Academic Calendar 2004
(New Academic Choices)

Note: Modifications may be made to the eligibility criteria for 2003-04 admission.

There are two categories for admission into first year, General and Discretionary . The Admission Committee - composed of members of the law faculty, law students and the admissions officer - will decide how many offers to make in each category. In no case will the number of students admitted in the Discretionary category exceed 25% of the class.

Application and Transcripts - November 1, 2003

Last LSAT score accepted - February 2004

Normally, at least a three year undergraduate degree is required, although the majority of admitted students will have a four year, or honors, degree. A competitive candidate will have an A- (80%-84%) average (GPA 3.7) for the last two full years of undergraduate study and an LSAT score above 158 (78th percentile).

No applicant in the General category with an overall undergraduate average of less than B (75% - GPA 3.0) or an LSAT score below 152 (55th percentile) will be considered for admission. A candidate who meets the minimum criteria is not guaranteed admission.

Candidates may be admitted with two full years of undergraduate study but will be required to achieve at least an A- (80%-84%) average (GPA 3.7) in each of those years and an LSAT score above 159 (80th percentile). Candidates who apply in their second year of study may be provisionally admitted.

The Admissions Committee 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.

All applicants who apply in one of three discretionary categories must provide evidence confirming the basis of their application. All discretionary category applicants must have an LSAT score above 146 (30th percentile). Although an undergraduate degree is not required, it is recommended that candidates complete three years of undergraduate study before admission. Up to 25% of the class may be admitted in the discretionary categories.

Mature

Mature candidates will have at least five years of non-university experience since leaving high school. Candidates who meet this criterion may apply as Mature applicants, even if they have attended university or possess a university degree. Mature applicants need not have any university education, however, evidence of the high academic potential necessary to study law is required. One way of demonstrating this potential is by taking university-level courses and achieving excellent results.

Aboriginal

The Faculty of Law recognizes that Aboriginal Peoples are not adequately represented within the legal profession and therefore welcomes their applications. Aboriginal candidates may be admitted unconditionally or subject to the successful completion of the Native Law Program at the University of Saskatchewan.

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 or physical disadvantage. Candidates must describe how the disadvantage has affected their academic record, and provide supporting references and documentation. Applicants with disabilities should provide full documentation from qualified professionals on their disability and its effect on their academic record or LSAT scores.

The Extended-Time LLB Program is available to students who have been admitted to the LLB Program. The program is designed for students who cannot manage a full-time program. Application to the Extended-Time LLB Program should be made at the same time as the application for admission to first year law.

Applicants are required to meet the existing regular or special admissions criteria. In addition, all applicants seeking admission must establish that it would be impossible or 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 LLB Program are required to take The Foundations of Canadian Law 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 LLB 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.

This category includes:

Transfer Applicants

Advanced Standing

Letter of Permission

National Committee on Accreditation

A major consideration in the admissions decision is the availablity of places in the Faculty.

Applicants seeking admission to the second or third year of the program must submit: complete official transcripts of all university work undertaken; the results of the LSAT; and two letters of reference from the applicant's law professors. Official transcripts must be sent directly from each university attended by the applicant to the Ontario Law School Application Service.

Application and transcripts - May 1, 2004

Students currently enrolled in the first year at another Canadian law school may be admitted to the second year of the program as transfer students. If admitted, applicants who successfully complete the last two years of the program will be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Laws degree (LL.B.) from The University of Western Ontario. Given the limited number of spaces that are available, consideration will be given to the best qualified applicants and those applicants who, for compassionate reasons, seek a transfer to The University of Western Ontario.

Students who have successfully completed part or all of their legal education outside Canada may be considered for admission with advanced standing. Except in extraordinary circumstances, a student will not receive more than one year's advanced standing. If admitted, students will be required to satisfy the program requirements of the Faculty. Upon successful completion of the program, students are eligible for the degree of Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from The University of Western Ontario.

The granting of advanced standing and the extent of credit to be given are at the discretion of the Admissions Committee.

Students currently enrolled at a Canadian law school can apply to study for one academic year at Western on a letter of permission. Typically, these requests are made by second-year students, seeking to study at Western in their third year. Students should apply directly to the Faculty of Law, not through the Ontario Law School Application Service. A $50 fee must accompany the letter of permission application. No application form is required but a letter outlining the reasons for the request should accompany the letter of permission. Transcripts should be sent directly from the undergraduate institution and law school to Student Services (Admissions), Faculty of Law, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, N6A 3K7

Students who have been granted permission to register on a letter of permission do not receive the Bachelor of Laws degree from The University of Western Ontario.

Applicants who are qualified for practice outside Canada and who seek admission to practice in a Canadian province should first apply to the National Committee on Accreditation (Faculty of Law U. of Ottawa, P.O. Box 450, Station A, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5. Telephone: (613) 562-5204).

This Committee assesses the applicant's credentials to determine the Canadian legal education required to bring the applicant to a level equivalent to the Canadian Bachelor of Laws degree. Based on this assessment, the Committee recommends the courses the applicant requires. A person admitted in this category who satisfactorily completes the required courses, does not receive a Bachelor of Laws degree from The University of Western Ontario

The Law School Admission Test is required for all applicants to first year.

An application for the test and further details may be obtained from the Faculty of Law or The Law School Admissions Services, Box 2000, Newtown, Pennsylvania 18940, U.S.A. On-line registration at www.LSAC.org

Although the LSAT need not have been written before applying, the February LSAT is the latest acceptable test session for admission in the following September. (For 2004 admission the test must have been taken on or after June 1997.)

Test centres are located in major cities in Canada and the United States. The test is usually given four times a year in most Canadian Centres - in June, October, December and February.

An application for the test and further details may be obtained from the Registrar's Office, from the Faculty of Law, or by writing to the Law School Admissions Services, Box 2000, Newtown, Pennsylvania, 18940, USA. LSAT applications must arrive at the last mentioned address at least 48 days prior to the date upon which the applicant wishes to take the test.

Each student granted admission to Western must be proficient in spoken and written English.

Applicants for whom English is not a first language are required to achieve a satisfactory score on one of the following tests:

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and the Test of Written English (TWE) . This test is offered on several dates in a number of places in Canada, the United States and elsewhere. The TOEFL/TWE Bulletin of Information and registration material may be obtained from:

Test of English as a Foreign Language
Box 899-R
Princeton, New Jersey
08541, USA

Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) . This test is offered in Canada, the United States and elsewhere. Arrangements can be made by contacting:

The English Language Institute
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan
48104, USA

International English Language Testing Service (IELTS) . This test is offered in British Council Offices outside Canada and the United States. Arrangements can be made by contacting the British Council Office or:

The IELTS Liaison Officer
British Council
10 Spring Gardens
London, England
SW1A 2BN

It is the responsibility of the applicant to submit proof of English proficiency, as stated above, to the Admissions Office before an offer of admission can be made.