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4. Admissions

Contact the Faculty Admissions Office or visit the Faculty of Law website to obtain the most up to date information.

Requirements

The educational prerequisite for admission to the Faculty of Law is successful completion of 60 units (10.0 full-course equivalents) in a program of studies leading to a degree at a university in Alberta, or its equivalent. Courses to be considered must be completed prior to December 31 in the year in which the application is made. These requirements apply to all applicants including Aboriginal Canadian applicants. As a practical matter, however, successful applicants will have completed at least one university degree.

When selecting the 120 most promising students each year, the Admissions Committee considers a number of factors including: academic record, performance on the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), evidence of maturity, extra-curricular activities, work experience, community involvement, the applicant's personal statement addressing the questions set out in the Facultyâ€™s application, and references.

Persons with disabilities who meet the above criteria are encouraged to apply, and once admitted the Faculty will accommodate students in accordance with the University policy.

Prospective applicants are urged to be realistic about their chances for admission. Only a percentage of our more than 1300 applicants are admitted each year. A typical first-year class has an average grade point average of 3.60 (on the ²ÝÝ®ÎÛÊÓÆµµ¼º½ system) and an LSAT score above the 80th percentile. The average age of the entering classes has remained around 25 to 28 years of age and actual ages of entering students range from the early 20s to the late 40s.

The Law School Admission Test

All students seeking admission to the Faculty of Law are required to take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). The test is given in February, June, October and December. However, as it may not be given at every testing centre on each occasion, applicants should check carefully the dates on which the test will be administered at the centre which is most convenient for them.

The last acceptable LSAT score will be the December writing. Only those applicants who have done so will be given consideration. Any applicant who is not able to afford the LSAT fee may apply to the Chair of the Admissions Committee. Prescribed forms for a Fee Waiver are available from the Admissions Office. Proof of the applicant's financial position for the previous three years will be required. The criteria are set out on the Fee Waiver form.

Procedures

The deadline for receipt of fully completed application forms is November 1. This is a firm deadline. There are no exceptions. All supporting documentation must be received by March 1. The Admissions Committee starts reviewing files as soon as they are complete. This includes an LSAT score, certified transcripts from all post-secondary educational institutions attended and any required reference. References should be academic and must not be from personal friends, family friends or family members.

Applications that lack any supporting documentation on March 1 may be rejected. All supporting documentation must come directly from the source and not be sent by the applicant.

Because applicants are admitted on a rolling basis, it is to the applicant's advantage to have a completed file as soon as possible. Each applicant will be notified by letter only, as to whether or not they have been admitted or have had their application deferred for a final decision later in the summer. Successful applicants in all categories (ordinary, part-time, transfer, and letter of permission) will be required to confirm, within a specified time period, their acceptance of an offer by sending a non-refundable $200.00 deposit.

Law Society Admission

While the Faculty of Law may admit students to its JD degree program, the right to practice law as a barrister and solicitor is granted only by the law society of the province concerned. Applicants contemplating practice should consider communicating as soon as possible with the law society of the province in which they intend to practice for all relevant particulars. In particular, applicants may wish to make inquires of the law society with respect to matters that raise issues of good character and reputation. Such matters would include, amongst other things, past criminal convictions, instances of academic misconduct or unresolved bankruptcy declarations.

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