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Application Procedures for B.C.L./LL.B. Degree Program
Law at 捆绑SM社区 is a limited enrolment program. Apply as early as possible and ensure that we have received all required supporting documents on or before the appropriate deadline. Files are reviewed only when complete.
Online application
Online application
Candidates must apply to the B.C.L./LL.B. program online. The is available as of September 1. In order to avoid unnecessary processing delays, please read the application instructions carefully. Please admissions.law [at] mcgill.ca (email) the Law Admissions Office at the Faculty of Law if you are unable to apply online (transfer applicants).
Once you have applied, an acknowledgment notice will be sent to the email address indicated on your application within 48 hours following the submission of your application form. If you have not received your acknowledgment notice within 48 hours following the submission of your application, you should contact the Admissions Office at the Faculty of Law (514-398-6602 or admissions.law [at] mcgill.ca).
All candidates who submit an online application are asked to complete an anonymous survey once the application has been submitted and the application fee paid. This anonymous survey requests demographic information and is an important tool in our larger effort to tackle barriers to legal education and to build a legal community that reflects the population. The survey results give us a better understanding of our pool of applicants and allow us to assess our recruitment and outreach efforts. The information is collected for statistical purposes only and is not linked to your admission file in any way. The Faculty of Law thanks you in advance for helping us in our efforts by completing the anonymous admissions survey.
Verifying the status of your application via Minerva
Verifying the status of your application via Minerva
Your acknowledgment notice will provide you with your 捆绑SM社区 Identification (ID), and a password that you will need to log in to the Minerva website. On this website, applicants can check the status of their application and, as supporting documents are received and recorded, be able to verify which documents (if any) are still missing. Please check the status of your application checklist regularly. New items may also be added to the checklist when necessary to complete the admissions file; it is important that applicants respond to such requests for documentation by uploading the appropriate document in a timely manner.
You are responsible for monitoring the status of your application on Minerva. When verifying the status of your application, an indication of 鈥淚tems outstanding鈥 means that your application is incomplete. If your application remains incomplete after the deadline for submission of supporting documents, your application will be cancelled. An indication of 鈥淩eady for review鈥 means that your file is complete and/or under review by the Admissions Committee. Your status will indicate 鈥淩eady for review鈥 until a final decision is rendered.
- Your file will not be cancelled if only your LSAT score is missing after the deadline. The status of your application will indicate 鈥淚tems outstanding鈥 until we get your score. If writing the LSAT, your file will be circulated for review by the Admissions Committee only when all pending LSAT results are received.
During peak periods (i.e., close to deadlines), the Admissions Office receives a high volume of documents and there may be a delay of up to 48 hours between the receipt of a document and the date on which it is recorded in our information system and verifiable by you on Minerva. Taking this delay into consideration, please contact the Law Admissions Office only if your file remains incomplete 48 hours past the deadline.
Review of Applications
Review of Applications
Once an application is complete, it is circulated for review. Reviewers carefully assess all documents submitted and evaluate the candidacy according to the Faculty's Admissions Policy, and in comparison to all other candidates in the applicant pool.
Decisions on Applications
Decisions on Applications
The official decision of the Admissions Committee of the Faculty of Law is released by electronic mail and confirmed via the candidate's Minerva account. Decisions on individual applications cannot and will not be disclosed over the phone.
Every effort is made to inform candidates of the decision of the Admissions Committee at the earliest possible date. However, the process is labour-intensive and may extend into June. Final decision about applicants who have been placed on the waitlist may be made until the end of August.
Application Fee
Application Fee for the Faculty of Law
A non-refundable application fee is required for application to the B.C.L./LL.B. program. For current fee information, please visit the Student Accounts website. A credit card (Visa, MasterCard, or American Express only) is required to complete the online application form. 捆绑SM社区's highly secured e-payment service minimizes cardholder risk. Your credit card information is passed instantly to the Moneris payment gateway and is not stored at 捆绑SM社区. Moneris handles 80% of all credit card transactions processed in Canada. If you cannot pay by credit card, please contact the admissions.law [at] mcgill.ca (Admissions Office at the Faculty of Law). The Faculty may issue a fee waiver to a candidate demonstrating significant financial need.
