Academic Calendar - 2024
Western University Academic Calendar. - 2024
return to: Admission
LAW - ADMISSION
Admission into First Year
A. Admission into First Year
There are two categories for admission into first year, General and Discretionary. Admission decisions are made by members of the Admissions Committee, which is comprised of the Associate Dean (Academic), Assistant Deans, faculty members and third-year law students.
General and Discretionary Categories
General Category
At least three-years of full-time (or equivalent) undergraduate university education is required, although the majority of admitted students will have a four-year degree. A competitive candidate will have an overall undergraduate average of A- (80-84%) (GPA 3.7), and an LSAT score above the 80th percentile. The Admissions Committee considers the highest LSAT score and cumulative undergraduate GPA (including grades obtained on academic exchanges) but gives greater weight to the last two full years of undergraduate university study.
The Admissions Committee considers factors other than undergraduate grades and LSAT scores, including employment, personal and professional achievements, extra-curricular engagement, volunteer activities, and other life experience. A full course load throughout the candidate’s undergraduate academic career, research and writing experience and graduate work are also very positive factors.
Discretionary Categories
Applicants can apply in one of four discretionary categories (Access, Black, Indigenous, or Mature). Three years of full-time undergraduate university study (or equivalent, defined as 30 semestered courses) is required for candidates applying in the Access, Black or Indigenous categories and a minimum of two years of full-time undergraduate university study (or equivalent, defined as 20 semestered courses) is required for Mature candidates. The Admissions Committee may interview applicants in the discretionary categories.
- Access
Access applicants are individuals whose undergraduate academic performance was affected by a proven disadvantage that may include, but is not limited to, cultural, socio-economic, medical or physical barriers, or a learning disability. Candidates applying in this category must describe how the disadvantage affected their undergraduate academic record, and provide supporting documentation. Applicants with disabilities should provide full documentation from qualified professionals on their disability and its effect on their undergraduate academic record or LSAT score(s) and indicate whether they received accommodations during their program of study. Candidates must show evidence or potential to succeed at law school. This requires at least one year of competitive grades among three years of full-time undergraduate university study. Special consideration for LSAT scores is given only where there is a causal connection between the disadvantage claimed and the LSAT performance.
- Black
Black applicants are individuals who self-identify as members of the Black community. The Faculty of Law recognizes that such individuals are not represented adequately within the legal profession and strongly encourages applications from members of this group.
- Indigenous
Indigenous applicants are individuals who are members of First Nations, Inuit or Métis communities. Candidates applying in this category must provide evidence confirming the basis of their application. The Faculty of Law recognizes that Indigenous individuals are not represented adequately within the legal profession and strongly encourages applications from members of this group. Indigenous candidates may be admitted unconditionally, or subject to the successful completion of the Indigenous Law Centre Summer Program at the University of Saskatchewan. Upon successful completion of the Summer Program, credit will be given for Property Law.
- Mature
Mature applicants must have at least five years of non-university experience since leaving high school, which need not be consecutive, and must have attended university for a minimum of two years.
Extended-Time JD Program
The Extended-Time JD Program is available to students who have been admitted to the JD Program. The program is designed for students who cannot manage a full-time program because of family responsibilities, health issues, disabilities, financial necessity, or other special circumstances. These should be discussed in the Personal Statement.
Students in the Extended-Time JD Program are required to take Legal Research, Writing and Advocacy, a small-group core course, and one or two additional core courses in their first year of study. The balance of the first-year JD curriculum must be completed in the second year of study. The program must be completed within six years. Extended-Time students are allowed to transfer to full-time attendance and full-time students who meet the eligibility criteria are 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.
Admission to Upper-Year
B. Admission to Upper-Year
There are three categories of applicants for admission to upper year: Transfer, Advanced Standing and Letter of Permission. The Faculty of Law does not admit National Committee of Accreditation candidates.
A major consideration in admissions decisions for upper-year applicants is the availability of places in the Faculty. A competitive upper-year applicant will generally have a B average, or higher, in law school to date. Given the limited number of spaces that are available, primary consideration will be given to the most competitive applicants and those applicants who, for compassionate reasons, seek a transfer to Western University.
Transfer
Students currently enrolled in first year at another Canadian law school may be admitted to the second year of the program as transfer students. If admitted, candidates who successfully complete the last two years of the program will be eligible to receive the Juris Doctor degree from Western University.
