Canada Student Grant
for Persons from Low Income Families at any time over
the past five years, the Faculty of Law at the University
of Toronto will automatically waive its institutional
application fee ($90). To receive this waiver please
check the appropriate box in your online submission.
The option will appear in the school submission
section of your application. For information about the
Canada Student Grant for Persons from Low Income
Families, please go to www.servicecanada.gc.ca/
eng/goc/grant_low_income.shtml and/or email
law.admissions@utoronto.ca.
Late Applications
The Faculty of Law at the University of Toronto
is prepared to consider requests to submit late
applications. The request should be emailed with
attachments to: law.admissions@utoronto.ca. The
law school will be more receptive to requests for late
application that are accompanied by unofficial copies
of all postsecondary transcripts (and LSAT scores, if
the LSAT has been taken at the time of application).
The LSAT is required of all JD, transfer and letter of
permission applicants (not NCA applicants). If the
LSAT is written more than once, the Admissions
Committee will consider all of the results. Emphasis
will be placed on the highest score. The LSAT must be
taken on, or before, the February 2014 test date, but
applicants are strongly encouraged to take the test at
one of the earlier sittings. For entry in September2014,
the LSAT must have been taken on, or after, the
June2009 test date.
Personal Statement and Optional Essay
The Admissions Committee does not conduct
interviews. For this reason, applicants are encouraged
to use the personal statement and optional personal
essay to highlight their academic, personal and
professional accomplishments, and share with
the Committee a more three-dimensional picture
of themselves and their vision for their own legal
education at the University of Toronto. Successful
statements tend to be those that feature clear
and authentic writing. All statements and essays
of applicants who are offered admission are read
independently by at least three (and as many as
six) members of the Admissions Committee. The
Admissions Committee includes students, senior
administrative staff and faculty members. Aboriginal
applicants are encouraged to outline in their personal
statements their interest in, identification with, and
connection to their communities.
Reference Letters
Reference letters are not required by applicants and
will not be considered if submitted.
Transcripts
Applicants who completed their undergraduate
degree (or completed more than one year of study) at
a postsecondary institution outside of Canada or the
United States may be required to submit a third-party
assessment of their transcripts (from World Evaluation
Services, or equivalent) as a condition of an offer of
admission.
Admission Inquiries
Potential applicants are advised to review the
admissions policies and procedures detailed on the
Faculty of Law admissions website (see below). Staff
members are available to answer questions in person,
by telephone or in writing. They are extrezmely
knowledgeable about the admissions process and
can assist applicants with most matters regarding
their applications.
Admissions Office
Falconer Hall, Room 108
Faculty of Law, University of Toronto
84 Queens Park
Toronto ON M5S 2C5
Telephone: 416-978-3716
Fax: 416-978-0790
Email: law.admissions@utoronto.ca
Website: www.law.utoronto.ca/admissions/
Information Sessions/Campus Tours
We invite you to meet with us at one of our open
houses or admissions information sessions. A
complete list of our recruitment events can be
found at: www. law.utoronto.ca/admissionevents/.
Prospective applicants can also book a campus tour at:
www.law.utoronto.ca/campustour/.
Introduction
Western University, founded in 1878, is one of Canadas
top research-intensive universities. We deliver
The Western Experience, an exemplary learning
experience that engages the best and brightest people,
challenging them to meet ever-higher standards in the
classroom and beyond. Our main campus, considered
to be Canadas most beautiful, spans 400 acres. From
our home in London in the heart of southwestern
Ontario, and outward across every continent, Western
prepares future leaders to succeed. With a population
of more than 366,000, London provides both the
vibrant big city experience and the safe and clean
atmosphere of a small community. Affectionately
known as the Forest City due to its numerous trees
and public parks, London boasts an extensive trail
system that runs along the Thames River right onto
Westerns campus.
Westerns Faculty of Law offers a three-year Juris
Doctor (JD) degree program as well as combined
graduate and undergraduate degrees in a number
of disciplines. An extended-time JD program is also
available. Our depth of faculty expertise, our rich array
of academic, practical, and international educational
opportunities, and our keen appreciation for the
breadth and diversity of all dimensions of the modern
law school curriculum, make the program at Western
Law an exciting, dynamic and enriching experience.
Our students succeed in career paths as diverse as our
course offerings. We have an abiding commitment to
a vision of law that is mindful of the goals of human
development and the demands of social justice.
Academic excellence is at the heart of Western Law.
Our faculty scholarship is wide-ranging and boasts
expertise in business law, international law, torts,
insurance law, intellectual property, constitutional law,
and legal ethics, among other areas. Our professors
make important contributions to the law and public
policy in Canada and the world through their scholarly
research. They also value collegiality, providing
students with significant opportunities to interact
with them as academic and professional mentors.
Unique to Western Law is the January term, where
the month is devoted to developing practical skills
for first-year students, who focus on legal research,
writing, and advocacy training, and participate in a
moot court exercise. Upper-year students choose
one limited-enrollment course from a broad range of
options, many of which are taught by distinguished
visiting professors. What also sets us apart is our
Small Group Program. All first-year students take
a core course in a small group of 18-20 students,
where they are introduced to basic legal skills and
are provided with an invaluable support system and
individualized attention from their professors. This is
further enhanced by teaching assistants who conduct
hands-on legal research instruction in the library, assist
with skills learning, and act as mentors.
The Faculty of Law is strongly committed to excellence
and diversity. While the Faculty believes that
excellence in academic studies is the best evidence
of the ability to succeed in law school, we also
believe that achievement in other areas may indicate
potential for success in legal studies. Accordingly, our
application policies, which allow applicants to show
their potential in a variety of ways, are designed to
produce a mix of students with diverse backgrounds.
Applicant Categories/
Eligibility Criteria
First Year
There are two major categories for admission into
first year: General and Discretionary. The Admissions
Committee composed of the Associate Dean
(Academic), Assistant Dean (Admissions and
Recruitment), Assistant Dean (Student Services),
faculty members, and third-year law students will
decide how many offers to make in each category.
While academic performance and LSAT scores weigh
heavily in the Admissions Committees decisions, all
applications are reviewed holistically. Competitive
profiles for each applicant category are provided
below and are intended to guide applicants in
determining the likelihood of securing a position at
Western Law. Applicants whose LSAT scores fall below
a competitive range for their category of admission
are encouraged to write the test again. Achieving
the competitive criteria in any category does not
guarantee admission.