Categories of Applicants
Categories of Applicants
Applicants to First Year (September entrance only)
- University Applicants
- Mature Applicants
- CEGEP and Quebec French Baccalaureate (Coll猫ge international Marie de France and Coll猫ge Stanislas) Applicants
Applicants to Upper Year (September entrance only)
Applicants to Upper Year (September or January entrance)
University Applicants
University Applicants
A University applicant to 捆绑SM社区's Faculty of Law must have completed a minimum of two years of full-time university studies (60 credits) at the time of registration. This category includes applicants who, at the time of registration, will have completed more than one year of university studies in addition to a Diploma of Collegial Studies (DCS).
Please note that, while candidates who have completed 60 credits are eligible to apply to the B.C.L./LL.B. program, the strength of the University applicant pool is such that the Faculty rarely admits candidates who will not have completed an undergraduate degree at the time of registration.
Mature Applicants
Mature Applicants
A Mature applicant is defined as an individual who has interrupted his or her formal education for a minimum of five years. Applicants who qualify as Mature must apply in this category. There is no predetermined number of Mature candidates admitted in a given year. A Mature applicant is normally expected to have completed, at a minimum, a Diploma of Collegial Studies (DCS) from a CEGEP or two years (60 credits) of university studies. Mature applicants who are regarded as potentially admissible following a review of their file may be required to attend an interview.
CEGEP and Quebec French Baccalaureate (Coll猫ge international Marie de France and Coll猫ge Stanislas) Applicants
CEGEP and Quebec French Baccalaureate (Coll猫ge international Marie de France and Coll猫ge Stanislas) Applicants
Candidates may apply on the basis of a Diploma of Collegial Studies (DCS) from a CEGEP, or a Quebec French Baccalaureate (QFB). This category includes candidates who will have completed up to one year of university studies in addition to the DCS or QFB at the time of registration.
Candidates who will have completed a French Baccalaureate or an International Baccalaureate Diploma outside the province of Quebec must have completed a minimum of two years of full-time university studies (60 credits), at the time of registration, to be eligible to apply to our program.
Advanced Standing Students
Advanced Standing Students
Applicants who hold a law degree from a Canadian or foreign university recognized by 捆绑SM社区 must apply for admission to the B.C.L./LL.B. program under the Advanced Standing category, unless applying under the Comit茅 des 茅quivalences category (see Comit茅 des 茅quivalences). There are a limited number of places available for Advanced Standing applicants. Applications are evaluated using the same criteria as applications to the first year of the B.C.L./LL.B. program, with particular attention to performance in law studies.
As a general rule, Advanced Standing candidates have completed a law degree which would allow them to sit the Bar exam for the same jurisdiction as the one in which they completed their studies and/or would be admissible to graduate programs in law. Advanced Standing candidates applying from the French educational system must have a license (licence en droit); candidates holding only a DEUG are not eligible.
Successful applicants must complete a minimum of 75 credits at 捆绑SM社区 and undertake the integrated B.C.L./LL.B. program. It is not possible to obtain either the B.C.L. or the LL.B. degree on its own. The Associate Dean (Academic) determines equivalences for previous studies.
Transfer Students
Transfer Students in the Faculty of Law
Students who have successfully completed at least one year of full-time studies in an undergraduate program at another Canadian law faculty may apply for admission as a Transfer student. There are a limited number of places available for Transfer students. Transfer applications are evaluated according to the criteria for admission to the first year of the B.C.L./LL.B. program. Particular attention is paid to performance in law studies and reasons for requesting a transfer.
Successful transfer applicants must complete a minimum of 75 credits at 捆绑SM社区. The Associate Dean (Academic) determines credit for previous studies. In most cases, Transfer Students will be required to take the transsystemic first-year courses鈥擟ontractual Obligations and Extra-Contractual Obligations/Torts鈥攊n order to meet 捆绑SM社区鈥檚 degree requirements. Candidates will not receive credit for courses in obligations, contracts, or torts taken during the first year completed at another law faculty.
