Prospective Students

Law School Admission Test (LSAT)

The Law School Admission Test is required for all applicants to first year. Further details and the on-line application is available at www.LSAC.org.
Although the LSAT need not be written before applying, the February LSAT is the latest LSAT score accepted for admission in September of the same year. It is strongly recommended that applicants write the LSAT by December.

LSAT Preparation Courses (link to pdf file)

Assessment of foreign transcripts

Applicants who have undertaken undergraduate studies outside of Canada and the United States must have their foreign transcript assessed by World Education Services 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 World Education Services or equivalent, although such assessment may be requested. Candidates from the National Committee of Accreditation will not be required to have their foreign transcripts assessed by World Education Services of equivalent. www.wes.org/ca

Personal Statement

A personal statement is required for all applicants. The statement allows candidates to expand on information provided on the application form, to identify strengths in academics and other achievements, including all languages spoken. Excellence can be demonstrated in a number of ways and the ability to excel in a non-academic area may show characteristics that allow the Admissions Committee to predict success in legal studies. Similarly, the fact that a candidate has overcome a significant economic, physical or other disadvantage, and achieved significant success may also provide evidence of those same characteristics.

General Category

We normally require at least a three-year undergraduate degree, although the majority of our admitted students will have a four-year, or honors degree. A competitive candidate in the General category will have an A- (80%-84%) average (GPA 3.7) particularly for the last two full years of undergraduate study, and an LSAT score above the 80th percentile.

The Admissions Committee considers all grades but will focus particularly on the last two full years of undergraduate study. The Committee also considers factors other than grades and LSAT, including success in community and public service, business, athletics, or the arts. A full course-load throughout the candidate's academic career, enrolment in honors programs and graduate work are also positive factors. Achieving the competitive criteria is not a guarantee of admission.

Discretionary Categories

All applicants who apply in one of three discretionary categories, Mature, Access and Aboriginal, must provide evidence confirming the basis of their application. It is recommended that candidates complete three years of undergraduate study before admission. The Admissions Committee may interview applicants in the discretionary categories.

Aboriginal

The Faculty of Law recognizes that members of First Nations, Inuit and Métis 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 the program, credit will be given for Property Law. At least a three year degree is required. A competitive candidate in the Aboriginal category will have an overall average of B+ (78%) GPA 3.3 and an LSAT above the 60th percentile. Achieving the competitive criteria is not a guarantee of admission

Financial assistance is available for Métis and Non-Status Indians through the Department of Justice Canada's Legal Studies for Aboriginal People Program.

Further information about Aboriginal Law Studies at Western.

Access

Applicants whose academic performance has been significantly affected by some proven disadvantage may apply in the Access category. The barriers may include, but are not limited to, cultural, financial, and physical or 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. At least a three year degree is required. A competitive candidate will have an overall average of B+ (78%) GPA 3.3 and an LSAT above the 65th percentile. Achieving the competitive criteria is not a guarantee of admission.

Mature

Mature candidates must have at least five years of non-university experience since leaving high school, and must have attended university for two years or possess a university degree. A competitive candidate in the Mature category will have at least two years of university with an overall average of B+ (78%) GPA 3.3 and an LSAT above the 65th percentile. Achieving the competitive criteria is not a guarantee of admission.

Canadian Forces Access Category

Medically released personnel from the Canadian Forces may apply under the Canadian Forces Access Category directly to the Faculty of Law. All other Canadian Forces personnel should apply in either the General category or the Mature category through the Ontario Law School Admission Service www.ouac.on.ca/olsas

Applicants in the CF Access category will normally have at least two years of university, or the equivalent, and have achieved an LSAT score above the 65th percentile.

Application documents required for Canadian Forces Category only:

1. Signed application form
2. Transcripts sent directly from EACH university, college or other post- secondary institution you have previously attended. You are not required to submit U.W.O. grades.
3. A personal statement of up to 500 words
4. Resumé
5. A copy of the LSAT score report or forward the original email notification to Beryl Theobald, Director of Admissions, theobald@uwo.ca
6. Reference letters (two required). Reference letters must be forwarded directly to the Admissions Office at the Faculty of Law
7. Application fee of $90.00 (cheques to be made payable to The University of Western Ontario)

The application and supporting documents (including official transcripts) should be sent directly to:
The Admissions Office
Faculty of Law
The University of Western Ontario
London, Ontario N6A 3K7

Personal statement for Canadian Force Access Category

Extended-time JD Program

The Extended-time JD Program is available to up to five students entering first year. The program is designed for students who cannot manage a full-time program. Application to the Extended-time JD Program should be made at the same time as the application for admission to first year law.

Applicants are required to meet the existing admissions criteria. In addition, all applicants seeking admission must establish that it would be difficult to attend law school full-time because of family responsibilities, health problems, disabilities, financial necessity, or other special circumstances. A statement outlining why a student may not be able to carry a full course load should accompany the application.

Incoming first-year students in the Extended-time JD Program are required to take Foundations of Canadian Law, Legal Ethics and Professionalism, and one of the small group courses which includes Legal Research, Writing and Advocacy, in addition to any other course or courses.

Students in the Extended-time JD Program are required to complete the program within six years. Students will be allowed to transfer to full-time attendance and full-time students who meet the eligibility criteria will be allowed to transfer into the Extended-time Program.

Extended-time students are eligible for any entry scholarships or bursaries that are not restricted to full-time students, as well as any prizes or awards in individual courses.

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