Western University
General Category
Western prefers a minimum of three years of full-time
undergraduate university study (or equivalent),
although the majority of admitted students will
have a four-year or honours degree. A competitive
candidate in the General category will have an average
of A- (8084 percent) (GPA 3.7) and an LSAT score
above the 80
th
percentile. The Admissions Committee
considers the highest LSAT score and all grades but
will focus particularly on the last two full years of
undergraduate university study. The Committee also
considers factors other than grades and LSAT scores,
including employment, personal achievements, and
success in community and public service, business,
athletics, or the arts. A full course load throughout the
candidates academic career, enrollment in honours
programs, and graduate work are also very positive
factors.
Required documents must be submitted to the
Ontario Law School Application Service (OLSAS).
Documentation:
Official transcripts of all university work
Two confidential reference letters, one of which
must be academic
Personal statement
Discretionary Categories
For all applicants who apply in one of three
discretionary categories (Aboriginal, Access or
Mature), three years of full-time undergraduate
university study (or equivalent) is preferred. Moreover,
applicants must provide evidence confirming the basis
of their application. The Admissions Committee may
interview applicants in the discretionary categories.
Aboriginal
The Faculty of Law recognizes that members of
First Nations, Inuit, and Mtis communities are not
adequately represented within the legal profession
and therefore strongly encourages applications from
these groups. Aboriginal candidates may be admitted
unconditionally, or subject to the successful completion
of the Summer Native Law Program at the University
of Saskatchewan. Upon successful completion of that
program, credit will be given for Property Law. A
competitive candidate in the Aboriginal category will
have an overall average of B+ (78 percent) (GPA 3.3)
and an LSAT score above the 60
th
percentile.
Financial assistance is available for Mtis and
Non-Status Indians through the Department of
Justice Canadas Legal Studies for Aboriginal People
Program.
Documentation:
must be academic. The other should provide
corroboration of involvement with the Aboriginal
community.
Personal statement
Proof of Aboriginal status
Access
Access applicants are those whose academic
performance has been affected by a proven
disadvantage that may include, but is not limited
to, cultural, financial or physical barriers, and/or a
learning disability. Candidates must describe how
the disadvantage has affected their academic
record, and must provide supporting references
and documentation. Applicants with disabilities are
required to provide full documentation from qualified
professionals on their disability and its effect on their
academic record or LSAT scores. To be considered
for financial disadvantage, and since many students
work part-time, the extent of the work should be at
least 30 hours of work per week during the academic
year and should be documented by a letter from
the employer(s). Although grades may have been
affected by a proven disadvantage, applicants must
show evidence of their potential to succeed at
law school. This will require at least one academic
year of competitive grades among three years of
undergraduate university study (or equivalent). A
competitive candidate in the Access category will
have an overall average of B+ (78 percent) (GPA3.3)
and an LSAT score above the 65
th
percentile.
Documentation:
must be academic
Personal statement
Corroborative documentation to substantiate the
claim of disadvantage and demonstrate its effect
on the academic record or LSAT scores
Mature
Mature applicants must have at least five years of
non-university experience since leaving secondary
school and a minimum of two years full-time university
study (or equivalent). A competitive candidate in the
Mature category will have an overall average of B+
(78 percent) (GPA 3.3) and an LSAT score above the
65
th
percentile.
Documentation:
should be academic, if possible, and one that
provides corroboration of distinctive achievements.
This could include a letter from an employer.
Resum
Personal statement
Personal Statement
A personal statement is required from all applicants.
The statement allows the candidate to expand on
information in the autobiographical sketch and to
identify academic strengths and other achievements.
The ability to succeed in a non-academic area may
reflect characteristics that allow the Admissions
Committee to predict success in legal studies. Similarly,
the fact that a candidate has overcome a significant
disadvantage, and achieved significant success, may
also demonstrate these same characteristics. The
personal statement must be authored entirely by
the applicant and must not exceed 6,000 characters.
There are two parts to Westerns Personal Statement:
Part A, which provides suggestions about information
to include in the statement; and Part B, which requires
a response to a selected question. In Part B, applicants
choose one of four possible options.
Part A
Suggestions:
your strength in academics
how your academic program(s) and/or
employment have prepared you for the study of
law
use your Western law degree
personal and/or professional achievements
excellence in non-academic endeavours
life experiences that provide evidence of maturity,
focus, leadership, self-discipline, creativity, or the
ability to overcome adversity
if you are applying in the Access category, details
of the disadvantage or barrier that may have
affected your academic studies or Law School
Admission Test
if you are applying in the Aboriginal category, your
ties to your Aboriginal community
any other information you would like the
Admissions Committee to consider
Part B
Please write about ONE of the following:
1. Which one of your extra-curricular and/or
volunteer experiences has had the most impact
on you and why?
2. What rigorous research/writing project have you
completed and what did you learn from it?
3. What challenging ethical issue have you
encountered and how did you resolve it?
4. How might you contribute to the diversity of
the law school in terms of your background and
experience?
Note: While review of your personal statement by
others is acceptable, the statement must be written
by you alone. Extensive editing or rewriting by others
is not permissible. When you submit your personal
statement to Western University Faculty of Law
through OLSAS you are deemed to confirm that you
are the true author of the statement.
Additional Documentation
If applicable, applicants must provide the following
additional documentation:
5. Proof of permanent resident status (photocopy
of Immigration Form 1000) showing date landed.
Canadian citizens do not need to submit proof of
citizenship.
6. Proof of proficiency in English (TOEFL) for
applicants whose first language is not English
and whose university education has been in a
language other than English.
Extended-Time JD Program
The Extended-Time JD Program is available for up
to five students entering first year. The program
is designed for students who cannot manage a
full-time program because of family responsibilities,
health problems, disabilities, financial necessity, or
other special circumstances. Information outlining
the reasons for requesting the Extended-Time JD
Program should be included in the personal statement.