- Transfer students should forward transcripts of Winter term results as soon as they become available. Transfer applications cannot be evaluated without these results.
- Candidates who have completed a certificate in law are not eligible to apply under the Transfer category. These candidates must apply in the category of University, Mature, or CEGEP. Courses completed in a certificate in law program cannot be credited toward a 捆绑SM社区 law degree.
- Students who are not in good standing or who have been required to withdraw at the end of their first year at another Canadian law faculty are not eligible to transfer to 捆绑SM社区.
- The online application is available from September 1 until November 1 for this category, even though the deadline for submitting an application is May 1. To submit a paper application under this category after November 1, please contact admissions.law [at] mcgill.ca.
Comit茅 des 茅quivalences
Comit茅 des 茅quivalences
The Faculty accepts applications from candidates who hold a law degree from a Canadian or foreign university recognized by 捆绑SM社区 and who are seeking to fulfil the requirements of the Comit茅 des 茅quivalences of the Barreau du Qu茅bec or of the Chambre des notaires, in order to practice in Quebec. Successful applicants must have the final decision of the Comit茅 des 茅quivalences of the Barreau or the Chambre des notaires in hand at the time of registration.
Please note that:
- This is a non-degree program: students wishing to obtain the B.C.L./LL.B. degrees should apply under the Advanced Standing Students category.
- The Faculty does not consider candidates applying to fulfil the requirements of the National Committee on Accreditation.
- Courses taken by Comit茅 des 茅quivalences students cannot be credited toward a 捆绑SM社区 law degree.
Visiting Students (Letters of Permission)
Visiting Students (Letters of Permission)
Students who have completed two years of studies at another law faculty who wish, for academic or personal reasons, to spend a term at 捆绑SM社区 may be admitted as a Visiting Student. The Faculty endeavours to accommodate qualified students who are in good standing in their own faculties, where student numbers at 捆绑SM社区 permit.
Students from other law faculties who would like to attend 捆绑SM社区 as a Visiting Student must apply through the Admissions Office. Their application must include a Letter of Permission from their home university. The Director (Student Life and Learning) makes decisions on these applications. Accepted students must arrange their academic program with the Director (Student Life and Learning).
Incoming Exchange Students
Incoming Exchange Students
Students registered in degree programs in law at universities that have an official exchange agreement with 捆绑SM社区 or with the Faculty of Law may apply as Exchange students. In addition, 捆绑SM社区 participates in a number of exchange programs through BCI (Bureau de coop茅ration interuniversitaire, previously known as CREPUQ). 捆绑SM社区's exchange partners are listed on 捆绑SM社区's website.
Students participating in an exchange must fill out the online application form. There is no application fee for these candidates.
Exchange students are selected and officially nominated by their home universities. Please note that home university internal application deadlines may vary. 捆绑SM社区 considers applicants on an individual basis; the minimum entrance requirement is generally a cumulative B average or its equivalent. Decisions on applications for exchange are made by the Director (Student Life and Learning). Admission decisions on exchange applications are final; there is no reconsideration process.
The Faculty has a limited number of places for Exchange students, and entrance into courses which have enrolment limits or require the permission of the instructor is not guaranteed.
Special Students
Special Students in the Faculty of Law
The Faculty will exceptionally permit a limited number of candidates not actively pursuing a law degree to apply as Special Students. Students registered in other universities, and candidates not actively pursuing a university degree, may apply to take certain courses within the Faculty.
Special Student status will be granted to applicants who provide compelling academic or professional reasons for taking law courses and who successfully demonstrate the capacity to undertake the requirements of the requested course(s). Status will be granted only where sufficient course space is available.
Special Students are limited to a maximum of 6 credits per term, and to 12 credits in total.
