Western University. Introduction

(1)

Introduction

Western University, founded in 1878, is one of Canada’s top research-intensive universities. We deliver “The Western Experience”, an exemplary learning

experience that engages the best and brightest people, challenging them to meet ever-higher standards in the classroom and beyond. We inform every dimension of a student – intellectual, social, cultural and physical. Our main campus, considered to be Canada’s most beautiful, spans 400 acres and provides an idyllic environment for our community of scholars. From our home in London in the heart of southwestern Ontario, and outward across every continent, Western prepares future leaders to succeed. With a population of approximately 400,000, London is big enough for the “big city” experience, but still very affordable compared to many other Canadian cities. London boasts an extensive educational and health care community, while providing the safe and clean atmosphere of a small community. Affectionately known as the “Forest City” due to its numerous trees and more than 200 public parks, London boasts an extensive trail system for walking, running, biking or inline skating that runs along the Thames River right onto Western’s campus. Western’s Faculty of Law offers a three-year Juris Doctor (JD) degree program as well as combined graduate and undergraduate degrees in a number of disciplines. An extended-time JD program is also available.

Western Law introduced several curriculum changes in the 2015-2016 academic year. These changes are intended to expand your options and provide greater opportunities for advanced, active and experiential learning. You will take “Orientation to Law & the Legal System”, a new, blended course that introduces you to foundational legal concepts and skills through online modules and short writing exercises. It also features an intense three-day training period in Alternative Dispute Resolution, led by experienced practitioners, which includes simulations, feedback and reflection. In upper years, you will gain additional opportunities to practice their professional writing skills through a new writing requirement. This may include court documents like pleadings and facta, statutory interpretation and legislative drafting exercises, legal memoranda, and contracts.

Also, you may now take Corporate Law in the winter term of first year law – an opportunity that is unique among Canadian law schools. This provides greater flexibility in your upper-year courses and allows students who are interested in business law to take more advanced courses in their second year. It also introduces you to the corporate form of organization, which is fundamental to many areas of legal practice. Finally, a series of curricular streams were developed to provide you with informal guidance on the courses and co-curricular activities you may pursue in light of your interests and career aspirations. The streams will help you understand the relationships between courses and progress toward more advanced study in a particular area. Beginning in 2017, each curricular stream will culminate in an optional “capstone” course in the spring term of third year. These courses will combine theoretical, practical and interdisciplinary components, and will require you to apply the knowledge and skills you gained over your course of study. The capstone courses are intended to assist you in making the transition from legal education to legal practice.

Academic excellence is at the heart of Western Law. Our faculty scholarship is wide-ranging and boasts expertise in business law, international law, torts, insurance law, intellectual property, constitutional law, and legal ethics, among other areas. Our professors make important contributions to the law and public policy in Canada and the world through their scholarly research. They also value collegiality, providing students with significant opportunities to interact with them as academic and professional mentors. An important part of the Western Law student experience is our Small Group Program. All first-year students take a core course with a small group of 22 students where they are introduced to fundamental legal skills and provided with an invaluable support system and individualized attention from their professors. This is further enhanced by teaching assistants who conduct hands-on legal research instruction in the library, assist with skills learning, and act as mentors. Additionally, a three-week period in January is dedicated to providing an intensive active learning experience for every student in the Faculty. First-year students concentrate on moot court

(2)

exercises that further develop their written and oral advocacy skills, while upper-year students choose a limited-enrollment course from a broad range of options, most of which are taught by distinguished visiting professors.

Western Law values and embraces the international experience, believing that in this era of globalization, exposure to another legal system is tremendously important. Our extensive exchange and international law internship programs provide you with an enhanced perspective and a keen understanding of the rule of law beyond our borders. Western Law has one of the most active international exchange programs of any law school in Canada, with 21 partnerships in 16 countries. Each year, we send students to law schools in the United States, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Singapore, India, Australia, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, Germany, France, Spain and Quebec. Through our thriving International Summer Law Internship Program (ISLIP), you have the opportunity to intern with government departments, international organizations, non-governmental organizations and private industries, where you can further hone your ability to succeed and prosper in an increasingly interdependent global system. For additional information about the variety of opportunities available, please see the “Future Students” tab at: www.law.uwo.ca.

The Faculty of Law is strongly committed to excellence and diversity. While we believe that excellence in academic studies is the best evidence of the ability to succeed in law school, we also believe that achievement in other areas may indicate potential for success. Accordingly, our admissions policy, which allows applicants to show their potential in a variety of ways, is designed to produce a mix of students with diverse backgrounds.

