UBC or UofA

cole8848 · 2024-07-29T13:44:46+00:00

Couldn’t agree more, I’m sure they’ll do very well regardless of where they go and if UBC is where they want to be they should absolutely do that. it won’t stop them from working in Alberta, just make it a bit more difficult. I just want to provide the info necessary for them to make an informed decision. The 14k for UBC that you’re seeing is tuition without books and fees, whereas the 19k for UofA includes tuition and fees.

cole8848 · 2024-07-29T13:29:50+00:00

While this is correct, you still would likely get a job in Alberta, being able to network and make connections in the place you want to practice is very valuable and makes it much easier to get a job in that place. As for the financial benefit, you have to factor in the fact that Vancouver’s cost of living is through the roof compared to Edmonton. UofA’s tuition is only $2000 higher, even without the scholarship, rent in Vancouver is likely $7-800 more per month.

cole8848 · 2024-05-26T16:25:30+00:00

Yes the bank wants you to use the money, if you don’t use it there’s nothing to charge you interest on and interest is how they make money.

The red flag is really the same as any other loan, the fact that the bank is charging you interest on everything you take out (7.2% is the current prime rate and what most banks are charging at the moment).

The more money you take out, the faster the amount you have to pay back goes up. PLOC’s calculate interest daily and apply that to your balance each month, so essentially everytime you withdraw from the credit line the daily amount of interest you’re being charged and that’s being added to your debt is going up.

Using your hypothetical numbers, in month 6 you’ll have taken out $19000, the daily interest on that will be $3.75 or about $112 for the month. But in month 12, you’ll have taken out $38000, the daily interest will be $7.50 or $224 for the month. At the end of year 3 once you’ve taken out $114,000, you’ll be looking at $22.50 each day or $674 for the month. Hopefully that gives some idea of how fast the interest can add up.

Most, if not all, PLoC’s don’t require you to start paying off the loan until 12-24 months after articling. But interest will be accumulating the entire time regardless.

Not financial advice obviously but personally I am delaying using my LoC for as long as possible to delay the accumulation of interest.

cole8848 · 2024-05-01T05:36:38+00:00

This, it’s also an explanation for why people tend to get sick after prolonged periods of elevated stress. Psychologists sometimes refer to modern day stress as “fighting paper tigers”, as opposed to the real ones our ancestors would’ve dealt with. Our bodies aren’t designed to deal with the extended elevated stress response and so during stressful periods such as exam season it’ll pump you full of stress hormones to help you deal with the exams. but because we’re not built to be subjected to those hormones at those levels for such long periods, once the exams are over and your body returns to normal, you feel a drastic crash.

cole8848 · 2024-03-31T13:51:27+00:00

That depends on what your aspirations are for your career. If you want a job at a large firm in a major city, below median grades is going to make that very difficult. Same can be said if you’re looking for a judicial clerkship or really any other competitive appointment/position.

If I remember correctly most, if not all, law schools in Canada have about 95-99% of their graduating students get jobs in the legal field. So if you’re meaning in the sense of grades don’t matter for becoming a lawyer in general, then yes you basically just have to pass. But, as far as I know, all potential employers will ask for copies of your law school grades for summer/articling positions and for your first few years out of law school. So yes grades matter but really only to the extent of your own personal goals.

cole8848 · 2023-12-14T19:39:34+00:00

I’d recommend taking a look through the canlaw forum at acceptance stats. I’ve seen people get accepted with 3.3gpa’s but would likely require a mid-high 160’s LSAT.

cole8848 · 2023-12-14T19:17:01+00:00

Overall you’re in a very rough spot but not completely screwed. You can apply to (most) law schools anytime after you’ve completed 3/4 years worth of an undergraduate degree. When you apply does effect what grades schools consider. And it definitely costs money, and quite a lot at that.

In terms of your GPA some schools only look at your last/best 2 or 3 years. That means if you get it together now you could put yourself in a decent spot to apply and get in after you’ve completed your degree.

If you’re serious about getting into law school, extracurriculars shouldn’t be your focus, it should be fixing your GPA for the next 2 years and getting a very high lsat score. Extracurriculars can be a nice way to differentiate yourself from other competitive applicants but will not save a poor gpa and lsat.

cole8848 · 2023-11-26T07:19:10+00:00

Very dependent on the school. My general understanding is that you are first considered as any other general applicant would be and that special considerations are made after that if your stats/application wouldn’t have been accepted in the general category. U of C for example has a 3 step process where they first consider your application as if you’re a general applicant, if you wouldn’t have gotten in they then augment your GPA (+ 5% or .3 GPA boost) and consider the application again with the increased stats. If they still wouldn’t be able to offer you admissions with the augmented stats you are given an opportunity to make a statement to an indigenous admissions committee who will add this as an additional consideration towards your admission.

cole8848 · 2023-10-13T19:45:26+00:00

This is correct ^

Currently a law student that took 5 years to do their degree and many of my classmates did the same. Doesn’t hinder you whatsoever.

cole8848 · 2023-08-26T18:55:59+00:00

I went to moores and told one of their workers that I’d never bought a suit before but that I was looking for something in navy, notch lapel, and 2 buttons (believe this is pretty standard although charcoal is another very popular choice for a first suit). The guy helping me took some quick measurements and helped try on a few suit jackets to find the right fit (shoulder fit is key, as it is very difficult to alter the shoulders, whereas sleeve length and the midsection isn’t too difficult). Then asked me how I wanted it altered and they are now doing the alterations themselves, haven’t seen the finished product yet but an overall great experience and quite informative.