Important information about this category:
- 捆绑SM社区 students registered in a faculty other than law, who, for exceptional reasons related to their program of study, wish to enrol in a Faculty of Law course, must obtain the permission of the Associate Dean (Academic) and the course instructor. Such students need not fill out the online application. The Application to register for law courses for 捆绑SM社区 students form is available on the Law Student Affairs Office website.
- Students registered in other Quebec universities who wish to take certain courses within the Faculty must apply through (Bureau de coop茅ration interuniversitaire, previously known as CREPUQ). Such students need not fill out the online application.
- Courses taken by Special Students will not be credited toward a 捆绑SM社区 law degree.
- Students wishing to obtain a 捆绑SM社区 law degree and students recently refused admission to a degree program in the Faculty of Law will not be admitted as Special Students.
- The Faculty does not consider Special Student applications from candidates seeking to fulfil the requirements of the National Committee on Accreditation.
The list of courses offered by the Faculty of Law is available from the Student Affairs Office website at www.mcgill.ca/law-studies/courses/current.
- BUS2 365 Business Associations
- LAWG 100D1/D2 Contractual Obligations
- LAWG 101D1/D2 Extra-Contractual Obligations/Torts
- LAWG 102D1/D2 Criminal Justice
- LAWG 110D1/D2 Integration Workshop
- LAWG 210 Legal Ethics and Professionalism
- LAWG 220D1/D2 Property
- PRAC 200 Advocacy
- PROC 124 Judicial Institutions and Civil Procedure
- PUB2 101D1/D2 Constitutional Law
- PUB3 116 Foundations
In addition, the following undergraduate complementary courses are not open to Special Students:
Application Deadlines for Law Undergraduate Programs
Application Deadlines for Law Undergraduate Programs
The online application is available as of September 1. Deadlines vary by category of admission. Applicants must take the time to identify the category in which they must apply. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that the online application is completed by the deadlines indicated below and that all supporting documents are uploaded via Minerva by the deadlines listed below. Instructions on uploading documents can be found at Application Supporting Documents. With the exception of references (which must be submitted in accordance with specific instructions for referees) and some transcripts, all supporting documents must be uploaded via Minerva. We strongly encourage emailing rather than mailing references.
Deadlines must be respected. Late applications are not accepted. There are no exceptions. Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply and submit all required supporting documents as early in the process as possible and in advance of their relevant deadlines.
Incomplete applications will not be circulated to the Admissions Committee. Incomplete applications will be cancelled the day following the supporting document submission deadlines.
Please refer to Categories of Applicants in order to determine which deadline applies to you.
Applicants to First Year (Fall 2020) | Online Application Deadlines | Supporting Document Deadlines |
---|---|---|
University | November 1, 2019 | November 8, 2019 |
Mature | November 1, 2019 | November 8, 2019 |
CEGEP/Baccalaureate (Coll猫ge international Marie de France and Coll猫ge Stanislas) | March 1, 2020 | March 7, 2020 |
Applicants to Upper Years | Online Application Deadlines | Supporting Document Deadlines |
Advanced Standing (Fall 2020) | November 1, 2019 | January 15, 2020 |
Transfer (Fall 2020) | May 1, 2020 | June 15, 2020 |
Comit茅 des 茅quivalences (Fall 2020 entrance) | May 1, 2020 | July 1, 2020 |
Chambre des notaires (Fall 2020 entrance) | May 1, 2020 | July 1, 2020 |
Special (Fall 2020 entrance) | August 1, 2020 | August 8, 2020 |
Visiting (Fall 2020 and/or Winter 2021) | May 1, 2020 | June 15, 2020 |
Incoming Exchange (Winter 2020) | September 15, 2019 | October 1, 2019 |
Incoming Exchange (Fall 2020) | April 15, 2020 | May 1, 2020 |
Incoming Exchange (Winter 2021) | September 15, 2020 | October 1, 2020 |
Comit茅 des 茅quivalences (Winter 2020 entrance) | October 1, 2019 | December 1, 2019 |
Chambre des notaires (Winter 2020 entrance) | October 1, 2019 | December 1, 2019 |
Special (Winter 2020 entrance) | December 1, 2019 | December 8, 2019 |
Application Supporting Documents
Law Application Supporting Documents
Applicants must upload supporting documents via Minerva after having completed the online application (after having received the acknowledgment notice via email). Not all documents may be uploaded via Minerva. See Uploading supporting documents below.
