Applicant Categories

A minimum of three years of full-time (or equivalent) undergraduate university study is required as the basis for admission. However, the majority of our admitted students will have a four-year university degree. The Admissions Committee considers all grades but gives greater weight to the last two full years (or equivalent) of undergraduate study. A competitive candidate in the General category will have an A- (80%-84% / 3.7 GPA) average, particularly for the last two full years of undergraduate university study, and an LSAT score above the 80th percentile.

The Committee also considers factors other than grades and LSAT for all admissions categories, including success in community and public service, business, athletics, or the arts. A full course-load throughout the candidate's academic career, enrolment in honors programs, and graduate work are also positive factors. Achieving the competitive criteria is not a guarantee of admission.

All applicants who apply in one of three discretionary categories, Mature, Access, or Aboriginal, must provide evidence confirming the basis of their application. Achieving the competitive criteria in any of the discretionary categories is not a guarantee of admission. The Admissions Committee may interview applicants in the discretionary categories.

The Faculty of Law recognizes that members of First Nations, Inuit and Métis are not adequately represented within the legal profession and therefore strongly encourages applications from these groups. Indigenous candidates may be admitted unconditionally, or subject to the successful completion of the Native Law Centre Summer Program at the University of Saskatchewan. Upon successful completion of the program, credit will be given for Property Law.

A competitive candidate in the Indigenous category will have an overall average of B+ (78% / 3.3 GPA) and an LSAT score above the 60th percentile. Applicants are also required to provide proof of Indigenous status or ancestry, or other ties to their Indigenous community.  A minimum of three years of full-time (or equivalent) undergraduate university study is required.

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

Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC)'s Post-Secondary Student Support Program (PSSSP) provides financial assistance to First Nation and eligible Inuit students who are enrolled in eligible post-secondary programs. Additional federal assistance is also available to indigenous students from several other sources.  For more information, visit Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada's Post-Secondary Student Support Program website.

Further information about Indigenous Initiatives at Western.

Access applicants are those whose academic performance has been adversely impacted by circumstances that created a disadvantage. These may include, for example, a learning disability or cultural, financial, medical, or physical barriers. Candidates must describe how the disadvantage has affected their academic record and must provide supporting references and 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, including information on whether the LSAT was written with accommodations.

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 must be documented by a letter from the employer(s).

Although grades may have been affected by a proven disadvantage, applicants must show evidence of their potential to succeed at law school. This will require at least one academic year of competitive grades among a minimum of three years full-time (or equivalent) undergraduate university study. A competitive candidate will have an overall average of B+ (78% / 3.3 GPA) and an LSAT score above the 65th percentile.

Mature candidates must have at least five years of non-university experience since leaving high school and a minimum of two years full-time (or equivalent) university study.

A competitive candidate in the Mature category will have an overall average of B+ (78% / 3.3 GPA) and an LSAT score above the 65th percentile. Mature applicants are asked to provide a resumé as a supplementary document when filing their application.

Medically released personnel from the Canadian Forces apply under the Canadian Forces Access Category directly to the Faculty of Law by November 1 for September admission the following year.

All other Canadian Forces personnel should apply in either the General category or the Mature category through the Ontario Law School Application Service.

Application documents required for Canadian Forces Access Category only:

1. Signed application form. Please email the Law Admissions Office at lawapp@uwo.ca for a copy of the form.
2. Transcripts sent directly from EACH university, college or other post- secondary institution you have previously attended. You are not required to submit Western University grades.
3. A personal statement of up to 7000 characters (including spaces). There are two parts to the personal statement. Please email lawapp@uwo.ca for additional instructions.
4. Resumé
5. A copy of the LSAT Score Report and LSAT Writing Sample, which can be forwarded via email to lawapp@uwo.ca.
6. Reference letters (two required). Reference letters must be forwarded by your referees directly to the Law Admissions Office.
7. Documentation confirming medical release from the Canadian Forces.
8. Application fee of $100.00 (Please make cheque payable to The University of Western Ontario).

The application and supporting documents (including official transcripts) should be sent directly to:

The Admissions Office 
Room 222
Faculty of Law 
Western University 
London, Ontario N6A 3K7