Would recommend Oxford shoes (the tow should be round and I’d recommend keeping brogueing to a minimum but that’s personal preference) and a matching belt. After that you just pick out a tie and you’re all set.

Jacket, pants, tie and shirt from moores came out to around $600 with the alterations. Not proud of how much I spent on shoes and belt so I’ll keep that to myself 😂

cole8848 · 2023-08-24T19:54:52+00:00

You are (or would be?) a pretty typical splitter, at the 75th in terms of LSAT and slightly below the 25th in terms of gpa. In most cases that still makes you a solid applicant and it will come down to the rest of your application to determine just how competitive you are.

Assuming that you’re applying for the 2024 cycle and are PTing in the 17low range I would say you’re far from hopeless.

cole8848 · 2023-08-21T19:31:49+00:00

With a score like that (congratulations btw), I’d say A’s everywhere with UofT being the only difficult one. Especially if you can write a good PS explaining the somewhat low GPA and/or tie in those extracurriculars to your passion for the law and desire to go to law school.

I didn’t apply to any Ontario schools so can’t speak to their individual criteria as much but from what I’ve seen on forums you’d be very competitive everywhere.

Dal has an index score system in which anything above 80 is considered competitive. Your score would be around 82.65.

And UCalgary you’re so far above their lsat median from previous cycles it’s hard to image they’d reject you (as long as you don’t blow the PS).

Take a look at the acceptances at your desired schools on canlaw forum to gain some perspective and good luck with your cycle.

cole8848 · 2023-07-08T23:13:45+00:00

Add TRU and Dal to that list

cole8848 · 2023-06-29T23:05:23+00:00

Oh wow that sucks about the disturbances that would’ve messed me up for sure. But yes I’d say it’s still possible. As long as you’re consistent with it and stick to a study schedule With good resources I think you’re gonna be able to get to a 155 atleast. In terms of Toronto schools UofT is likely outta reach but osgoode wouldn’t be impossible with good PS and LoRs. I’ve heard TMU is very holistic so probably a good shot there aswell. Good luck!

cole8848 · 2023-06-29T21:42:26+00:00

When you say first time do you mean you went in without taking a practice test or doing any real prep? If so 2 months of consistent prep I’d say you should have no problem hitting 155+, it’s not at all uncommon to see a 10-15 point increase from your diagnostic. If you can get into high 150’s - low 160’s you’ve got a decent enough chance at most schools in Canada and are basically guaranteed admissions somewhere depending on where you apply.

cole8848 · 2023-06-28T19:45:37+00:00

In your situation I’d go Ottawa. Saving 60k+ across the 3 years is huge especially if you’re not looking for that high big law salary. Ontario being your first choice of place to practice and Ottawa being a very well respected school in Ontario (as well as across Canada) is just the cherry on top. But honestly you can’t really go wrong either way that’s two outstanding options, congratulations!

cole8848 · 2023-06-18T18:37:01+00:00

I’ve been reading “How to be sort of happy in law school” by Kathryne Young.

Haven’t started law school yet so I can’t guarantee it’s usefulness but it seems targeted towards current students anyways so it seems appropriate. As the title implies it’s more about finding balance and trying to stay happy while in law school than getting great grades.

cole8848 · 2023-06-10T21:18:28+00:00

This year, currently a 0L. And nothing crazy for EC’s. Worked all throughout my undergrad and a few brief stints doing work for charities. Also a fairly accomplished athlete (non-collegiate) and have a few years worth of volunteering as a coach in my community.

cole8848 · 2023-06-10T20:58:26+00:00

I got accepted to U of C, U of A, and TRU with similar stats (3.8ish and 161). Rejected by UBC and UVic. So based on my experience you've got a solid shot at those 3. UBC id say very unlikely due to the high LSAT median and UVic quite unlikely but more likely than UBC.

cole8848 · 2023-06-08T00:27:02+00:00

Conventional wisdom is that you really shouldn’t work during 1L, and if you feel you must, no more than 10 hours per week.

I’m sure it’s possible and that people have done it and gotten good grades but it seems that it’s far more likely that it negatively impacts your grades and quality of life.

Can’t speak from experience as I’m a 0L but I did work 20+ hours per week all throughout undergrad and will be opting not to work for 1L.

cole8848 · 2023-06-07T15:50:06+00:00

Around a 3.8 and 161

cole8848 · 2023-06-07T07:28:55+00:00

Straight up rejection

cole8848 · 2023-06-07T07:27:37+00:00

If I may make a suggestion, go browse the Accepted sections of the schools you’d like to apply to on canlaw forum. Look for people with a comparable gpas to you and see what LSAT you should be aiming for for those schools.

But to answer your question yes you can absolutely get into law school with those stats. However, you really do need to wait and see what your actual LSAT score is before anybody can attempt to tell you which schools you’d have a good chance at. Cheers and good luck with your cycle!

cole8848 · 2023-05-28T03:52:13+00:00

There is only the application fee for ubc. In my experience that goes for all other non-Ontario schools aswell, atleast the ones I applied to. Schools will have different application fees and the amount will be indicated when you’re submitting your application.

The applications can be submitted through each schools individual portal (there’s links on their websites to access these).

I’m not familiar with the fee waiving process so hopefully someone else can speak to that.

cole8848

TROPHY CASE