Supporting documents required for all categories of applicants (unless otherwise indicated):
- Transcripts
- Personal Statement
- 搁别蝉耻尘茅
- References (not required for Exchange students)
- Letter of Permission/Nomination (Visiting and Exchange students only)
- Final decision from the Comit茅 des 茅quivalences of the Barreau du Qu茅bec or the Chambre des notaires du Qu茅bec (Comit茅 des 茅quivalences applicants only)
- Photocopy of passport (Exchange students only)
The Admissions Office will obtain LSAT results directly from the Law School Admission Council for those candidates who have taken, or plan to take, the LSAT.
After completing the online application, candidates must ensure that required supporting documents are uploaded via Minerva (or, if necessary, mailed directly to the Admissions Office at the Faculty of Law). Documents sent by mail must be postmarked or delivered on or before the dates listed in Application Deadlines for Law Undergraduate Programs. Documents sent by fax or email will not be accepted, unless specifically indicated in the instructions for document submission. See References.
During peak periods (i.e., close to deadlines), the volume of document intake is extremely high (over 1,300 applications yearly) and there may be a delay of up to 48 hours between the receipt of a document and the date on which it is recorded in our information system. Taking this delay into consideration, candidates should contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office only if their file remains incomplete 48 hours past the deadline for supporting documents.
Documents submitted to 捆绑SM社区 in support of an application to be admitted, including, but not limited to transcripts, diplomas, references, and test scores (in paper or electronic format), become the property of 捆绑SM社区 and will not be returned to the applicant or forwarded to another institution.
Uploading supporting documents
Uploading supporting documents
You must upload your supporting documents rather than mailing them. Uploading your documents saves you time, effort, and the expense of mailing transcripts and supporting documents to us. It prevents delays normally incurred in the processing of paper documentation, allows you to associate your documents with the correct application and requirement, and assures that your documents have been received.
Documents that can be uploaded via Minerva | Number of uploads allowed |
---|---|
Unofficial transcripts | Updated version accepted |
Personal statement | One |
搁别蝉耻尘茅 | Updated version accepted |
Letter of extenuating circumstance (if applicable) | One |
Please see the instructions at www.mcgill.ca/applying/nextsteps/documents/upload. Documents that have been successfully uploaded to an application should not be sent by mail.
Mailing supporting documents
Mailing supporting documents
Documents that have been successfully uploaded to an application should not be sent by mail. Below is the address for supporting documents, if submitting in person, by mail, or courier (for documents that cannot be uploaded):
- Law Admissions Office
- Faculty of Law
- 捆绑SM社区
- New Chancellor Day Hall, Room 418
- 3644 Peel Street
- Montreal QC H3A 1W9
- CANADA
Submit your documents in as early as possible. The Admissions Committee only reviews files once complete. Only required supporting documents will be added to your file. Please refrain from sending other items, as these will not be considered part of your admission file.
Inquiries about supporting documents should be directed to:
- Telephone: 514-398-6602
- Fax: 514-398-8453
- Email: admissions.law [at] mcgill.ca
- Website: www.mcgill.ca/law/bcl-llb
Transcripts
Transcripts for Law Applicants
Applicants must submit a complete academic record from all previous post-secondary studies, as well as subsequent transcripts until the applicant has received the Admissions Committee's final decision.
Applicants have three different ways to submit their transcripts:
- Transcripts for studies undertaken in Quebec universities may be submitted electronically via the BCI (Bureau de coop茅ration interuniversitaire, previously known as CREPUQ) system. Applicants have to contact the registrar of their home university and ask for this arrangement.
- All other transcripts must be uploaded via Minerva. Transcripts received in this manner are considered unofficial. Applicants will only be asked for official transcripts (sent to us by mail in an envelope sealed by the Registrar of the issuing institution) if and when offered admission to the program. Our offer of admission will be contingent upon the receipt and verification of these official documents. If you have uploaded unofficial transcripts, you are not required to submit official transcripts until we request them from you.
