OLSAS – Program Requirements Overview

Last updated: August 16, 2022

University program information is subject to change. Refer to the application and the university’s website for the most up-to-date details.

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This web page contains an overview of the requirements for law school programs.

Refer to each university’s information in the Application Guide for full details.

If you fail to submit the required documentation, your application at that university will be incomplete.

Bora Laskin Faculty of Law (Lakehead University)

First-year class size in 2021: 65

Number of first-year applicants in 2022 academic year: 780

Part-time, half-time, extended-time: N/A

Minimum undergraduate academic requirements:

  • 3 years or more
  • Undergraduate program completion is preferred

LSAT:

  • Test must be taken on, or after, June 2018
  • No minimum LSAT score
  • Highest score used – the weight given to the LSAT varies depending on the fulfillment of other elements of the application

Academic minimums: Competitive applications have an overall academic standing of B+/75% with an A-/80% in the last 2 years of study at the undergraduate level.

School Submissions: Required from all applicants.

Referee forms (letters of reference): 2 letters of reference are required (1 academic and 1 may be non-academic).

Programs:

  • JD

Categories:

  • General
  • Access
  • Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit and Métis)
  • Mature

Other:

  • Those applying under the Indigenous category are required to submit evidence of Indigenous identity, such as:
    • a copy of a status card or letter of support from an Indigenous organization, like a band council or Métis community council, and
    • an outline in the Personal Statement of their relationship to their community, including how they have contributed to, are connected to and identify with that community.
  • Those applying under the Access category must submit corroborative documents.
  • Those applying under the Mature category must submit an up-to-date resumé.

Read more about Bora Laskin Faculty of Law at Lakehead University.

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Lincoln Alexander School of Law (Toronto Metropolitan University, formerly Ryerson University)

First-year class size in 2021: 150

Number of first-year applicants in 2022 academic year: 2,206

Part-time, half-time, extended-time: None

Minimum undergraduate academic requirements: 3 years or more in an undergraduate degree program at a recognized university is required, except as noted.

LSAT:

  • Earliest test accepted is June 2018.
  • Latest test accepted is January 2023, including LSAT Writing.
  • No minimum LSAT score, highest score is used.

Academic minimums: No minimum GPA is required. All applications are reviewed holistically.

School Submissions: Required from all applicants.

Referee forms (letters of reference):

  • 2 letters of reference required.
  • 1 academic reference is strongly recommended.

Programs:

  • JD

Categories:

  • General
  • Access
  • Indigenous

Other:

  • Online interview required for all applicants.
  • If you wish to be considered in the Access category, you must explain your reasons for applying in this category. Provide this explanation in the OLSAS text box identified for this purpose. You may also choose to discuss it in more detail in Part B of your Personal Statement, if you wish.
  • Indigenous applicants must include an outline in their Personal Statement of their relationship and connection to their community, which could include the impact of colonization on their family, or their connection to Indigenous culture. One of the reference letters could also corroborate interest in, and identification with, their Indigenous community.

Read more about the Lincoln Alexander School of Law at Toronto Metropolitan University.

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Osgoode Hall Law School (York University)

First-year class size in 2021: 290

Number of first-year applicants in 2022 academic year: 3,041

Part-time, half-time, extended-time: Extended-time

Minimum undergraduate academic requirements:

  • JD – requires 3 years or more at a recognized university in a program leading to a degree, with exceptions as noted in Osgoode’s Other information
  • JD/MA (Philosophy) – Requires the completion of a 4-year honours undergraduate degree in Philosophy

LSAT: 

  • Earliest acceptable score is June 2018
  • Latest acceptable score for entry in 2023: January 2023
  • Highest score is used

Academic minimums: Most successful applicants have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of A-.

School Submissions: Required from all applicants.

Referee forms (letters of reference): 2 required; at least 1 academic reference is strongly recommended.

