1. University Program
“Undergraduate average and academic performance trends in light of relevant considerations; awards and prizes; the nature and content of the program taken; the level of any degree(s) or diplomas obtained.”
University of Windsor
Faculty of Law
OntarioAdmissions
Admissions criteria
Seven
No single one is determinative
Pathways
Two
General and Indigenous
Single JD deadline
Nov 1
Dual JD deadline
Apr 15
Via OLSAS — later via LSAC
Domestic tuition
$22,218
In province
Domestic tuition
$22,872
Out of province
International tuition
$56,430
Per year
Windsor publishes no admissions statistics — and says why
Asked for the average LSAT and GPA of admitted applicants, Windsor answers with no numbers: “The Admissions Committee… considers seven (7) criteria… An applicant’s LSAT score is only one of the seven. No single criterion is a determinative of admission.” On volume it says only that it “receives several thousand applications each year for a limited number of spaces.” It also publishes no GPA calculation method at all.
A Mission-Driven Process
The commitment
“Windsor Law sits on the traditional territory of the Three Fires Confederacy, which is comprised of the Ojibway, the Odawa, and the Potawatomi. We are committed to ensuring Indigenous legal traditions and perspectives are fully acknowledged and respected… Windsor Law is also committed to ensuring equity and diversity in all its forms in the legal profession. Individuals from groups that are traditionally under-represented in the legal profession and/or who face systemic barriers are strongly encouraged to apply.”
“Our admissions program is different from others. At Windsor Law, we review all applications for admission through a holistic lens.”
The committee — published
Windsor is one of the few Canadian schools to name its committee’s composition: “The Committee consists of the Associate Dean as Chair, the Assistant Dean (Admissions, Recruitment, and External Relations) as Vice Chair, professors and students.”
Its stated objective: “to select those students who will excel in the study of law and who have the potential to contribute creatively and meaningfully to the law school and the community.”
Interviews are not mentioned and no formula, index, cutoff, or weighting is published.
The Seven Criteria
2. Work Experience
“Part-time, summer and full-time work experience is analyzed for signs of organizational and administrative skills as well as initiative. Vocational, professional or other special qualifications will be considered.”
3. Community Involvement
“Contribution to the community (city/town; university; religious; etc.) will be assessed for indications of commitment to the community,” including participation in service clubs, community service organizations, and religious, athletic, and social organizations.
4. Personal Accomplishments
“Extracurricular activities, hobbies and special accomplishments; artistic and athletic accomplishments; communication skills and languages spoken.”
5. Career Objectives
“The applicant’s career objectives, including how and where the legal education will be employed, are considered.”
6. Personal Considerations
“Any personal factors such as illness, bereavement, unusual family responsibilities or other such circumstances that may have some bearing on the applicant’s qualifications will be noted.”
7. LSAT Scores
All applicants must write the LSAT. It is one of seven criteria, not a gate.
What the committee is looking for
Members assess whether the applicant “is likely to succeed in law studies, has social skills, relates well to people, has talent for administration and organization (particularly of his or her own time), has a well-developed and focused career plan based upon a sound perception of his or her capabilities and displays leadership qualities and writing skills.” Describe experiences “in sufficient detail to permit the evaluator to make an assessment,” and note that “any experience which demonstrates that the applicant is self-disciplined and committed to excellence in any field should be described.” Letters from institutions evidencing the nature and scope of your involvement “are helpful.” And: “If the candidate is a member of a group disadvantaged for any reason, these circumstances should be made known.”
LSAT Policy
RequiredYes — all applicants
Score validityFive years — older scores “will not be considered”
Required reportA current official LSAT score report, including all scores written in the past five years
Latest sitting (single JD)January of the year of application
Latest sitting (Dual JD via OLSAS)April
Latest sitting (Dual JD via LSAC)June
Highest vs. averageNot published
RegistrationYou need not apply to the Faculty of Law before registering for the LSAT
Rolling review makes a late LSAT costly
“Applicants should note that files are reviewed on a rolling basis once complete. As a result, choosing to write a later LSAT may delay file completion and could disadvantage an applicant, as earlier applicants may be considered and admitted in advance of later test results being released.”
Admission Pathways
TwoGeneral
Who it's forAll applicants who do not apply in the Indigenous pathway.