- If submitting official transcripts, to be considered official, these must be submitted in an envelope sealed by the Office of the Registrar of the issuing institution.
Scanning your transcript 鈥 Make sure that the page orientation of the scanned document matches the original. For example, transcripts that are printed vertically (portrait) should be scanned so that they appear in portrait format. Transcripts printed horizontally (landscape) should appear in landscape format.
It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all required transcripts are submitted as early as possible.
- BCI transcripts: Applicants need not submit paper-based official transcripts of studies undertaken in Quebec universities to the Admissions Office if these transcripts are submitted electronically via the BCI (Bureau de coop茅ration interuniversitaire, previously known as CREPUQ) system. Transcripts submitted via the BCI system are considered official.
- 捆绑SM社区 transcripts: Applicants need not submit official transcripts of studies at 捆绑SM社区 to the Admissions Office. The Admissions Office obtains these results directly from 捆绑SM社区's Enrolment Services. Applicants who participated in an exchange during their program at 捆绑SM社区 must submit a transcript.
- Exchange, Visiting, Independent studies transcripts: Applicants must submit transcripts for results in studies carried out while on exchange or visiting another university, unless the grades as well as the credits obtained are already included on transcripts issued by their home university. Exchange programs should be indicated in the University History form of the online application.
- Transcripts not in French or English: Transcripts in a language other than English or French must be accompanied by an English or French translation provided either by the school issuing the transcript or by a certified translator.
- CEGEP transcripts (Permanent Code): Applicants who are currently, or have been, enrolled at a CEGEP must provide their Permanent Code. Starting mid-October each year, 捆绑SM社区 will obtain official CEGEP transcripts electronically from the Government of Quebec. The processing of applications for applicants who are currently, or have been, enrolled at a CEGEP will not take place until a valid Permanent Code is provided.
- Quebec French Baccalaureate: Applicants in Quebec French Baccalaureate programs must submit official transcripts.
- Official Electronic Transcripts: More and more institutions offer the option to send official e-transcripts. The email address to use when requesting e-transcripts be sent to 捆绑SM社区 is: officialschooldocs [at] mcgill.ca. This email address is for the reception of official transcripts and/or proof of graduation only and must be sent to us directly from the institution or 3rd party service provider (e.g.,Parchment, NSC, Digitary).
- Winter term transcripts for Transfer students: Transfer students should forward the official transcript of their Winter term results as soon as they become available. Transfer applications cannot be evaluated without these results.
- Transcripts will not be returned: Transcripts sent to 捆绑SM社区 become the property of the University and will not be returned or forwarded to other institutions.
- Law School Data Assembly Service & Ontario Law School Application Service (OLSAS): The Faculty of Law at 捆绑SM社区 does not receive transcripts through the Law School Data Assembly Service or through OLSAS.
- French or English language courses: Applicants should report in the University History form (or the Quebec Collegial Studies from) of the online application any courses taken, outside a degree program, which would contribute to their language competency and submit a transcript or certificate of completion.
Personal Statement
Personal Statement for Law Applicants
Applicants must submit a 500 word essay referred to as a Personal Statement. The following is intended to assist in preparing this document.
What is the purpose of the Personal Statement?
The Personal Statement is your moment to showcase the unique aspects of your motivations, your background, and your personality that make you a compelling candidate for our program. The Admissions Committee relies on the Personal Statement to understand the factors that motivate you to pursue a legal education, the particular meaning that the study of law holds for you, and the reasons for your interest in our program. In addition, your Personal Statement shows the Admissions Committee your writing style, your ability to present your ideas in English and/or French, and your maturity and judgment as shown through your writing.
What is the Admissions Committee looking for in reading your Personal Statement?