Incoming first-year students in the Extended-Time
JD Program are required to take Legal Ethics and
Professionalism, and one of the small-group courses,
which include Legal Research, Writing, and Advocacy
and a substantive law course. Some flexibility is
required of students in the Extended-Time JD Program,
as many courses will be scheduled during regular
day-time hours. Applicants are required to meet the
existing admissions criteria and should apply for the
Extended-Time JD Program at the same time as the
application for admission to first-year Law. Students
in the Extended-Time JD Program are required to
complete the program within six years.
The LSAT is required for all first-year applicants. The
LSAT must have been taken on or after June 2009.
February 2014 is the latest LSAT score accepted
for September 2014 admission. It is strongly
recommended that applicants write the LSAT no
later than December 2013. Since the results of the
February LSAT are not provided to Law Admissions
until late March, applicants who write the February
2014 LSAT may prejudice their chance of admission.
Deadlines for First-Year Applicants
Application, reference letters and transcripts:
November 1, 2013.
Admission to Second or Third Year
There are four categories of applicants to second
and third year:
1. Transfer
2. Letter of Permission
3. Advanced Standing
4. National Committee on Accreditation
The number of admissions in these categories is
limited by the availability of places in the second
and third year.
Required documents (as specified for each category)
must be submitted directly from the institution to
OLSAS.
Transfer
Students currently enrolled in first year at another
Canadian law school may be admitted as transfer
students to the second year of the Western Law
program. Transfer students who successfully complete
the last two years of the program will receive a JD
degree from Western University. Given the limited
number of spaces, priority is given to the most
qualified candidates and those applicants who, for
compassionate reasons, may be seeking a transfer
to Western Law.
Documentation:
Final transcript from current law school
Documentation of the LSAT score(s) sent directly
by the current law school
Two confidential reference letters from law
professors
A personal statement explaining the applicants
reason(s) for seeking a transfer
A letter from the current law school confirming
in good standing
Letter of Permission
Students currently enrolled at a Canadian law school
can apply to study for one academic year at Western
Law on a letter of permission prescribing a program
of approved courses from their current law school.
Typically, these requests are made by second-year
students seeking to study at Western in their third year.
Students who successfully complete the approved
program on a letter of permission do not receive a
JD degree from Western. Rather, they receive a law
degree from their home law school.
Documentation:
Final transcript from current law school
Documentation of the LSAT score(s) sent directly
by the current law school
professors
applicants reason(s) for studying on a letter of
permission
in good standing
Advanced Standing
all of their legal education outside of Canada may
be considered for admission with advanced standing.
Except in extraordinary circumstances, students
will not receive more than one years advanced
standing. If admitted, students will be required to
satisfy the program requirements of Western Law.
Upon successful completion of the program, students
are eligible to receive a JD degree from Western
University. Advanced standing applicants who have
not written the LSAT are required to do so. June 2014
LSAT scores will be accepted for fall 2014 admission.
Documentation:
A final transcript of work completed
professors
Documentation of the LSAT score(s)
standing
in good standing
National Committee on Accreditation (NCA)
Lawyers qualified to practice law in a foreign
jurisdiction, who are seeking admission to practice
in Canada, should first apply to:
1810-45, rue OConnor Street
Ottawa ON K1P 1A4
Telephone: 613-236-7250, ext. 229
The NCA assesses the applicants credentials in order
to determine the Canadian legal education required
to bring the applicant to a level equivalent to the
Canadian JD degree. Based on this assessment, the
NCA recommends the courses the applicant requires.
A person admitted in this category does not receive
a JD degree from Western University.
Documentation:
Copy of the NCAs recommendation, sent directly
from the NCA
Two confidential reference letters (one academic,
if possible)
Documentation of the LSAT score(s), if ever
written
A personal statement
Note: If an official NCA assessment is provided,
applicants are not required to send original transcripts
from outside Ontario.
Deadline for Upper-Year Applicants
Application, reference letters, and transcripts:
May1,2014.
Combined Degree Programs
Western Law offers a variety of joint, exchange, and
special programs. These programs provide students
with unique learning opportunities and the ability to
specialize or pursue their individual interests. These
programs are described in greater detail on our
website. Applications for the undergraduate programs
listed below are submitted directly to the Admissions
Office at the Faculty of Law.
Undergraduate combined degree programs
(leading to both degrees in six years)
HBA (Business)/JD
BESc (Engineering)/JD
BSc (Computer Science)/JD
Honors BA (History)/JD
BA (Kinesiology)/JD
Honors BA MIT (Media, Information and
Technoculture)/JD
Honors BA (Political Science)/JD
Graduate combined degree programs
JD/MSc (Computer Science)
JD/MSc (Geology or Geophysics)
JD/MA (History)
JD/MBA (Business Administration)
See additional information below.
JD/LLM (University of Groningen, The Netherlands)
Other combined programs
Western/Laval University (where students can
obtain both common law and civil law degrees
after a combined four years of study at both
institutions).
Diplme de Franais Juridique (offered with the
Department of French and designed to meet
the needs of students wishing to achieve a high
level of fluency in written and spoken French for
professional reasons). Applications for the Diplme
de Franais Juridique program are available from,
and should be submitted to, the Faculty of Law
Admissions Office after the student is admitted
to the law program. The only entry date for the
program is at the commencement of a students
JD program.
JD/MBA Program
The JD/MBA program is a limited-enrollment program
administered jointly by the Faculty of Law and the
Richard Ivey School of Business. The program is
designed for candidates who envision a career
in areas where business and law are integrated.
Students complete both degrees in three years
instead of the four it would take if the programs
were completed consecutively. For more details visit:
www.ivey.uwo.ca/mba/about/jd-mba.htm.
To be eligible for the JD/MBA program, students
must be admitted to both the Richard Ivey School
of Business and the Faculty of Law. The application
for admission consists of two parts:
An application to the Faculty of Law for admission
to the JD program. Deadline: November 1, 2013.
An application to the Richard Ivey School
of Business for admission to the MBA
program. This application is available online:
www.ivey.uwo.ca.