There is no separate Access or Mature category. Mature applicants apply in General and rely on the Personal Profile and the “personal considerations” criterion; disadvantage claims are absorbed into the holistic model.
Indigenous
Who it's forIndigenous applicants, who use the same application process as first-year students.
A significant accommodation: “the LSAT requirement may be waived in some cases upon special application.”
“Indigenous applicants will receive either an unconditional or conditional admission to Windsor Law. Those who receive a conditional admission must complete our mandatory Indigenous Students’ Pre-Law Program that will be offered in August of every year” — an intensive, skills-based, five-day program led by Indigenous faculty.
No identity verification or affirmation process is published. Applicants are encouraged to self-identify; Indspire Bursary and Scholarship Awards are noted.
Application Components
Everything through OLSASPersonal statement — five questions
“Your personal statement consists of responses to five (5) questions — four (4) required, one (1) optional,” found in the School Submissions section of your OLSAS application. Word limits are not published on Windsor’s site; they appear inside the OLSAS application.
Responses are assessed against five aims:
- Whether the applicant is likely to succeed in law school
- Whether the applicant demonstrates strong interpersonal skills, time management, and relatability to others
- Whether the applicant has a well-developed and focused career plan based on a sound understanding of their capabilities
- Whether the applicant demonstrates leadership potential
- Whether the applicant demonstrates strong writing and analytic skills
References
NumberTwo — one academic and one non-academic
If you attended a post-secondary institution in the last 3 yearsAt least one academic reference is required
If you did notYou may submit two non-academic references
FormatOn the forms specifically provided, forwarded directly to OLSAS by the referee
Everything else
OLSAS formAll Ontario applications go through OLSAS/OUAC; applications open in late August
Personal ProfileIn the OLSAS application under “School Submissions”
TranscriptsOfficial, from all post-secondary institutions attended
LSAT reportCurrent and official, with all scores from the past five years
Dual JD supplemental formIf applying to the Dual JD program
Send nothing to Windsor directly
“Do I need to send any documents to Windsor Law? No. All documentation is submitted to OLSAS.” Only complete applications reach the Admissions Committee.
Half-Time Law Study Program
What it is
“Windsor Law offers a limited-enrolment Half-Time Law Study Program designed for individuals unable to pursue law studies on a full-time basis. The program cannot be completed through evening courses alone.”
Applicants must meet the general admission requirements — or the special requirements for Indigenous applicants — and additionally demonstrate an inability to attend full-time. The JD is framed as “admission as a full-time student for three years or as a half-time student for six years.”
Note: half-time study is not available for the Dual JD program.
Qualifying circumstances
- Exceptional family responsibilities — caring for young children or dependents, including individuals with disabilities or requiring specialized care, where your presence at home is necessary
- Significant financial hardship, including loss or reduction in employment; single-income households and those with limited or unstable income may be considered
- Health or disability-related needs requiring a reduced academic workload
- Occupational commitments, in especially limited circumstances, where you are established in a public service career and legal education would meaningfully support that role
The Canadian & American Dual JD
A separate admissions processThe two Windsor programs are entirely separate
“The admissions processes for Windsor Law’s Canadian JD program and Dual JD program are entirely separate.” And: “Acceptance into one program does not mean you are accepted into the other program.” The same holds on the American side for Detroit Mercy’s own JD.
The program
Founded in 1983 with the University of Detroit Mercy. “It is the only program of its kind in North America that allows graduates to obtain two law degrees in three years.” Accredited by both the Federation of Law Societies of Canada and the American Bar Association; graduates can write bar exams in both countries.
105 credits over three years — 45 at Windsor, 60 at Detroit Mercy. Students travel between campuses each term, foundational courses are taught comparatively, and studies continue into the summer term of first year at Detroit Mercy.
“Due to the program’s unique structure, students must maintain full-time enrollment status. There is no part-time study option, nor does the program accept transfers.” Windsor also highly recommends Dual JD students not work during fall and winter terms, especially in first year. Both degrees are awarded simultaneously.
How to apply
PlatformThrough OLSAS or through LSAC — your choice
Which to useOLSAS if applying to primarily Canadian schools; LSAC if primarily American
Both universities?No — “Admissions are coordinated between the two institutions”
OLSAS deadlineApril 15 — “If you apply after this date, you must use LSAC”
Last LSAT via OLSASApril
Last LSAT via LSACJune
Dual JD specifics
Assessment uses Windsor’s same seven criteria, but: “There is no minimum grade point average (GPA) or LSAT required to apply to the Dual JD program. Due to the challenging nature of the program, however, GPA and LSAT are given more emphasis.”