Programs:

  • JD
  • JD/MBA
  • JD/MES
  • JD/MA (Phil)
  • JD (Common Law)/LLB (Civil)
  • JD/Extended

Categories:

  • General
  • Indigenous

Other:

  • You must complete the online Financial Statement to be considered for entrance scholarships and to apply to the Income Contingent Loan Program.
  • If you are at least 26 years of age and with fewer than 3 years of university studies, refer to Osgoode’s Eligibility Requirements to determine your eligibility.
  • If you are applying in the Indigenous category, you are required to submit corroborative documentation to support your Indigenous status.
  • If you are applying to a joint program, you must apply concurrently to the partner faculty.

Read more about Osgoode Hall Law School at York University.

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University of Ottawa (English Programs)

First-year class size in 2021: 260 (Note: Some attrition after the first few weeks.)

Number of first-year applicants in 2022 academic year: 3,007

Part-time, half-time, extended-time: Half-time, granted on an ad-hoc basis as an accommodation to those who need it.

Minimum undergraduate academic requirements:

  • 3 years or more (full-time enrollment; 90 credits or the equivalent)
  • Undergraduate program completion is strongly encouraged
  • Mature candidates are not required to have an undergraduate education but it is strongly encouraged

LSAT:

  • June 2018 onward
  • Highest score used
  • Most successful candidates have a score of at least 158
  • The LSAT is not required for French programs

Academic minimums: Most successful applicants have a cumulative GPA of A- or 80%.

School Submissions: Required from all applicants.

Referee forms (letters of reference): 2 required by all; at least 1 from an academic referee.

Programs:

  • JD
  • PDC (Combined French JD/LLL)
  • JD/MA
  • National Program (for candidates who already hold a Canadian LLL)
  • JD/MBA (no application through OLSAS)
  • Dual Can/USA JD (no application through OLSAS)

Categories:

  • General
  • General With Special Circumstances
  • Access
  • Indigenous
  • Mature

Other:

  • Mature applicants must submit an up-to-date resumé or CV.
  • Indigenous applicants must also submit a proof of Indigenous identity and an up-to-date resumé or CV.
  • No firm cut-offs for LSAT or GCPA. Most successful applicants have at least a 158 and A- average but files are reviewed holistically.
  • International transcripts require WES certification (USA exempt).

Read more about the University of Ottawa’s Faculty of Law.

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Queen’s University

First-year class size in 2021: 208

Number of first-year applicants in 2022 academic year: 2,959

Part-time, half-time, extended-time: Part-time (up to 5 spaces available)

Minimum undergraduate academic requirements:

  • 3 years or more
  • Completion of undergraduate degree is preferred and is required for combined programs

LSAT:

  • Earliest acceptable test date: June 2018
  • Latest test accepted: January 2023
  • Highest score is used.

Academic minimums: Most successful applicants have an A- in the top 2 years of their undergraduate degree program.

School Submissions: Required from all applicants.

Referee forms (letters of reference): 1 academic reference. No more than 3 letters of reference may be filed to support an application.

Programs:

  • JD
  • JD Part‑time
  • JD/MBA
  • MIR/JD
  • MPA/JD
  • MA (Economics)/JD

Categories:

  • General
  • Access
  • Black Student Applicant
  • Indigenous

Other:

  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) required for applicants who are not fluent in English.
  • Indigenous and Access categories: Corroborative documentation required for basis of claim.
    • Access applicants must provide an explanation for the basis of claim through a secondary statement.
  • Combined program applicants must apply to OLSAS for JD admission and to the relevant graduate program for graduate admission. Read more about admission to Queen’s University School of Graduate Studies.

Read more about Queen’s University Faculty of Law.

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University of Toronto

First-year class size in 2021: 212

Number of first-year applicants in 2022 academic year: 2,351

Part-time, half-time, extended-time: Half-time

Minimum undergraduate academic requirements: 3 years; almost all admitted applicants have completed a 4-year degree.

LSAT:

  • Earliest acceptable test date – June 2018
  • Latest acceptable test date – January 2023
  • Most successful applicants score 160 and above

Academic minimums: Most successful applicants have a cumulative GPA of A‑ or higher.

School Submissions: Required from all applicants.

Referee forms (letters of reference): References are not required.

