Law

Law

Admission basics

  • Gaining admission into law school is competitive. To be considered for law school, candidates must have at least 2 years of undergraduate study, but most schools prefer 3 or more years of study
  • The requirements vary for each law school; however, the basic requirements usually include a combination of a candidate’s GPA (minimum of B+/A average) and the LSAT score (minimum 70-85 th percentile)
  • There is no one particular program of study required at the undergraduate level before applying to law schools. Courses in the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences are all of value in developing the analytical skills and writing skills necessary to excel in the study of law
  • Most law schools also consider candidates’ extracurricular activities and past work experiences

How to apply

  • The admission process for Ontario schools is handled centrally by the Ontario Law School Application Service (OLSAS)
  • Apply early. Admission applications are typically due in early November.
  • Refer to each university’s admission requirements for supplementary information that may be required such as personal statements and letters or recommendation

Tip: Preview the online OLSAS application at least one year prior to applying to law school by creating a “dummy” account, to give you an idea of what is required and will help you understand the process of applying in following year

LSAT

  • The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is a half-day standardized test, required for admission to most (but not all) law schools in Canada
  • It consists of five 35-minute sections of multiple-choice questions, including a reading comprehension section, an analytical reasoning section, two logical reasoning sections, a fifth section typically used to pretest new test items and a 30-minute writing sample at the end of the test. Official sample test
  • The LSAT is offered four times a year in June, October, December and February
  • Review an LSAT guide such as those published by Kaplan, Peterson’s, and/or Princeton Review, etc. for sample questions and solutions. Official LSAT PrepTests can be purchased: www.lsac.org

Related services and events

Resources

Preparing for Law School Tip Sheet

OSLAS Ontario Law School Application Service

Official Guide to ABA Approved Law Schools

LSAC Law School Admission Council

Law Society of Upper Canada

Careers in Law Package