Members of the Admissions Committee are interested in what you will bring to the study of law and to our learning community, and how you will benefit from the study of law. They look for indicators of intellectual curiosity, community engagement, political/social insight, leadership skills, ability to work with others, openness to diversity (cultural, linguistic, and otherwise), maturity, judgment, and potential for development through opportunity or adversity. The Personal Statement must be a product of your own reflection. We truly value a wide range of backgrounds, identities, and future aspirations. Whether you wish to become a practising lawyer or you have other ideas about your career path following a legal education, your application, and specifically your Personal Statement, should show thoughtful consideration of your reasons for studying law, and at our Faculty in particular.
Practical tips
We strongly encourage you to thoroughly research various Law faculties, comparing them to 捆绑SM社区, as each Law faculties will have its own strengths and particularities. Doing some research may help you identify and articulate why you are interested in studying at 捆绑SM社区 in particular. Read our Admissions Policies to get a sense of what we look for in our admitted students. Before writing, reflect critically on your motivations, your interests, and your convictions, and their connection to our program. The Personal Statement should not be used as a vehicle for narrating or repeating your r茅sum茅. Bear in mind that you have a limited amount of writing space; make it count. Be authentic. Be yourself. Don鈥檛 be afraid to be original, but don鈥檛 overlook the importance of the substance. Finally, ensure that your Personal Statement follows our formatting guidelines and that it has grammatical integrity.
Format
The format of the Personal Statement must adhere to the following basic characteristics:
- Maximum of 500 Words (Include a word count at the end of your Personal Statement.)
- Indicate your name and 捆绑SM社区 ID (found in the Minerva acknowledgment notice) at the top right corner of all pages.
- Candidates who have applied to the Faculty in the past must submit a new Personal Statement with any new application.
Extenuating Circumstances
Extenuating Circumstances
Serious medical or personal difficulties may have had an impact on an applicant's academic performance. If this is the case, the applicant should submit a separate letter to explain their particular extenuating circumstance(s). If appropriate, applicants may include supporting documentation such as a medical certificate.
Format
Format
Indicate your name, 捆绑SM社区 ID (indicated in the acknowledgement notice), and the subject of your letter "Extenuating circumstances" in the top right corner of each page. Note that the extenuating circumstances file should include both the letter and supporting documentation (where applicable) and must respect the maximum file size (3 MB). Only one version is accepted. Additional documents sent by mail will not be considered.
搁别蝉耻尘茅
搁别蝉耻尘茅 for Law Applicants
Applicants are required to submit a resum茅 highlighting their:
- academic background and achievements;
- work experience;
- volunteer and community work;
- extracurricular activities, sports, hobbies, and other significant interests.
The resum茅 assists the Admissions Committee in its assessment of a candidate's academic strength, depth of involvement in extracurricular activities, leadership, and time management skills.
Re-application: Candidates who have applied to the Faculty of Law in previous years are required to submit an updated resum茅.
References
References for Law Applicants
Two (2) references are required. The Admissions Committee does not accept additional references.
Applicants who are students, or who have recently completed programs of study, are expected to provide academic references from current or recent professors or teachers who are familiar with their work. Applicants in the CEGEP and Quebec French Baccalaureate (Coll猫ge international Marie de France and Coll猫ge Stanislas) category are expected to submit two references from CEGEP or college professors.
Applicants who are unable to obtain academic references because they are no longer students should submit references from individuals who are well placed to evaluate the applicant's academic abilities such as critical reading, research, and writing; these may be professional references, but ought to be from a person who is in a supervisory position vis-脿-vis the applicant.
Personal references are not helpful.
Requirements
Requirements
The candidate must send a copy of the Instructions for applicant referees to ensure that the references meet the formatting requirements set out by the Faculty's Admissions Office. The Instructions for applicant referees and reference form is available under Instructions for applicant referees.
The candidate must send referees the link to Instructions for referees. The Admissions Office does not contact referees to invite them to complete the reference form. On the Instructions for referees page, referees may download the Reference form which they must complete and email directly to the Admissions Office. It is highly recommended that candidates also review the Instructions for referees as well as the Reference form and to think of referees who might best be able to respond to the questions asked.