International Exchange and Internship Programs
Western Law values and embraces the international
experience, believing that in this era of globalization,
exposure to another legal system is of tremendous
importance. Our extensive exchange and international
law internship programs provide students with an
enhanced perspective and a keen understanding of
the rule of law beyond our borders. Western Law has
established exchange partnerships with 24 leading law
schools around the world. Each year, we send students
to law schools in the United States, the United
Kingdom, Hong Kong, Singapore, India, Australia, New
Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands,
Germany, France, Spain and Qubec. Through our
thriving International Summer Law Internship Program
(ISLIP), students have the opportunity to intern with
government departments, international organizations,
non-governmental organizations, and private
industries, where they can further hone their ability to
succeed and prosper in an increasingly interdependent
global system. For additional information about
the variety of opportunities available, please
see the Academic Programs link on our website:
www.law.uwo.ca.
Other Opportunites
For further information about Western Laws special
programs, intensive courses, advocacy competitions,
speaker programs, research groups, clinical programs,
and student life, please visit our website at:
www.law.uwo.ca.
Supplementary Information For
All Applicants
Assessment of Foreign Transcripts
studies outside of Canada and the United States
must have their foreign transcript assessed by World
Education Services (WES) or equivalent. Applicants
who have undertaken graduate studies outside of
Canada and the United States are not required to have
their foreign transcript assessed by WES or equivalent,
although such an assessment may be requested. NCA
applicants will not be required to have their foreign
transcripts assessed by WES or equivalent. Visit:
www.wes.org/ca/.
Documentation
all documentation is submitted to OLSAS by the
published deadlines.
Requests for a one-year deferral of admission will be
considered on an individual basis after applicants have
been admitted. Written requests, with supporting
documentation, should be submitted to the Assistant
Dean (Admissions and Recruitment). If a deferral
is granted, applicants will be required to pay the
non-refundable deposit to secure their position in the
following years class. The deposit will be applied to
tuition for the following year.
Fee Waivers
Applications for a waiver of Western Universitys
portion of the application fee should be made directly
to the Admissions Office at the Faculty of Law prior to
submitting the Law School application through OLSAS.
Granting of fee waivers is discretionary and rare.
Late Applications
Requests for permission to submit late applications
must be provided, in writing, to the Assistant Dean
(Admissions and Recruitment) with full details of
the reason(s) for the request, including supporting
documentation. Deadline extensions are rarely granted.
Students entering the first-year class may receive
Dean of Law entrance scholarships ranging from
$1,000 to $15,000. Descriptions of entrance
scholarships available through the Faculty of
Law may be found under the Admissions link at:
www.law.uwo.ca. All admitted students will
be considered for other merit-based entrance
scholarships without further application.
Government and Student Loans
Both the federal and provincial governments
provide student financial assistance for Canadian
citizens and permanent residents studying at the
postsecondary level. Financial assistance is in the
form of an interest-free loan while a full-time student.
Ontario students should apply to the Ontario Student
Assistance Program (OSAP) at: https://osap.gov.on.ca/
OSAPPortal/. Students from other provinces should
obtain application information by contacting the
appropriate government office in their province.
Bursaries
More than 50 percent of Westerns law students qualify
for bursaries each year. In order to be considered for
an entrance bursary, which is non-repayable, students
must also apply for government student loans. The
online entrance bursary application is available in
January. This information is sent to applicants via email
with the confirmation of receipt of applications. For
further information see the Student Finances link at:
www.registrar.uwo.ca.
False or Misleading Information
Applications that are discovered to contain false or
misleading information will be immediately rejected
or result in the revocation of admission and/or
registration.
Inquiries
If you have questions about the application and receipt
of supporting documents, please contact OLSAS.
If you have questions about the admissions policies
and standards, or if you wish to arrange a tour of
Western Law with a student ambassador, please
contact:
Admissions
Faculty of Law
Western University
London ON N6A 3K7
Telephone: 519-661-3347
Fax: 519-661-2063
Email: lawapp@uwo.ca
Website: www.law.uwo.ca
We invite you to meet with us at Western Universitys
Graduate and Professional Careers Fair on
October24,2013.
Introduction
The Faculty of Law, University of Windsor, is
celebrating its 45
th
anniversary. We have an
international reputation for our focus on the themes
of Access to Justice and transnational legal issues. It
permeates all that we do our admission policy, our
curriculum, our experiential learning, and our research.
The Faculty of Law is located on the main campus of
the University of Windsor, approximately two miles
west of downtown Windsor. The campus is situated
on the Detroit River at the foot of the Ambassador
Bridge to the United States. The faculty is accredited
by the Law Society of Upper Canada and all of the
other common law societies in Canada.
Admission and Criteria
At Windsor Law, we review all applications for
admission through a holistic lens. Candidates have the
opportunity to provide the Admission Committee with
a range of information that supports their application
for entry. A candidate seeking admission to the
studies leading to the Juris Doctor (JD) degree must
follow the procedures and submit the documentation
required for the year in which the applicant wishes
to enter. The Admission Committee establishes the
admission policy and criteria, as well as procedures
for the assessment of applications. The committee
consists of the Dean of the Faculty of Law (ex-
officio), the Associate Dean as Chair, the Assistant
Dean (Student Services) as Vice Chair, professors
and students. Admission criteria and procedures are
established by the Admission Committee for each
admission year. Admission criteria and procedures for
the current entering class are set out below.
Objective
The objective of the admission policy is to select
those students who will excel in the study of law and
who have the potential to contribute creatively and
meaningfully to the law school and the community.
Criteria
The majority of applicants are considered by the
Admission Committee in the framework of the
following criteria:
1. University Program
This category comprises undergraduate average
and academic performance trends in light of
relevant considerations; awards and prizes; the
nature and content of the program taken; the level
of any degree(s) or diplomas obtained.
2. Work Experience
Part-time, summer and full-time work experience
is analyzed for signs of organizational and
administrative skills as well as initiative. Vocational,
professional or other special qualifications will be
considered.
3. Community Involvement
Contribution to the community (city/town,
university, religious, etc.) will be assessed for
indications of commitment to the community.
Factors examined include the nature of the
applicants participation in service clubs,
community service organizations, religious,
athletic, and social organizations.
4. Personal Accomplishments
Factors can include extracurricular activities,
hobbies and special accomplishments; artistic
and athletic accomplishments; communication
skills and languages spoken.
5. Career Objectives
The applicants career objectives, including how
and where the legal education will be employed,
are considered.
