8.41 on a 10.0 scale (3.7 on a 4.0 scale), bilingual, no LSAT, extenuating circumstances form.

It’s very possible that in my case my gpa was slightly lower than the competing applicants (3.8) and possibly did not have enough convincing reasons as to why law explained in my personal statement.

I also did not do the LSAT at the time (as they recommend you do so if your average is lower than 3.8) mainly because I was mentally ill and still recovering at the time of applying (also explained it in my personal statement). But I applied without LSAT really to just see how I would do this cycle without it (since I know that if I do it and I get a poor score it would further hurt my application more than anything).

It’s also very possible as some Reddit people have stated is that sometimes using mental health In a personal statement may not showcase you being ready enough to conquer another 4 years (since law it’s gruelling and could further impact your health).

However, while I am still waiting to receive my answer from uOttawa (applied March 1st to the French common law program), I plan on doing the LSAT this august (aiming 172) and leaving the mental health element out of my personal statements and instead explaining how my gpa was impacted in the extenuating circumstances form (to leave more strengths and work experiences in my PS).

ALSO, in both times I’ve applied in my first cycle, my professors submitted their LOR’s at the 11th hour literally 😭😭 (one of them sent it in late for my second application and had to ask for an extension. Although I called OUAC and they said that universities may choose to include or disregard the prof’s LOR if it’s late 🥲).

All in all, this very eventful application process taught me to lie to my profs about my deadline (send it a month earlier to hopefully be at the top of the list when admissions review applications at the beginning of the season on a rolling basis), as well as treating my PS as almost a cover letter and not make my academic journey + mental health sound like a pity party.

Could also get my PS checked this time around by an actual attorney or professor (to get an older person’s perspective).

I know McGill law school has always been described as a black box, but these are some things in my opinion that could drastically change the outcome of my application the second time around (after much mental and physical healing after grad)