Faculty of Law

You must describe how the disadvantage affected your undergraduate record and provide supporting documentation. For a disability, provide “full documentation from qualified professionals… and indicate whether you received accommodations during your program of study.”

You must also show potential to succeed, which “requires at least one year of competitive grades in full-time undergraduate university study.” Special consideration for LSAT scores is given only where there is a causal connection between the disadvantage and LSAT performance.

“The Faculty of Law recognizes that Black individuals are not represented adequately within the legal profession and strongly encourages applications from Black students.”

“You may use the optional essay to discuss lived experiences, which will be given additional weight during the review process. We are striving to have all applications in this category assessed by at least one Black reviewer (among two reviewers).”

Western requires a formal affirmation under University Policy 1.58 before your file is read at all. You must submit to Western’s Office of Indigenous Initiatives two documents demonstrating proof of citizenship or membership in the Indigenous Nation claiming you, plus a statement of relational positionality.

This is separate from and in addition to your OLSAS application. “You must complete the affirmation process before we review your application.”

You may also use the OLSAS optional essay to speak to lived experiences, goals, or community involvement, which is given additional weight.

“If you can calculate 5 years (60 months) of time spent away from university since you graduated high school up until the time you would start classes in September, you will qualify.” For most it is time spent working, but any non-university experience counts.

Western sets no specific threshold here, noting that “the strongest mature applicants tend to have academic records and LSAT scores that approach the competitive level of general category applicants.”

Applied for at the same time as first year, through OLSAS. You must “meet existing admissions criteria for the admissions category in which you apply” — there is no separate or reduced standard. Explain your circumstances in the personal statement.

1L covers Legal Research, Writing and Advocacy plus one or two core courses, with the remainder in year two. “The program must be completed within six years.” Mostly daytime courses. Students may transfer between full-time and Extended-Time, and remain eligible for entrance scholarships, bursaries (except those restricted to full-time students), and prizes.

“What is weighed most heavily in your admission decision? First-year law school grades. Grades of B or higher are considered most competitive.” Both references must be from law professors. The LSAT is required for Advanced Standing, where above 162 is most competitive.

Asked whether unofficial grade reports are accepted pending an official transcript, Western answers: “No.”

Credit is likely for Torts, Property, and Contracts from a common law jurisdiction. No credit for Criminal Law, Constitutional Law, Administrative Law, Civil Procedure, Indigenous Law, Corporate Law, Legal Ethics & Professionalism, and possibly Legal Research and Writing.

Western publishes three advantages directly:

Seats are set aside in the first-year class for qualified combined-degree candidates; you complete two degrees in six years rather than seven; and the last LSAT score accepted for fall admission is June rather than January.

A University of Bristol 3+2 advanced-standing pathway also exists. JD/MBA applicants must write the LSAT by November.