For further information about Western Law’s special programs, intensive courses, advocacy competitions, speaker programs, research groups, clinical programs and student life, visit: www.law.uwo.ca.

Applicant Categories/

Eligibility Criteria

First Year

There are two major categories for admission into first year: General and Discretionary. The Admissions Committee – composed of the Associate Dean (Academic), Assistant Dean (Admissions and Recruitment), Assistant Dean (Student Services), faculty members, and third-year law students – will

decide how many offers to make in each category. While academic performance and LSAT scores weigh heavily in the Admissions Committee’s decisions, applications are reviewed holistically. Competitive profiles for each applicant category are provided below and are intended to guide you in determining your likelihood of being admitted to Western Law. If your LSAT score falls below a competitive range for your category of admission, you are encouraged to write the test again. Achieving the competitive criteria in any category does not guarantee admission. General Category

Western requires a minimum of three years of full-time (or equivalent) undergraduate university study, although the majority of admitted students have a four-year or honours degree. A competitive candidate in the General category will have a cumulative average of “A-” (80–84 percent) (GPA 3.7) and an LSAT score above the 80th_{percentile. The Admissions Committee}

considers the highest LSAT score and cumulative GPA but gives greater weight to the last two full years of undergraduate university study. The Committee also considers factors other than grades and LSAT scores, including employment, personal achievements, and success in community and public service, business, athletics, or the arts. A full course load throughout your academic career, enrollment in honours programs, research and writing experience, and graduate work are also very positive factors.

Required application components:

• Official transcripts for all postsecondary education

• Two confidential reference letters, one of which must be academic

• Personal statement

• Autobiographical Sketch and verifiers

• LSAT score(s) (including writing samples) Discretionary Categories

Three years of full-time (or equivalent) undergraduate university study is required if you apply in either the Aboriginal or Access category. A minimum of two years of full-time (or equivalent) undergraduate university study is required if you apply in the Mature category. Moreover, you must provide evidence confirming the basis of your application. The Admissions Committee may interview applicants in

the discretionary categories. Aboriginal

The Faculty of Law recognizes that members of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities are not adequately represented within the legal profession and therefore strongly encourages applications from these groups. Aboriginal candidates may be admitted unconditionally, or subject to successfully completing the Summer Native Law Program at the University of Saskatchewan. Upon successfully completing that

(3)

program, credit will be given for Property Law. A competitive candidate in the Aboriginal category will have a cumulative average of “B+” (78 percent) (GPA 3.3) and an LSAT score above the 60th_percentile.

Financial assistance is available for Métis and Non-Status Indians through the Department of Justice Canada’s “Legal Studies for Aboriginal People

Program”.

• Two confidential reference letters, one of which must be academic. The other should provide corroboration of involvement with the Aboriginal community.

• LSAT score(s) (including writing samples)

• Proof of Aboriginal status Access

Access applicants are those whose academic performance was affected by a proven disadvantage that may include, but is not limited to cultural, financial, medical or physical barriers, and/or a learning disability. As an Access applicant, you must describe how the disadvantage affected your academic record and provide supporting documentation. Applicants with disabilities are required to provide full documentation from qualified professionals on their disability and its effect on their academic record or LSAT scores. To be considered for financial disadvantage, and since many students work part time, the extent of the work should be at least 30 hours of work per week during the academic year and should be documented by a letter from the employer(s). Although grades may have been affected by a proven disadvantage, you must show evidence of your potential to succeed at law school. This will require at least one academic year of competitive grades among three years of full-time (or equivalent) undergraduate university study. A competitive candidate in the Access category will have a cumulative average of “B+” (78 percent) (GPA 3.3) and an LSAT score above the 65th_percentile.

• Two confidential reference letters, one of which must be academic

• Corroborative documentation to substantiate the claim of disadvantage and demonstrate its effect on the academic record or LSAT score(s)

Mature

Mature applicants must have at least five years of non-university experience since leaving high school (and prior to admission) and a minimum of two years full-time (or equivalent) undergraduate university study. The years of non-university experience do not need to be consecutive. A competitive candidate in the Mature category will have a cumulative average of “B+” (78 percent) (GPA 3.3) and an LSAT score above the 65th_percentile.