Advanced Standing
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, candidates who successfully complete the last two years of the program will be eligible to receive the Juris Doctor degree from Western University. The granting of advanced standing and the extent of credit to be given are at the discretion of the Admissions Committee.
Letter of Permission
Students currently enrolled at a Canadian law school can apply to study for one academic year at Western on a Letter of Permission prescribing a program of courses approved by their current law school. Students who have been granted permission to study on a Letter of Permission do not receive the Juris Doctor degree from Western University.
Law School Admission Test (LSAT)
C. Law School Admission Test (LSAT)
The Law School Admission Test is required for all applicants, although the LSAT need not have been written before applying.
For first-year applicants, the Admissions Committee will determine, on an annual basis, the latest acceptable test session for admission the following September.
For upper-year applicants and Internal Western University combined-degree applicants, the June LSAT is the latest acceptable test session for admission the following September.
Details about the LSAT, including how to register for the test, may be found at www.lsac.org.
English Requirements
D. English Requirements
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, within the last two years: Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing Service (IELTS) of the British Council. Application forms and additional information may be obtained from the TOEFL and IELTS websites. Acceptable scores for Western Law are available at www.law.uwo.ca .
Undergraduate Education Requirements
E. Undergraduate Education Requirements
In assessing undergraduate education requirements, consideration will generally be given only to those candidates with acceptable standing at accredited degree-granting institutions where the content of studies completed is equivalent in content to the courses offered by Western, and to the requirements of the program to which the student has applied. In appropriate circumstances, the university will review other candidates on an individual basis. Admission in all cases is competitive.
Admission Procedure
F. Application Procedure
All Ontario law school applications - for both first-year and upper-year applicants - are processed through the Ontario Law School Application Service (OLSAS). For full details about the application process and the Faculty of Law’s specific requirements please consult the OLSAS Application Guide, available at: www.ouac.on.ca/olsas
Ontario Law School Application Service
Ontario Universities' Application Centre
170 Research Lane
Guelph, Ontario
N1G 5E2
Telephone: 519-823-1063
Fax: 519-823-5232
olsas@ouac.on.ca
www.ouac.on.ca/olsas
Application Deadlines
For First-Year Applicants: November 1 (11:59 EST) for studies commencing the following September.
For Upper-Year Applicants: May 1 (11:59 EST) for studies commencing the following September.
For further information, please contact:
Faculty of Law Admissions Office
Room 222 - Josephine Spencer Niblett Building
Western University
London, ON N6A 3K7 519-661-3347
lawapp@uwo.ca
http://www.law.uwo.ca
Combined-Degree Undergraduate Programs
G. Admission to Combined Undergraduate-Degree Programs
HBA/JD and BESc/JD Students may apply to the Faculty of Law directly for admission to one of two undergraduate combined-degree programs (HBA/JD with the Ivey School of Business and BESc/JD with Western’s Faculty of Engineering) by May 1 following the HBA1 year of study or Year 3 of Engineering, as the case may be.
Applicants must meet Faculty of Law admission requirements. Generally, a competitive HBA/JD applicant will have a cumulative average of 80% or more in HBA1 and a competitive BESc/JD applicant will have a cumulative average of 80% or more across all three years of study. An LSAT score above the 80th percentile is considered competitive for all combined-degree candidates.
Entrance into a combined-degree program is competitive and limited. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee a position in a combined program.
JD/MBA Combined Degree Program
H. Description
The combined JD/MBA program is administered jointly by the Faculty of Law and the Ivey Business School. It provides an exceptional education for highly-motivated, talented students capable of managing the demands of two intensive programs simultaneously. Students are expected to have a minimum of two years of quality work experience prior to beginning the program. The program begins with the Business Essentials component of the MBA from March to August prior to first-year Law. Because the JD/MBA program starts in March, applicants must have taken the LSAT by the preceding November at the latest. Both degrees are completed in 38 months instead of the four academic years that would be required if the degrees were completed separately.