6. Personal Considerations
Personal factors affecting the applicant are
recognized in this section. Any personal factors
such as illness, bereavement, unusual family
responsibilities or other such circumstances,
which may have some bearing on the applicants
qualifications, will be noted.
University of Windsor
7. Law School Admission Test Scores (LSAT)
All first-year applicants must write the LSAT. The
LSAT is administered several times each year at
convenient locations in Canada and the United
States. For detailed information, applicants can
refer to the LSAT Registration and Information
Book or can contact the Law School Admission
Council:
Law School Admission Council
662 Penn Street
Newtown, Pennsylvania 18940
Website: www.lsac.org
It is not necessary to apply to the Faculty of Law
prior to registration for the LSAT. The last LSAT test
score accepted will be the December score. Offers
of admission are made on a rolling basis. Application
files held pending the December LSAT results may
be disadvantaged. LSAT scores written more than
six years prior to the academic year of application
will not be considered.
We emphasize that no one single factor is solely
determinative of admission to Windsor Law. The
Admission Committee assesses applications in light
of the criteria above. The chief source of information
about applicants is that which is provided by them
in their Personal Profile. Applicants should take care
to present a full and rounded view of themselves in
their Personal Profile.
The application and the Personal Profile have
been developed to provide the applicant with the
opportunity to assemble a persuasive case for
admission. Members of the Admission Committee will
assess the information provided to determine whether
the applicant is likely to succeed in law studies; has
social skills, relates well to people; has talent for
administration and organization (particularly of his
or her own time); has a well-developed and focused
career plan based upon a sound perception of his or
her capabilities; and displays leadership qualities and
writing skills.
In the application, the applicant is expected to identify
significant experiences and accomplishments, and
indicate how they relate to the admission criteria.
For example, particular experiences (work, cultural,
sporting and academic) should be described in
sufficient detail to permit the evaluators to make an
assessment. Any experience that demonstrates that
the applicant is self-disciplined and committed to
excellence in any field, should be described.
Further, Committee members are interested in those
experiences that tend to show that the applicant is
devoted to self-improvement and involvement in
the community and service to others. Contributions
to hospitals, charitable organizations, religious
institutions, disadvantaged and underprivileged
groups and individuals, political parties and athletics
will, among other activities, help to demonstrate this.
If the candidate is a member of a group that is
disadvantaged for any reason, these circumstances
should be made known.
Applications from Aboriginal Canadians
The Faculty of Law recognizes that Aboriginal
Canadians are not adequately represented within
the legal profession. The admission policy of the
Faculty of Law encourages Aboriginal Canadians
to pursue legal studies. Please visit our website at:
www.uwindsor.ca/law/aboriginal/.
Aboriginal Canadian applicants who are considered
to have good potential for the study of law may
receive unconditional or a conditional acceptance
to the Faculty of Law. Applicants who have received
a conditional acceptance and who have successfully
completed the Program of Legal Studies for Native
People offered each summer by the Native Law Centre
at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, will
be admitted to the first year of the JD program at
Windsor and are eligible for course credit (advanced
standing) for one first-year course.
An Aboriginal Canadian applicant who wishes to
be considered under this policy, rather than under
general admission criteria, must apply to Windsor
Law in accordance with the admission procedures
previously set out. The applicant must include with
her or his application a letter advising of the intention
to complete the Program of Legal Studies for Native
People at the University of Saskatchewan should he
or she receive a conditional acceptance.
For more information on the Program of Legal Studies
for Native People contact:
Native Law Centre, University of Saskatchewan
141 Diefenbaker Centre
Saskatoon SK S7N 5B8
Telephone: 306-966-6189
Fax: 306-966-6207
Website: www.usask.ca/nativelaw/
Although Aboriginal Canadian applicants are
encouraged to complete the LSAT, in special
circumstances this requirement may be waived on
application. Some Aboriginal students are sponsored
and/or have their tuition paid by their First Nations
Education Authority. Applicants are advised to contact
the Authority and the Cashiers Office at the university.
The Cashiers Office will then contact the First Nations
Education Authority and make arrangements to have
their tuition paid.
Application Procedures
All Ontario law schools use a common electronic
Application for Admission to an Ontario Law School.
This Application, other admission materials and a
Personal Profile for the University of Windsor is
available at: www.ouac.on.ca/olsas/.
Application Deadlines
The application deadline for the JD program is:
November 1 each year.
The application deadline for the Canadian & American
Dual JD Program is April 15 each year.
The Admission Committee evaluates applicants for first
year on a continuous basis as the files are completed.
All files must contain:
1. OLSAS application
2. University of Windsor Personal Profile
3. All official transcripts*
4. Current official LSAT score report; LSAT scores
written in the previous six years
5. Two (2) letters of reference (one academic and
one non-academic) on the forms specifically
provided for this purpose**
6. Canadian & American Dual JD Program
Supplemental Application Form (if applicable)
*The Canadian & American Dual JD Program
requires completion of an undergraduate degree
no later than August 1, 2014. Also, those who
have received an offer of admission into the
Canadian & American Dual JD Program must
submit final official transcripts no later than
August 1, 2014, unless they have just completed
their degree.
**Each applicant is required to submit two letters
of reference. Those applicants who have attended
a postsecondary institution during the three years
prior to the application are required to submit
one academic reference and one non-academic
reference. Others may submit two non-academic
references. Reference forms are provided by, and
should be forwarded directly to OLSAS by the
referee.
Late Applications
Ontario Law School applications are due at the
Ontario Universities Application Centre (OUAC) on
November 1, 2013. After this date, any interested
applicants may request an extended deadline by
sending an email to uwlaw@uwindsor.ca and
addressing it to:
Chair, Admission Committee
Faculty of Law, University of Windsor
401 Sunset Avenue
Windsor ON N9B 3P4
Such applicants must state their reasons for failing
to meet the original deadlines.
It is the applicants responsibility to ensure that their
application materials and supporting documents
are complete. Incomplete applications will not be
considered.
Applications for Transfer into the JD Program
Subject to the availability of places, the Faculty of
Law may admit candidates who have successfully
completed the first year of a JD program at another
common law school into the second year of the
JD program. Preference will be given to applicants
who have attended a Canadian common law school.
Candidates may be eligible for the JD degree from
the University of Windsor upon successful completion
of two years of academic work, subject to meeting
the Facultys academic requirements. The deadline
for applications is May 1 each year. All applications
are subject to Windsor Laws usual admission criteria.