• Two confidential reference letters, one of which should be academic, if possible, and one that provides corroboration of distinctive achievements. This could include a letter from an employer.

• Resumé (which may provide more detail than the Autobiographical Sketch)

Personal Statement

A personal statement is required. The statement allows you to expand on information in the autobiographical sketch and to identify academic strengths and other achievements. The ability to succeed in a non-academic area may reflect characteristics that allow the Admissions Committee to predict success in legal studies. Similarly, the fact that you have overcome a significant disadvantage, and achieved significant success, may also demonstrate these same characteristics. The personal statement must be authored entirely by you and must not exceed 6,000 characters (including spaces).

There are two parts to Western’s Personal Statement: Part A allows the Admissions Committee to get a sense of your unique personality and why you would be an asset to Western Law. It serves as an opportunity to highlight your strengths, accomplishments, goals and experiences. Specific examples are considered much more helpful than generalizations. Some suggestions are included below. Part B requires you to respond to one of four possible questions.

If you are an Access applicant, you will be asked to complete an additional section – Part C (maximum 1,000 characters) – for the purpose of discussing your Access claim.

Part A (maximum 4,500 characters) Suggestions:

• your strength in academics

• how your academic program(s) and/or employment have prepared you for the study of law

• your interest in legal study and how you plan to use your Western law degree

(4)

• personal and/or professional achievements

• excellence in non-academic endeavours

• life experiences that provide evidence of maturity, focus, leadership, self-discipline, creativity, or the ability to overcome adversity

• if you are applying in the Aboriginal category, your ties to your Aboriginal community

• any other information you would like the Admissions Committee to consider

Part B (maximum 1,500 characters) Please write about ONE of the following:

1. In your opinion, what does it mean to be a professional?

2. What rigorous research/writing project have you completed and what did you learn from it?

3. What challenging ethical issue have you encountered and how did you resolve it?

4. How might you contribute to the diversity of the law school in terms of your background and experience?

Note: While review of your personal statement by others is acceptable, the statement must be written by you alone. Extensive editing or rewriting by others is not permissible. When you submit your personal statement to Western University Faculty of Law through OLSAS you confirm that you are the true author of the statement.

Additional Documentation

If applicable, you must provide the following additional documentation:

• Proof of permanent resident status (a photocopy of the front and back of the Permanent Resident Card). The date on the back must be legible. Canadian citizens do not need to submit proof of citizenship.

• Proof of English proficiency (within the last two years) if English is not your first language and your university education was in a language other than English. Satisfactory achievement can be demonstrated in one of the following ways:

• The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): The minimum acceptable score is 109 for the internet-based version, with a minimum score of 25 for writing and speaking skills, 267 (computer-based), or 630 (paper-based) Western’s TOEFL ID is 0984. Application forms and additional information may be obtained from the TOEFL website.

• The International English Language Testing Service (IELTS) of the British Council: The minimum acceptable score is 8 out of 9. The

IELTS is offered in six test centres in the US and three in Canada. Information on the IELTS may be obtained from the IELTS website.

• The Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) of the University of Michigan: The minimum acceptable score is 85 on each of the sections and an overall score of at least 91. Arrangements to write the MELAB may be made online.

Further information is available on our website under the “Future Students” tab at: www.law.uwo.ca. Extended-Time JD Program

The Extended-Time JD Program is available for up to five students entering first year. The program is designed for students who cannot manage a full-time program because of family responsibilities, health problems, disabilities, financial necessity, or other special circumstances. Information outlining the reasons for requesting the Extended-Time JD Program should be included in the personal statement. Incoming first-year students in the Extended-Time JD Program are required to take a small-group core course, which includes Legal Research, Writing and Advocacy, a second core course, and Orientation to Law & the Legal System. Some flexibility is required of students in the Extended-Time JD Program, as many courses will be scheduled during regular day-time hours. You are required to meet the existing admissions criteria and should apply for the Extended-Time JD Program at the same time as the application for admission to first-year Law. You are also required to complete the program within six years.

Law School Admission Test (LSAT)

The LSAT is required. The LSAT must have been taken on or after June 2011. February 2016 is the latest LSAT score accepted for September 2016 admission. However, it is strongly recommended that you write the LSAT by December 2015. Since the February LSAT results are not provided to Law Admissions until mid-March, and applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, writing the February 2016 LSAT may jeopardize your chance of admission.

Deadlines for First-Year Applicants

Application, reference letters and transcripts are due November 1, 2015.

