Application Process

Ontario Law School Application Service

All applications to Ontario law schools are processed centrally by the Ontario Law School Application Service (OLSAS), which is a division of the Ontario University Application Centre (OUAC).

Ontario Universities' Application Centre
170 Research Lane, Guelph, Ontario, Canada N1G 5E2
Telephone: 519-823-1940
Facsimile: 519-823-5232
Email: olsas@ouac.on.ca

The annual OLSAS Application Guide provides you with all the details you need to create an account and complete the application process.  You may create your account as early as mid-August for the current application cycle. You are strongly encouraged to begin the application process early and allow sufficient time for the processing of all your documents.  Please read the Application Guide carefully, including the Western Law pages, to ensure you comply with all application requirements. 

The application admissions cycle will be made available in late-August.  The deadline for first-year applications is November 1 for admission the following September.  All documentation, including transcripts and reference letters, must be received by OLSAS by this date.

Please also visit our FAQ for First Year Applicants.

If you are interested in our JD/MBA, please submit an application to both programs separately.    

Law:   Apply to Western Law through OLSAS as indicated above.  Check both “JD” and “JD/MBA” when selecting the programs to which you are applying.  There is no extra cost associated with this.  (If you select only JD/MBA you will still be considered for the JD program.)

Business:  The application to the MBA is available on the Ivey Business School website.

For more information about our JD/MBA program, please click here.

Law School Admission Test (LSAT)

The Law School Admission Test is required for all first-year applications and is a key first step in the  process. Further details, including the online application, are available at www.lsac.org under the "LSAT" tab.

The LSAT is offered multiple times annually. Although you need not write the LSAT before applying, January is the latest LSAT score we accept for September admission.

Late Applications

Late applications may be submitted only with permission. Extensions are granted only in exceptional circumstances. A vague reference to “technical difficulties” with the OLSAS portal does not, standing alone, constitute an exceptional circumstance.

Requests for permission to submit a late application must be made in writing as soon as possible after the circumstances that led to this request and must include:  

  • your OLSAS username (if you have not yet done so, you will have to create an OLSAS account to obtain an OLSAS username);
  • full details of the reasons for the request;
  • substantiating documentation where relevant, e.g., medical documents, any computer screenshots showing dates/times, or verification of extenuating circumstances;
  • if you accessed the portal on November 1:  information relating to when you logged into the OLSAS portal on that date (which may be verified with OLSAS);
  • the program for which you are seeking admission (JD, Extended Time JD, JD/MBA, Transfer, Letter of Permission, Advanced Standing);
  • the applicant category under which you are seeking admission (General, Access, Black, Indigenous, Mature);
  • transcripts (official or unofficial); and
  • confirmation of LSAT scores (and/or the date when a future LSAT will be written).

All materials can be emailed with attachments to lawapp@uwo.ca

Requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis and decisions to grant or deny requests are within the sole discretion of the Assistant Dean (Admissions).

The personal information collected will be used for the sole purpose of processing your request to submit a late application and will be retained in the Admissions Office until August 31. If you have any questions or concerns about the information collected or how it will be used please contact the Admissions Office at 519-661-3347 or lawapp@uwo.ca.