It is strongly recommended that references be sent by the referee via email. This helps the Admissions office process your file more efficiently.
- References sent by University Career Centres will also be accepted if stated that the references are confidential.
If submitted on paper, the sealed references may be given to the applicant directly or be mailed to the Law Admissions Office.
- The Admissions Office does not accept references by fax or by telephone.
-
Given our strict requirement of two references:
- A candidate should indicate the two chosen referees in the first and second fields of the Referee Information section of the online application.
- Only references from those two referees will be inserted in the candidate鈥檚 file.
- A candidate who wishes to make a referee substitution may do so until the deadline to submit supporting documents. In such case, please advise the admissions.law [at] mcgill.ca (Faculty of Law Admissions Office) in writing.
Law School Admission Test (LSAT)
Law School Admission Test (LSAT)
Applicants are not required to take the LSAT. However, if a candidate has taken or will be taking the LSAT, the score will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee. Applicants who have taken or will be taking the test must report the date(s) of sitting(s) and provide their LSAT identification number in the appropriate places on the application. They must do so irrespective of whether the LSAT may, in their own estimation, strengthen or weaken their candidacy.
Consequences of Failure to Disclose
Consequences of Failure to Disclose
The Faculty of Law may revoke an offer of admission or cancel an application at any time for material misrepresentation, including omissions, in an application. Although the LSAT is not a mandatory element in an application for admission, every applicant who has taken or will be taking it must disclose their LSAT information and failure to do so is a material misrepresentation. The Admissions Office conducts random verifications for LSAT scores throughout the admissions process and a systematic verification with respect to candidates who receive an offer of admission. These verifications have, in the past, resulted in the revocation of offers of admission.
Why does the Faculty of Law not require the LSAT?
Why does the Faculty of Law not require the LSAT?
The Faculty of Law is a bilingual learning environment. We believe it would be disadvantageous to the significant proportion of applicants and admitted students who indicate French as a first language to require, as a matter of eligibility, a test that is offered only in English.
Who should take the LSAT?
Who should take the LSAT?
While it is not required, it may nevertheless be advisable for many candidates to consider writing the LSAT. Admission to 捆绑SM社区鈥檚 Law program is highly competitive; there are roughly eight times as many applicants as there are available places in the first-year class. Accordingly, candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for admission to a number of faculties of law. Almost all faculties of law outside Quebec (with the exception of the Civil Law program at the University of Ottawa and the French Common Law programs at the University of Moncton and the University of Ottawa) require the LSAT.
The quality of 捆绑SM社区鈥檚 applicant pool is exceptionally strong. Among admitted students, the average entering GPA is a 3.8 on a 4.0 scale (about an 85% average). Applicants with academic records below this average GPA or percentile are encouraged to consider writing the LSAT.
If you are considering writing the LSAT only to improve your application to 捆绑SM社区 Law, it will be important to assess how the results could impact the strength of your application. It is also important to note that if you write the LSAT more than once, 捆绑SM社区 Law takes your average score. Based on an average of incoming classes in recent years, the average LSAT result of those entering the 捆绑SM社区 program is 162, with 50% of the entering class with a score between 160 and 164, 25% being between 150 and 160, and 25% being between 164 and 170.
When should I write the LSAT?
When should I write the LSAT?
Candidates should write the LSAT by November of the year prior to the year for which they seek admission at the latest. Candidates who register for the November LSAT should be aware that consideration of their file will be delayed until receipt of the score.
Applications from candidates who register for the January LSAT of the year for which they seek admission will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee only when all required elements, including the January LSAT score, are received. Given the passing of several months since the application deadline, candidates who register for the January LSAT risk that, by the time the Committee reviews their application, there will no longer be a place to offer even if the Committee wishes to admit.
Processing of LSAT Results
Processing of LSAT Results
The Admissions Office obtains test results directly from the Law School Admission Council (LSAC).
捆绑SM社区 does not administer the LSAT. Applicants who wish to register for the LSAT must do so directly with .
For additional information, see the LSAT section of our FAQ.