Admission
Applicants to the JD/MBA combined program must apply separately:
1. to the Faculty of Law, through the Ontario Law School Application Service, by November 1; and
2. to the Ivey Business School, directly, by early January. Additional details may be found at: www.ivey.uwo.ca/mba/academics/combined-jdmba-degree/
Academic Handbook, Admission, Law
return to: Admission
LAW - ADMISSION
Admission into First Year
A. Admission into First Year
There are two categories for admission into first year, General and Discretionary. Admission decisions are made by members of the Admissions Committee, which is comprised of the Associate Dean (Academic), Assistant Deans, faculty members and third-year law students.
General and Discretionary Categories
General Category
At least three-years of full-time (or equivalent) undergraduate university education is required, although the majority of admitted students will have a four-year degree. A competitive candidate will have an overall undergraduate average of A- (80-84%) (GPA 3.7), and an LSAT score above the 80th percentile. The Admissions Committee considers the highest LSAT score and cumulative undergraduate GPA (including grades obtained on academic exchanges) but gives greater weight to the last two full years of undergraduate university study.
The Admissions Committee considers factors other than undergraduate grades and LSAT scores, including employment, personal and professional achievements, extra-curricular engagement, volunteer activities, and other life experience. A full course load throughout the candidate’s undergraduate academic career, research and writing experience and graduate work are also very positive factors.
Discretionary Categories
Applicants can apply in one of four discretionary categories (Access, Black, Indigenous, or Mature). Three years of full-time undergraduate university study (or equivalent, defined as 30 semestered courses) is required for candidates applying in the Access, Black or Indigenous categories and a minimum of two years of full-time undergraduate university study (or equivalent, defined as 20 semestered courses) is required for Mature candidates. The Admissions Committee may interview applicants in the discretionary categories.
- Access
Access applicants are individuals whose undergraduate academic performance was affected by a proven disadvantage that may include, but is not limited to, cultural, socio-economic, medical or physical barriers, or a learning disability. Candidates applying in this category must describe how the disadvantage affected their undergraduate academic record, and provide supporting documentation. Applicants with disabilities should provide full documentation from qualified professionals on their disability and its effect on their undergraduate academic record or LSAT score(s) and indicate whether they received accommodations during their program of study. Candidates must show evidence or potential to succeed at law school. This requires at least one year of competitive grades among three years of full-time undergraduate university study. Special consideration for LSAT scores is given only where there is a causal connection between the disadvantage claimed and the LSAT performance. - Black
Black applicants are individuals who self-identify as members of the Black community. The Faculty of Law recognizes that such individuals are not represented adequately within the legal profession and strongly encourages applications from members of this group. - Indigenous
Indigenous applicants are individuals who are members of First Nations, Inuit or Métis communities. Candidates applying in this category must provide evidence confirming the basis of their application. The Faculty of Law recognizes that Indigenous individuals are not represented adequately within the legal profession and strongly encourages applications from members of this group. Indigenous candidates may be admitted unconditionally, or subject to the successful completion of the Indigenous Law Centre Summer Program at the University of Saskatchewan. Upon successful completion of the Summer Program, credit will be given for Property Law. - Mature
Mature applicants must have at least five years of non-university experience since leaving high school, which need not be consecutive, and must have attended university for a minimum of two years.
Extended-Time JD Program
The Extended-Time JD Program is available to students who have been admitted to the JD Program. The program is designed for students who cannot manage a full-time program because of family responsibilities, health issues, disabilities, financial necessity, or other special circumstances. These should be discussed in the Personal Statement.
Students in the Extended-Time JD Program are required to take Legal Research, Writing and Advocacy, a small-group core course, and one or two additional core courses in their first year of study. The balance of the first-year JD curriculum must be completed in the second year of study. The program must be completed within six years. Extended-Time students are allowed to transfer to full-time attendance and full-time students who meet the eligibility criteria are 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.
Admission to Upper-Year
B. Admission to Upper-Year
There are three categories of applicants for admission to upper year: Transfer, Advanced Standing and Letter of Permission. The Faculty of Law does not admit National Committee of Accreditation candidates.
A major consideration in admissions decisions for upper-year applicants is the availability of places in the Faculty. A competitive upper-year applicant will generally have a B average, or higher, in law school to date. Given the limited number of spaces that are available, primary consideration will be given to the most competitive applicants and those applicants who, for compassionate reasons, seek a transfer to Western University.
Transfer
Students currently enrolled in first year at another Canadian law school may be admitted to the second year of the program as transfer students. If admitted, candidates who successfully complete the last two years of the program will be eligible to receive the Juris Doctor degree from Western University.