Admission to Second or Third Year

There are three categories of applicants to second and third year:

1. Transfer

2. Letter of Permission 3. Advanced Standing

(5)

The number of admissions in these categories are limited by the availability of places in the second and third year. The competition for these positions is signficant. Generally, you will receive priority if you are an upper-year applicant who meets the competitive profile (as outlined above for our General Category), and you have strong first-year law school grades, which factor heavily in the admissions decision. Compassionate reasons, where relevant, will also be considered.

Required documents (as specified below for each category) must be submitted to OLSAS.

You must provide the following application components:

• Personal statement, including your reason for transfer, seeking advanced standing or studying on a letter of permission, as the case may be. The structure of the personal statement is the same for first-year and upper-year applicants.

• Autobiographical Sketch and verifiers Transfer

If you are currently enrolled in first year at another Canadian law school, you may be admitted as a transfer student to the second year of the Western Law program. Transfer students who successfully complete the last two years of the program will receive a JD degree from Western University. Documentation:

• Up-to-date transcript from your current law school

• Two confidential reference letters from law professors

• A letter from your current law school confirming that you are in good standing and have not been the subject of any academic or non-academic discipline

Letter of Permission

If you are currently enrolled at a Canadian law school, you can apply to study for one academic year at Western Law on a Letter of Permission prescribing a program of approved courses from your current law school. Typically, these requests are made by second-year students who seek to study at Western in their third year. If you successfully complete the approved program on a Letter of Permission, you do not receive a JD degree from Western. Rather, you receive a law degree from your home law school. Documentation:

• Up-to-date transcript from your current law school

• A letter from your current law school confirming that you are in good standing and have not been the subject of any academic or non-academic discipline Advanced Standing

If you have successfully completed part or all of your legal education outside of Canada, you may be considered for admission with advanced standing. Except in extraordinary circumstances, you will not receive more than one year’s advanced standing. Thus, if admitted, you will be required to satisfy the program requirements of Western Law over a two-year period. Upon successfully completing the program, you will be eligible to receive a JD degree from Western University. Advanced standing applicants who have not written the LSAT are required to do so. June 2016 LSAT scores for September 2016 admission will be accepted. Documentation:

• A final or up-to-date transcript from your current law school

• A letter from your current law school confirming that you are in good standing and have not been the subject of any academic or non-academic discipline

Deadline for Upper-Year Applicants

Application, reference letters, transcripts and any other supporting documents are due May 1, 2016.

Combined-Degree Programs

The HBA/JD with the Ivey Business School and the BESc/JD with the Faculty of Engineering (eight programs) are Western Law’s most popular combined undergraduate programs. These programs allow students to complete both degrees in six years (one year less than if the degrees were pursued consecutively). Applications for combined-degree undergraduate programs are submitted directly to the Admissions Office at the Faculty of Law by May 1, 2016, for September 2016 admission. June 2016 LSAT scores are accepted.

Western Law also offers a combined JD/BCL program with l’Université Laval and the following combined-degree graduate programs:

• JD/MSc (Computer Science)

• JD/MSc (Geology or Geophysics)

• JD/MA (History)

• JD/MBA (Ivey Business School)

(6)

Applications to the JD/MSc or JD/MA combined programs must be submitted to both programs separately. This can be done in one of two ways: 1. Apply to both programs separately by the

deadlines established by the Faculty of Law (November 1 for fall admission) and the Computer Science, Geology/Geophysics, or History Graduate programs. The application for the JD program is available on the OLSAS website.

2. Apply to the MSc program by the deadline established by the Computer Science, Geology/ Geophysics, or History Graduate programs (prior to beginning Law 1).

In either case, you must indicate on both applications, your intention to pursue the combined-degree program.

JD/MBA Program

The JD/MBA program is a limited-enrollment program administered jointly by the Faculty of Law and the Ivey Business School. The program is designed for candidates who envision a career in areas where business and law are integrated. In this program, you complete both degrees in just over three years instead of the four it would take if the programs were completed consecutively. A minimum of two years of full-time quality work experience is required for the MBA program. If you apply to the JD/MBA, you are not required to write the GMAT. Your LSAT score will be considered by the Ivey Business School in lieu of the GMAT.