Where necessary, the Admission Committee may ask
candidates to have their academic record evaluated
by World Education Services (WES) or other similar
service.
Applications for Advanced Standing to
the JD Program
Individuals who have attended a foreign law school for
more than one year may apply for Advanced Standing
into the JD program. This will normally require two
years or more of full-time study in the JD program
at Windsor Law. Candidates may be eligible for the
JD degree from the University of Windsor upon the
successful completion of two years of academic work,
subject to meeting the Faculty of Laws academic
requirements. The deadline for applications is May
1 each year. All applications are subject to our usual
admission criteria. Where necessary, the Admission
Committee may ask candidates to have their academic
record interpreted and/or translated by WES or other
similar service.
Students Visiting on a Letter of Permission
Subject to the availability of places, the Faculty of
Law may admit into the program of study visiting
students from other law schools for up to one year.
The deadline for applications is May 1 of each year.
All applications are subject to Windsor Laws usual
admission criteria. Where necessary, the Admission
Committee may ask candidates to have their academic
record evaluated by WES or other similar service.
Certificate of Equivalence Applicants
Individuals who have completed their law degree at
a foreign law school or who are qualified to practice
in a foreign jurisdiction may apply for a Certificate
of Equivalence from the National Committee on
Accreditation (NCA), which may be acceptable
to some Law Societies in Canada. Subject to the
availability of places, applicants may be admitted into
the program of study for less than two years of study
if recommended by the NCA. No degree is granted
by the University of Windsor. Applicants are required
to submit the NCA Assessment Result letter or report
from the NCA. Information concerning the NCA may
be obtained by contacting:
c/o Federation of Law Societies of Canada
1810 45 OConnor Stree
Ottawa ON K1P 1A4
Telephone: 613-236-7250, ext. 229
Study Exchanges
The University of Windsor has developed a broad
range of student exchange partnerships with other
universities around the world. Students currently
attending one of our partner institutions are invited to
apply for an exchange through their exchange office.
A current list of our exchange partners is available at:
www.uwindsor.ca/studentexchange/.
Admission to the Practice of Law
A law degree does not in itself entitle one to practice
law. Applicants who propose to enter the practice of
law in any province or territory of Canada must consult
directly with the Law Society of such province or
territory to determine its requirements for admission.
The Law Society of Upper Canada, in prescribing
the conditions for admission to the practice of law
in Ontario, requires that all students have graduated
from an approved course of no less than three years
leading to the Juris Doctor degree in an approved
law school.
The law program at the Faculty of Law, University of
Windsor, has been approved by the Law Society of
Upper Canada and students graduating with the JD
degree, who otherwise meet the Law Society of Upper
Canadas requirements, are eligible for admission to
membership in the Law Society of Upper Canada
and for entrance to the Licensing Process. Further
and updated information concerning admission to
the Law Society of Upper Canada is available at:
www.lsuc.on.ca.
Programs at Windsor
JD Program
The program leading to the degree of Juris Doctor
(JD) requires admission as a full-time student for three
years or as a half-time student for six years.
First-Year Program
The first-year curriculum provides a basic level of
instruction through mandatory courses in all the
fundamental areas, problems and principles of law.
The compulsory first-year curriculum includes: Access
to Justice; Property; Contracts; Criminal Law and
Procedure; Constitutional Law; and Legal Research
and Writing.
Upper-Year Program
The required second-year courses are Civil Procedure
and Torts I. In their upper years, students must also
complete a research paper worth at least 50 percent
of the grade in any course, one course from a group
of courses that gives a broader perspective of the
legal process and legal theory, one course from a
group of courses on transnational law, and a course
on professional legal ethics. The remainder of the JD
program is comprised of optional courses that meet
the individual students needs and interests.
Canadian & American Dual JD Program
The Faculty of Law, University of Windsor (Windsor
Law), and the University of Detroit Mercy School
of Law (UDM Law) have collaborated to create a
unique dual Canadian & American law degree program
(formerly known as the JD/LLB Program). This is
the only comparative program of its kind in Canada
or the United States in which students can earn two
law degrees in three years. Successful graduates earn
both an American JD and a Canadian Juris Doctor.
A Windsor Law JD is a second entry undergraduate
professional degree. The Windsor Law JD is not
recognized by the American Bar Association (ABA).
The University of Detroit Mercy JD is recognized by
the ABA, allowing graduates to sit for any bar exam in
the United States. Therefore, the Canadian& American
Dual JD Program prepares its graduates to sit for
both Canadian and US bar exams, and to practice in
both countries.
The Canadian & American Dual JD Program requires
students to successfully complete 60 credit hours
of course work at UDM Law and 44 credit hours of
course work at Windsor Law. Most required courses
taken at either law school provide a comparative
analysis of both US and Canadian law relevant to the
subject area.
Admission and Criteria
Applicants must have successfully completed their
undergraduate degree no later than the beginning
of August in the year of entry.
Applicants are considered by the Canadian & American
Dual JD Program Admissions Committee using the
following seven criteria:
1. grade point average and university program;
2. work experience;
3. community involvement;
4. personal accomplishments;
5. career objectives;
6. personal considerations; and
7. LSAT score.
The Canadian & American Dual JD Program Admissions
Committee places greater weight on the applicants
grade point average and LSAT score. However, there
are no cut-offs for the program with respect to
these scores. The Admissions Committee assesses
applications in light of all the above criteria. The
chief source of information about an applicant is the
information provided by them in the Personal Profile
that they submit with their application. Applicants
should take care to present a full and rounded view
of themselves in their Personal Profile.
Canadian & American Dual JD Program
Application Procedure
Applications are considered for first-year enrollment
only; current law students cannot transfer into
the Canadian & American Dual JD Program. The
Admissions Committee is composed of faculty
members from both the University of Detroit Mercy
School of Law and the Faculty of Law, University of
Windsor.
In addition, UDM Law requires a Supplemental
Application Form, which must be completed and
sent to the Ontario Universities Application Centre.
All applicants to the Canadian & American Dual JD
Program must provide the following:
1. OLSAS application;
2. University of Windsor Personal Profile;
3. all official transcripts;
4. current LSAT score;
5. two letters of reference (one academic and one
non-academic); and
6. Canadian & American Dual JD Program
Supplemental Application Form.