Advanced Standing
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, candidates who successfully complete the last two years of the program will be eligible to receive the Juris Doctor degree from Western University. The granting of advanced standing and the extent of credit to be given are at the discretion of the Admissions Committee.
Letter of Permission
Students currently enrolled at a Canadian law school can apply to study for one academic year at Western on a Letter of Permission prescribing a program of courses approved by their current law school. Students who have been granted permission to study on a Letter of Permission do not receive the Juris Doctor degree from Western University.
Law School Admission Test (LSAT)
C. Law School Admission Test (LSAT)
The Law School Admission Test is required for all applicants, although the LSAT need not have been written before applying.
For first-year applicants, the Admissions Committee will determine, on an annual basis, the latest acceptable test session for admission the following September.
For upper-year applicants and Internal Western University combined-degree applicants, the June LSAT is the latest acceptable test session for admission the following September.
Details about the LSAT, including how to register for the test, may be found at www.lsac.org.
English Requirements
D. English Requirements
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, within the last two years: Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing Service (IELTS) of the British Council. Application forms and additional information may be obtained from the TOEFL and IELTS websites. Acceptable scores for Western Law are available at www.law.uwo.ca .
Undergraduate Education Requirements
E. Undergraduate Education Requirements
In assessing undergraduate education requirements, consideration will generally be given only to those candidates with acceptable standing at accredited degree-granting institutions where the content of studies completed is equivalent in content to the courses offered by Western, and to the requirements of the program to which the student has applied. In appropriate circumstances, the university will review other candidates on an individual basis. Admission in all cases is competitive.
Admission Procedure
F. Application Procedure
All Ontario law school applications - for both first-year and upper-year applicants - are processed through the Ontario Law School Application Service (OLSAS). For full details about the application process and the Faculty of Law’s specific requirements please consult the OLSAS Application Guide, available at: www.ouac.on.ca/olsas
Ontario Law School Application Service
Ontario Universities' Application Centre
170 Research Lane
Guelph, Ontario
N1G 5E2
Telephone: 519-823-1063
Fax: 519-823-5232
olsas@ouac.on.ca
www.ouac.on.ca/olsas
Application Deadlines
For First-Year Applicants: November 1 (11:59 EST) for studies commencing the following September.
For Upper-Year Applicants: May 1 (11:59 EST) for studies commencing the following September.
For further information, please contact:
Faculty of Law Admissions Office
Room 222 - Josephine Spencer Niblett Building
Western University
London, ON N6A 3K7 519-661-3347
lawapp@uwo.ca
http://www.law.uwo.ca
Combined-Degree Undergraduate Programs
G. Admission to Combined Undergraduate-Degree Programs
HBA/JD and BESc/JD Students may apply to the Faculty of Law directly for admission to one of two undergraduate combined-degree programs (HBA/JD with the Ivey School of Business and BESc/JD with Western’s Faculty of Engineering) by May 1 following the HBA1 year of study or Year 3 of Engineering, as the case may be.
Applicants must meet Faculty of Law admission requirements. Generally, a competitive HBA/JD applicant will have a cumulative average of 80% or more in HBA1 and a competitive BESc/JD applicant will have a cumulative average of 80% or more across all three years of study. An LSAT score above the 80th percentile is considered competitive for all combined-degree candidates.
Entrance into a combined-degree program is competitive and limited. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee a position in a combined program.
JD/MBA Combined Degree Program
H. Description
The combined JD/MBA program is administered jointly by the Faculty of Law and the Ivey Business School. It provides an exceptional education for highly-motivated, talented students capable of managing the demands of two intensive programs simultaneously. Students are expected to have a minimum of two years of quality work experience prior to beginning the program. The program begins with the Business Essentials component of the MBA from March to August prior to first-year Law. Because the JD/MBA program starts in March, applicants must have taken the LSAT by the preceding November at the latest. Both degrees are completed in 38 months instead of the four academic years that would be required if the degrees were completed separately.
Admission
Applicants to the JD/MBA combined program must apply separately:
1. to the Faculty of Law, through the Ontario Law School Application Service, by November 1; and
2. to the Ivey Business School, directly, by early January. Additional details may be found at: www.ivey.uwo.ca/mba/academics/combined-jdmba-degree/
Academic Handbook, Admission, Law