A completed bachelor’s degree is required before the program start date — firmer than the single JD. Admitted students send a final transcript to both Detroit Mercy Law Admissions and LSAC.
A mandatory Detroit Mercy supplemental form asks you to “explain why you are interested in the Dual JD program and why a transnational education is attractive to you.” Length limit not published.
Immigration: Canadian students must be eligible for F-1 status; American students for a Canadian Study Permit. Students without status in either country “can still apply and be accepted,” with staff support to secure documents. Tuition is paid to both institutions each term.
Dates & Fees
- Late AugustOLSAS application available
- October 25OLSAS fee waiver deadlineNot retroactive
- November 1JD first-year deadlineAlso the JD component of MBA/JD and MSW/JD
- January 5LLM applications closeReview begins around November 10
- April 1MBA component deadline for MBA/JD
- April 15Dual JD deadline via OLSAS
- May 1Transfer, visiting, and advanced standing deadlines
- June 30Transfer supporting documents due to OLSAS
- December – AugustDecisions releasedRolling — offers possible up to the first day of orientation
Fee waivers
OLSAS fee waiverComplete the OLSAS Fee Waiver Application and demonstrate inability to pay
DeadlineOctober 25 — “OLSAS fee waivers are not retroactive”
Submit tolawassociatedean@uwindsor.ca
LSAC fee waiverVia your LSAC.org account; documents uploaded within 45 days of submitting the online application
DepositAmount and deadline not published
On the waitlist — Windsor is emphatic
“NO! If you are currently on the waitlist, please note that additional emails expressing continued interest or submitting new reference letters will not impact your position or the Admissions Committee’s review. We appreciate your enthusiasm; however, no further materials are required at this stage unless specifically requested.” Windsor also does not disclose waitlist position or ranking.
International Applicants
Welcome“Windsor Law welcomes applications from international applicants”
Status determined byCitizenship or permanent residency, not place of residence
AssessmentThe same admission requirements and holistic criteria as all other applicants
Quotas“Windsor Law does not apply quotas based on citizenship or immigration status”
Study permitCan only be obtained after an offer of admission is issued
English proficiencyTOEFL or IELTS may be required if your previous instruction was not in English — no minimum scores published
Foreign degreesWES or another recognized evaluation service is required
Transfer, Visiting & Advanced Standing
All May 1Transfer
Who it's forStudents who have successfully completed the first year of a JD or LL.B. program at another Canadian common law school.
“Applicants must submit the same materials as first-year students.” Beyond meeting the normal criteria, “admission of transfer students is subject to space availability.” Preference goes to Canadian common law schools.
- Documents
- All post-secondary transcripts including law school; LSAT score with LSAC number; an academic reference from a law professor at your current school; personal sketch and verifiers
- Documents due
- June 30, to OLSAS
Visiting
Who it's forStudents from other Canadian common law schools, for second or third year.
Supply a current law school transcript plus a letter of permission from your current law school by May 1 for September admission. Admission is subject to availability.
Advanced Standing
Who it's forIndividuals who have attended a foreign law school for more than one year.
Two years or more at Windsor yields the JD — “This would allow you to receive your Windsor Law degree in two years instead of three.” WES is required for undergraduate study outside Canada or the US, but not for graduate studies (though it may be requested). NCA candidates are exempt from the WES requirement.
Certificate of Equivalence (NCA)
No Windsor degreeWho it's forApplicants with a law degree from a foreign law school, or qualified to practise in a foreign jurisdiction.
Apply for a Certificate of Equivalence from the National Committee on Accreditation. “Subject to the availability of places, you may be admitted into the program of study for less than 2 years of study if recommended by the NCA. No degree is granted by the University of Windsor.”
Not published
Windsor does not publish a GPA calculation method, whether it uses the highest or average LSAT score, admitted-class statistics or class size, deposit details, English proficiency minimum scores, or its deferral, re-applicant, late application, misrepresentation, and reconsideration policies.
All information on this page is drawn from University of Windsor’s official admissions pages. Requirements and deadlines change — always confirm with the school before applying.