Application Deadline: April 15, 2014
Completed applications for admission to the
Canadian & American Dual JD Program must be
received at OLSAS no later than April 15, 2014.
Applicants seeking to enter the Canadian & American
Dual JD Program should indicate so on the application.
Late Applications
After April 15, 2014, any interested applicants may
request an extended deadline by sending an email
to uwlaw@uwindsor.ca and addressing it to:
Director, Canadian & American Dual JD Program
Faculty of Law, University of Windsor
401 Sunset Avenue
Windsor ON N9B 3P4
Such applicants must state their reasons for failing
to meet the original deadline of April 15, 2014.
Application files for the Canadian & American Dual
JD Program must be complete by May 15, 2014. Files
completed after this date may not be considered.
Immigration Requirements
Students in the program will have to meet the usual
Canadian and American immigration requirements
to obtain visas for entry into Canada and the United
States. An immigration firm in the United States has
been hired to provide admitted students assistance
with their visa applications. There is no additional cost
for this assistance. Students must also have a valid
passport from their country of citizenship.
Course of Study as of 20142015
Academic Year
First Year
Windsor Law: Cdn & US Property Law (seven credits),
Cdn & US Contracts (seven credits), Cdn & US Criminal
Law (six credits), Cdn Constitutional Law (five credits).
UDM Law: Comparative Legal Writing & Research
(9 credits).
The Comparative Legal Writing & Research course
at UDM Law is a unique course specifically designed
for students in the Canadian & American Dual JD
Program. Students will learn the legal research
methods and legal processes involved in both Canada
and the United States, as well as prepare a number of
written assignments and participate in a moot court
experience specifically designed for each jurisdiction.
Summer after First Year
UDM Law: US Civil Procedure (three credits), Cdn&US
Professional Responsibility (four credits).
Second Year
Windsor Law: Civil Procedure (four credits).
UDM Law: Cdn & US Evidence (five credits), Cdn
& US Torts I (five credits), US Constitutional Law
(four credits), Cdn & US Business Organizations (five
credits).
Third Year
Windsor Law: Sufficient electives to complete 44
total credits at Windsor.
UDM Law: Cross Border Sales and Financing
Transactions (eight credits), Law Firm Program (three
credits), and sufficient electives to complete 60 total
credits at UDM Law.
Other requirements: US Tax (four credits) and an
Upper Level Writing course (two credits).
The Integrated MSW/JD Program
The objective of the Master of Social Work/Juris
Doctor (MSW/JD) joint degree program is to promote
the integration of law and social work through an
interdisciplinary commitment to social justice. The
joint degree program is designed to enable a student
to obtain a Juris Doctor and a Master of Social Work
a full year sooner than would be possible had the
student chosen to pursue the degrees independently.
Applicants who hold a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
degree will be eligible to complete the program in
three years, while students without a BSW will be
eligible to complete it in four years. Applicants seeking
to enter the MSW/JD program should indicate so on
the application. Applicants to the MSW/JD program
must apply separately to the Faculty of Law and the
School of Social Work and meet the admission criteria
for each program.
Half-Time Law Study
The Faculty of Law, University of Windsor, has a
limited enrollment Half-time Law Study Program.
Half-time studies are intended for those who are
unable to study full time. The program cannot be
completed through evening courses only.
Applicants for the Half-time Program must meet the
Facultys general admission requirements or special
admission requirements for Aboriginal Canadians.
In addition, applicants must demonstrate that they
are unable to attend law school on a full-time basis
because of one or more of the following reasons:
1. Exceptional family obligations either to young
children or dependants (including persons with a
disability or requiring special care) requiring their
presence at home.
2. Substantial financial hardship (e.g., loss or
reduction in employment imposing significant
financial hardship, with particular attention being
given to single income families or people on
limited or tentative incomes).
3. Where there is a requirement for a reduced work
load due to the applicants health or disability.
4. Career: In very limited circumstances, consideration
may also be given to occupational involvement
where an applicant is established in a public
service career whose work would be assisted
and improved by the study of law.
All candidates applying to the Half-time Program
must attach, to their regular applications, a written
statement and any supporting documentation relevant
to their need for attending the Half-time Program
using the criteria listed above to provide a detailed
explanation of why they are unable to attend as a
full-time student.
Other Programs and Activities
The following programs are available to second
and third-year law students. Details regarding the
application process are contained in the Faculty of
Law Calendar.
Windsor Laws experiential learning curriculum
features the Clinical Law Program, which sensitizes
law students to the various roles that lawyers perform
as client counsellors, advocates, policymakers, legal
scholars, and custodians of the legal system, and
offers academic term credit. The program includes
Community Legal Aid (CLA) and Legal Assistance
of Windsor (LAW).
The Intellectual Property Law Institute (IPLI), a joint
effort of the University of Detroit Mercy, Wayne State
University, and the University of Windsor, features
courses taught by either full-time law professors
of one of the three participating law schools or by
practicing lawyers with extensive experience in some
area of intellectual property.
The Northwest Territories Clerkship Program enables
students to serve as a clerk for the Supreme Court
of the Northwest Territories as a research project
for credit towards their JD. As a clerk, the student is
based in Yellowknife, NWT, and travels occasionally to
outlying regions with the Supreme Court of the NWT.
Windsor Law has a Student Clerkship Program that
exposes students to the experience of clerking with
Ontario courts and the benefits of interaction with
judges. There are Provincial Court Criminal Clerkships
and Provincial Court Family Law Clerkships in Windsor,
plus a Provincial Court Clerkship in Newmarket,
Ontario.
The Centre for Enterprise and Law (CEL) offers
students an opportunity to do an Advanced IP/
Business Law Practicum in which teams of business
students and law students will provide local
entrepreneurs with business and legal support.
The Environmental Law Clinic will provide students the
unique opportunity to refine their understanding of
environmental law and network with decision-makers
in both Canada and the United States.
