Prospective Black Law Students
Western Law is pleased to financially support the law school application process for five Black undergraduate students. Eligible students will receive a $1000 package that includes:
- A voucher for the $200 Ontario University Application Centre (OUAC) application fee;
- A waiver of Western’s Faculty of Law application fee ($115); and
- Princeton Review’s LSAT Fundamentals LSAT Prep Course, which includes:
- 30 hours of virtual class prep with an expert instructor
- Online lessons to help reinforce your in-class prep
- 4 practice tests (to be self-proctored at home)
- Online score reports with detailed explanations
- 150+ hours of additional videos and online content
- Access to the official LSAT Prep Plus package - 60+ full Official LSAT PrepTests™
We are currently receiving applications for the 2024 cycle. Decisions will be made on a rolling basis.
Eligibility
In order to be eligible for this package, you must demonstrate:
- financial need;
- academic promise, defined as a cumulative B (73-76%) average in your undergraduate performance to date; and
- an intention to apply to Western Law for the following application cycle.
Application Package
In order to be considered for our Black Students Law School Application Package, please contact us for an Application Form at lawapp@uwo.ca and provide the following information:
- Statement of Interest (maximum 500 words), which should address why you are interested in law school and what you would like to do with a law degree;
- Completed Application Form and supporting documentation demonstrating low income/financial need;
- Up-to-date academic transcript(s) from all post-secondary institutions attended (unofficial copies are acceptable); and
- Resume.
All materials can be submitted using one of the following methods:
Email: lawapp@uwo.ca
In person or by mail: Western University Faculty of Law
Room 222 (Admissions Office), Second Floor
Western University, 1151 Richmond Street
London, ON N6A 3K7
Fax: 519-850-2412 (Attention: Admissions Office)
Law Awards for Black Students
All admitted students are automatically considered for entrance scholarships as part of the application process. In addition to being eligible for all Faculty of Law Entrance Scholarships, Black students admitted to Western Law are specifically considered for the following awards:
Bereskin & Parr LLP Scholarship
Awarded annually to an undergraduate student entering first year in the Faculty of Law, based on academic achievement in pre-Law studies who is Indigenous or self-identifies as Black. Preference will be given to students with a post-secondary degree in a STEM discipline (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics). The Faculty of Law scholarship committee will select the recipient. This scholarship is supported by a generous donation from Bereskin & Parr LLP.
Value: 1 at $2,000
Gurmukh Family Bursary in Law
Awarded annually to a full-time student in Year 1 or 2 in the Faculty of Law, based on demonstrated financial need. Preference will be given to a student who is: Black, Indigenous, or is a member of another racialized group experiencing hardship economic disadvantage or discrimination. Online financial assistance applications are available through Student Center and must be submitted by October 31. The Office of the Registrar will select the recipient. This bursary is made possible by a generous gift from Mr. Sunil Gurmukh (LLB 2008) and the Gurmukh family.
Sunil Gurmukh is a human rights lawyer in Toronto, an Adjunct Professor at Western Law and was named one of Canada's top 25 most influential lawyers by Canada Lawyer Magazine in 2019. The Gurmukh family established this award to increase diversity in the legal profession and the Western Law student community and further access to justice for Black and Indigenous communities.
Value: 1 at $1,000
Violet King Award
Awarded annually to a full-time Black student in Year 1 in the Faculty of Law who has experienced hardship, economic disadvantage or discrimination, and has demonstrated financial need. Online financial assistance applications are available through Student Center and must be submitted by September 30. A statement outlining how the candidate has experienced hardship, economic disadvantage or discrimination must be submitted to the Dean's Office in the Faculty of Law by September 30. The Scholarship Committee in the Faculty of Law will select the recipient once the Office of the Registrar has determined financial need. During any year, if there is no eligible candidate in Year 1, the prior recipient may receive it again in Year 2 or 3. If there is no eligible candidate during any year with financial need, a Black student in any year will be selected, based on academic achievement only. This award, named in honour of Violet King, is made possible by a generous gift from members of the Law Class of 2013 and friends.
In 1953 Violet King became the first Black Canadian to obtain a law degree in Alberta and the first Black person admitted to the Alberta Bar and to practice Law in Canada. King practised criminal law in Calgary for several years. She later moved to Ottawa to work with Citizenship and Immigration. In 1969, King moved to Chicago to become the director of manpower, planning and staff development with the YMCA. In 1976, she was appointed executive director of the National Council of YMCA’s Organizational Development Group, making her the first woman to be named to an executive position with the national organization. King shattered glass ceilings and broke down colour barriers to pave the way for future generations. Her hard work and drive to excel in all facets of her career are an inspiration for those who also aspire to do great things in their field. Violet King died in 1982 at the age of 53.
Value: 1 at $5,000. Effective 2020-2021 to 2024-2025 academic years inclusive.
If you have any questions please contact lawapp@uwo.ca.