Programs:

  • JD
  • JD Half‑time
  • JD/MA (Criminology)
  • JD/MA (Economics)
  • JD/MA (English)
  • JD/MA (European and Russian Affairs)
  • JD/MBA
  • JD/MGA (Global Affairs)
  • JD/MI (Information)
  • JD/MPP (Public Policy)
  • JD/MSW (Social Work)
  • JD/PhD (Criminology)
  • JD/PhD (Economics)
  • JD/PhD (Philosophy)
  • JD/PhD (Political Science)
  • JD/Certificate in Aboriginal Legal Studies
  • JD/Certificate in Environmental Studies
  • JD/Certificate in Sexual Diversity and Gender Studies
  • JD/Collaborative Program in Jewish Studies

Categories:

  • General
  • Indigenous
  • Mature

Other:

  • Mature applicants are required to submit a resumé.
  • We strongly recommend you submit an Optional Essay.
  • Black Student Application Process (BSAP) stream applicants must submit the BSAP Essay.
  • Interviews are not used and letters of reference are not requested.

Read more about the University of Toronto Faculty of Law.

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Western University

First-year class size in 2021: 185

Number of first-year applicants in 2022 academic year: 2,555

Part-time, half-time, extended-time: Extended-time

Minimum undergraduate academic requirements: 3 years of full-time (or equivalent) undergraduate university study is required.

LSAT: 

  • Earliest test accepted: June 2018
  • Latest test accepted: February 2023
  • Scores above the 80th percentile are considered most competitive.
  • Highest score is used for admission purposes, although all scores are reviewed.

Academic minimums: Most successful applicants have a cumulative undergraduate average of A‑ or 3.7 GPA.

School Submissions: Required from all applicants.

Referee forms (letters of reference):

  • General, Access and Indigenous categories – 2 required (1 must be academic)
  • Mature category – 2 required

Programs:

  • Extended-Time JD
  • JD
  • JD/MBA
  • JD/LLM (University of Groningen, The Netherlands)
  • JD/LLB (l’Université Laval, Quebec)
  • JD/MA (History)
  • JD/MSc (Geology/Geophysics)

Categories:

  • General
  • Access
  • Indigenous
  • Mature

Other:

  • TOEFL required if your undergraduate program was not in English.
  • Extended-Time JD applicants: Include reason(s) for the request in your Personal Statement.
  • Indigenous applicants: Proof of Indigenous status or ancestry required.
  • Access applicants: Corroborative documents required.
  • Mature applicants: Resumé required.
  • JD/MBA must apply concurrently to the Ivey Business School.

Visit Western Law for a full list of combined-degree programs.

Read more about Western University’s Faculty of Law.

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University of Windsor

First-year class size in 2021: 167 (JD); 88 (Dual JD)

Number of first-year applicants in 2022 academic year: 2,238 (JD); 534 (JD/JD)

Part-time, Half-time, extended-time: Half-time

Minimum undergraduate academic requirements:

  • 3 years or more is preferred.
  • Most successful applicants have completed a 4-year undergraduate degree.
  • Canadian & American Dual JD program requires the completion of a 4-year undergraduate degree by the beginning of August in the year of entry.

LSAT:

  • Earliest acceptable test date – June 2018
  • Latest acceptable test date – January 2023 (JD), March 2023 (Dual JD)
  • Highest score
  • No minimum LSAT score
  • The LSAT is 1 of 7 criteria considered

Academic minimums: Refer to the University of Windsor’s 7 criteria.

School Submissions: Personal Statement is required from every applicant (found in the application under “School Submissions”).

Referee forms (letters of reference): 1 academic reference form and 1 non-academic reference form (preferably from a community engagement experience).

Programs:

  • JD
  • JD Half‑time
  • Canadian & American Dual JD
  • MSW/JD
  • MBA/JD
  • LLM

Categories:

  • General
  • Indigenous

 Other:

  • A Supplemental Application Form (found in the online application under School Submissions) is required for the Canadian & American Dual JD program.
  • The Half-Time program requires an additional application statement.

Read more about the University of Windsor’s Faculty of Law.

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