Our very robust Moot Program includes the Arnup Cup
Moot, Bertha Wilson Moot, CNMAC-ADR International
Moot, Competitive Client Counselling Moot, Corporate/
Securities Moot, Donald G. Bowman National Tax
Moot, Gale Moot, Harold G. Fox Moot, International
Criminal Law Moot, International Mediation Moot,
Jessup International Moot, Kawaskimhon Aboriginal
Moot, Koskie Minsky Diversity Moot, Laskin Moot, the
Niagara International Moot and others.
Activities
Students may volunteer in the following: Legal
Assistance of Windsor, Community Legal Aid, Pro Bono
Students Canada, Law Enforcement Accountability
Project (LEAP), the Windsor Review of Legal and
Social Issues (a student run journal), Justice at Work,
the Peer Mentorship Program (PMP), the Student Law
Society (SLS), and various student groups and clubs.
Entrance Awards And Scholarships
Blake Cassels and Graydon LLP
Two $1,250 scholarships will be presented to students
entering Law I of the JD Program. Students are selected
on the basis of academic performance. Community
service may also be taken into consideration. This
scholarship was established by Blake Cassels and
Graydon LLP. No application is required.
Canadian & American Dual JD Program Entrance
Scholarship
A $5,000 scholarship will be presented to the top
student entering the Canadian and American Dual
JD Program. No application is required.
Jennifer Mercanti Entrance Scholarship
Interest from the trust will be presented to a Law 1
student with financial need. This bursary was
established in 2009. It was previously named the Class
of 2000 and 2001 Entrance Bursary and renamed in
2012 by Jennifer Mercanti 00. This award is subject
to OSOTF requirements. Apply online.
R. Lawrence DeShield Entrance
Scholarship in Law
Interest from the trust account will be presented to
a student in Law I who has demonstrated financial
need as well as strong academic performance.
This scholarship was established in 2005 by Wira
DeShield Vendrasco. This award is subject to OSOTF
requirements. Apply online.
Ron W. Ianni Entrance Scholarship in Law
Interest from the trust account will be presented to a
student in Law I who has demonstrated financial need
as well as a strong academic performance. Friends of
Dr. Ianni established this award in 1998. This award is
subject to OSOTF requirements. Apply online.
Justice Harry S. LaForme Entrance Bursary for
Aboriginal Law Students
A $500 bursary will be presented to all Aboriginal
students entering Law I upon the successful
completion of the Native Law Program at the University
of Saskatchewan. This bursary was established in 2007
to recognize the appointment of Justice LaForme to
the Court of Appeal for Ontario. Justice LaForme is
the first Aboriginal Person appointed to an appellate
court in Canada. No application is required.
Rae Marcus Scholarship
Interest from the trust will be presented to a mature
student, preferably female, entering Law I at the
Faculty of Law, on the basis of academic standing
and financial need. This scholarship was established
in 1991 in memory of Rae Marcus 85. Apply online.
McTague Law Firm LLP Entrance Scholarship
Interest from the trust will be presented to a Law I
student based on financial need and academic merit.
McTague Law Firm LLP established this scholarship
in 2004. This scholarship is subject to OSOTF
Miller Thomson LLP National
Entrance Scholarship
A $2,500 scholarship will be presented to a
student entering Law I. Applicants must have had
high academic achievement in their final year of
undergraduate/graduate studies, financial need,
and extracurricular/community involvement. Miller
Thomson LLP established this scholarship in 2003.
This scholarship is subject to OSOTF requirements.
Apply online.
Newton Rowell Scholarship
Three $2,500 scholarships will be presented to
students entering Law I on the basis of academic
excellence as well as a demonstrated interest in and
commitment to public service. This scholarship was
established in 1992 by the Honourable Henry N.R.
Jackman, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, in honour
of his grandfather, Newton Rowell, a public servant,
lawyer and judge. No application is required.
Harold John Ross Memorial Entrance Bursary
student based on financial need. Academic standing
may be taken into consideration. This award was
established in 2003 by Nancy Ross 05 and dedicated
to her husband, Harold, after his passing in 2005.
Harold was a wonderful man who supported and
admired Windsor Law. This award is subject to OSOTF
University of Windsor Law Entrance Award
Four $500 awards will be presented to students
entering Law I with superior admissions qualifications.
No application is required.
Michael A. Wadsworth, Q.C.
Memorial Scholarship
student based on financial need, academic standing
and involvement in sports. This scholarship was
established in 2006 by the Stitt Feld Handy Group
in memory of Michael A. Wadsworth, Q.C. This award
is subject to OSOTF requirements. Apply online.
Waterloo Law Association Entrance Scholarship
A $2,000 scholarship will be presented to a student
entering the JD Program based on academic
excellence, financial need, extracurricular involvement
and/or volunteer work. Preference will be given to
students with a connection to the Region of Waterloo.
Apply online.
Windsor University Faculty Association
Scholarship Fund
Ten entrance scholarships valued at $1,200 each will
be presented: one for each undergraduate faculty and
one at large. Eligible students must be residents
of Essex, Kent or Lambton counties, who have not
received a concurrent award greater than $2,000.
Candidates entering first-year university must have
an average of at least 80 percent; candidates entering
the faculties of Law and Education must have an A
average. No application required.
Information Regarding Applications
Applicant Services/Law Division
University of Windsor
401 Sunset Avenue
Windsor ON N9B 3P4
Telephone: 519-253-3000,
ext. 6459, 6460, 6461, 6462
Fax: 519-971-3653
Email: lawadmit@uwindsor.ca
OLSAS 2014
Applicants Checklist
Before submitting your application, make sure you have checked the following:
Have you sent the correct fees (application and transcript)?
Have you sent the Canadian Immigration Record of Landing if you are
a permanent resident?
For all postsecondary institutions other than Ontario universities and
colleges, have you requested that the Registrars Office send transcripts
to OLSAS for all work prior to the current academic year?
Have you arranged to write the LSAT, if required?
Have you requested letters of reference using the Confidential Reference
Forms provided?
Be sure that your OUAC/OLSAS Reference Number, legal surname and all given
names (in the same order) appear on all correspondence with the OUAC and
the Faculties of Law.
Ce document est galement disponible en franais.
To obtain this document in an alternative format, contact:
Telephone: 519-823-1063
Fax: 519-822-1682
Website: www.ouac.on.ca/about-accessibility/
Ontario Universities Application Centre www.ouac.on.ca/olsas/

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