“The Admissions Committee uses a holistic approach to applications that considers several factors in addition to grades and the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) results.” Queen’s values applicants who are “community leaders, excelled in extracurricular activities and enjoyed success in careers prior to the pursuit of a legal education.”
That said, in the General category “your academic record and LSAT score are weighed most heavily.”
No index or percentage formula is published, and neither interviews nor committee composition are described.
Queen’s publishes no formal GPA formula. Credit thresholds, drop policies, summer courses, repeats, and graduate work are all unaddressed.
Who it's forApplicants who do not qualify for one of the other three categories. “Most students are admitted in the General category.”
Academic record and LSAT are weighed most heavily, within a holistic review.
Who it's forFirst Nation (Status and Non-Status), Métis, and Inuit applicants.
Assessed on identification with an Indigenous community, academic performance, LSAT, employment history, letters of reference, and the Personal Statement. Decisions are made “at the earliest possible date in the admission cycle.”
Who it's forBlack applicants who opt into this category.
Assessed on personal and professional experiences contributing to the law school community, academic performance, LSAT, employment history, references, and the Personal Statement. Decisions are made early in the cycle.
Who it's forApplicants facing disability; educational or financial disadvantage; membership in a historically disadvantaged group; barriers relating to age, life and lived experience, or education.
Applicants must show strong potential to complete the JD, the ability to reason and analyze, effective oral and written communication, and “the skills and attributes necessary to cope with the demands of law school,” as well as the ability to “enrich the diversity of the law school community and the legal profession.”
“Traditional measures of academic performance and LSAT scores may be given comparatively less weight.”
Must be assessed by World Education Services (WES), unless the study was done on exchange or a Letter of Permission with the credits appearing on your home transcript.
“A TOEFL score is required if you are not fluent in English.” No first-year minimum score is published; the upper-year minimum is iBT 100 overall, with Writing 24, Speaking 22, Reading 24, and Listening 20.
“We make offers of admission on a rolling basis, as files are completed and are considered by the Admissions Committee,” continuing “until our class is full.” Decisions come by email.
Queen’s does not publish numbered offer rounds, an acceptance deadline, or the start of classes. It also does not publish deferral, re-applicant, late application, misrepresentation, or reconsideration policies, nor median or average admitted GPA and LSAT — only the category minimums shown above.
All upper-year applicants need at least a “B” average in previous years of law study, no failed law courses, and academic references from law professors.
Who it's forStudents transferring into second year from a Canadian law school.
“Transfer credits recognized for first-year courses that are substantially similar.” Non-equivalent courses must still be completed.
Who it's forApplicants from an international common law program.
“Not… more than one year’s advanced standing.” Canadian Public Law, Constitutional Law, and Criminal Law must be taken.
Who it's forVisiting students, for one term to one year.
“If you are admitted on a Letter of Permission, you are not eligible for transfer into the Queen’s JD degree program.”
Who it's forApplicants approved by the National Committee on Accreditation, with preference to those needing examinations in fewer than eight subjects.
An important limitation: “A Queen’s University JD degree is not conferred upon applicants admitted under the NCA category.”
Queen’s offers BCom/JD, JD/MBA, MA(Econ)/JD, JD/MPA, JD/MIR, and a Civil Law/Common Law combination. Requirements live on the separate program pages rather than the admissions pages.
All information on this page is drawn from Queen’s University’s official admissions pages. Requirements and deadlines change — always confirm with the school before applying.