While you will select “JD/MBA” as an option when you complete your OLSAS JD application, you must submit a separate application to the Ivey Business School no later than January 2016, as the first MBA component (business essentials) of the JD/MBA program begins in March 2016 – before first-year law. After completing first-year law, you will take both MBA and law courses in your second and third years of study. This schedule allows for summer internships in either law or business after first or second year. For further program and application details, visit Ivey’s MBA website: www.ivey.uwo.ca/mba/about/combined-jdmba-degree/.

Supplementary Information

for All Applicants

Assessment of Foreign Transcripts

If you have undertaken undergraduate studies outside of Canada and the United States, you must have your foreign transcript assessed by World Education

Services (WES) or an equivalent service. Visit: www.wes.org/ca/.

If you have undertaken graduate studies outside of Canada and the United States, you are not required to have your foreign transcript assessed by WES or an equivalent service, although such an assessment may be requested.

In addition, a WES assessment is not required for courses taken as part of an exchange program, as long as transfer credits for those courses appear on the home university transcript.

Documentation

It is your responsibility to ensure that all documentation is submitted to OLSAS by the published deadlines. Deferral of Admission

Requests for a one-year deferral of admission will be considered on an individual basis after you are admitted. Written requests, with supporting documentation, should be submitted to the Assistant Dean (Admissions and Recruitment). If a deferral is granted, you must firmly accept your offer of admission and not apply to any other law schools in the next application cycle.

Fee Waivers

Applications for a waiver of Western University’s portion of the application fee should be made directly to the Admissions Office at the Faculty of Law prior to submitting the Law School application through OLSAS. Contact the Admissions Office in advance to request the proper form. Complete supporting documentation is required. Granting fee waivers is discretionary and rare. The deadline for submitting a fee waiver application and supporting documentation is October 15, 2015 (for first-year applicants), and April 15, 2016 (for upper-year applicants).

Late Applications

Late applications may be submitted only with the permission of the Admissions Committee. Extensions are granted only in exceptional circumstances. Requests for permission to submit a late application must be made, in writing, to the Assistant Dean (Admissions and Recruitment) with full details of the reasons for the request, including substantiating documentation where relevant. Indicate the category under which you seek admission (General, Mature, Access, Aboriginal, or Canadian Forces) and provide all contact information.

The request, transcripts, and a copy of LSAT scores (and/or confirmation of the date when a future LSAT will be written), can be faxed to the attention of the Assistant Dean (Admissions and Recruitment)

(7)

at 519-661-2063 or emailed with attachments to [email protected]. Failure to provide supporting documents will delay the processing of the request. Requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis and decisions to grant or deny requests are within the sole discretion of the Admissions Committee. You will need to create an OLSAS account to obtain a user ID (IT number) and provide Western’s Admissions Office with this number.

Entrance Scholarships

First-year students may receive Dean of Law Entrance Scholarships and Dean of Law Continuing Entrance Scholarships in amounts up to $20,000. Descriptions of other named entrance scholarships available through the Faculty of Law may be found under the “Future Students” tab at: www.law.uwo.ca. All admitted students will be considered for merit-based entrance scholarships without further application.

Government and Student Loans

Both the federal and provincial governments provide student financial assistance for Canadian citizens and permanent residents studying at the postsecondary level. Financial assistance is in the form of an interest free loan while a full-time student. Ontario students should apply to the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) at: https://osap.gov.on.ca. Students from other provinces should obtain application information by contacting the appropriate government office in their province.

Bursaries

More than 50 percent of Western’s law students qualify for bursaries each year. To be considered for an entrance bursary, which is non-repayable, you must also apply for government student loans. The online entrance bursary application is available in January. This information is sent to you via email with

the confirmation of receipt of your application. For further information, see the Student Finances link at: www.registrar.uwo.ca.

False or Misleading Information

If it is discovered that your application contains false or misleading information, it will be immediately rejected or result in the revocation of admission and/or registration. You may also be reported to the Law School Admission Council’s Misconduct and Irregularities in the Application Process Subcommittee for further action. Please provide completely accurate information with your application.

Inquiries

If you have questions about the application and receipt of supporting documents, please contact OLSAS.

If you have questions about our admissions policies and standards, or wish to arrange a tour of Western Law with a student ambassador or admissions personnel, please contact:

Admissions Faculty of Law Room 222 Western University London ON N6A 3K7 Telephone: 519-661-3347 Fax: 519-661-2063 Email: [email protected] Website: www.law.uwo.ca

We invite you to meet with us at Western University’s Graduate and Professional Careers Fair on October 23, 2015.