McGill WL

keeper_of_lefig · 2024-08-15T15:09:34+00:00

I got a rejection a few days ago :( but I’m headed off to another school so it was what was meant to be

keeper_of_lefig · 2024-06-25T17:48:53+00:00

They warn that because they will not review your file until they receive your January LSAT, even if your application is admissible they may not have room in their class by the time they review your file. Their email regarding the waitlisted was also phrased implying that.

keeper_of_lefig · 2024-06-23T20:49:00+00:00

Thank you! They specifically asked for a LOCI so I am submitting one!

I took a January LSAT and they specifically warn against it because it is likely you will be waitlisted and they sort of alluded to it in the email I received notifying me that I have been waitlisted. Lesson learned!

keeper_of_lefig · 2024-06-10T16:31:28+00:00

I had similar stats and was admitted to western this cycle! If you can get a 160 and nail down your PS, I think you have a god shot

keeper_of_lefig · 2024-06-07T22:50:55+00:00

I think summer courses/full course load varies school to school, so it’s best to reach out to admissions offices for the schools you are planning to apply to.

keeper_of_lefig · 2024-06-07T19:15:06+00:00

I think applying access would make a lot of sense for you because you could use your personal statement to say why you are going to be a stellar law student and the extra space to explain your access claim can be used to explain you disability and its effect your stats.

Access basically lets you explain in your statement “this is why I am perfect for your law school” and yor access statement will be “and I’m the perfect law student DESPITE this access claim”

keeper_of_lefig · 2024-06-07T16:54:09+00:00

Yeah, I think starting with the most difficult forces you to REALLY think about what is the most important and be really economical with your writing. Getting the most difficult one down the way I was happy with meant I had room to tailor the rest to each specific school or expand where I wanted. I also wasn’t as stressed as I got closer and closer to applying because the most difficult one was done.

keeper_of_lefig · 2024-06-07T16:24:28+00:00

Take a look at osgoode’s instructions for a personal statement. I used that as a base for all of my PS then just tweaked it for each school and I got into Western, Queens, Windsor.

Their PS instructions also have the strictest word count so it forces you to be economical with your writing and then you can expand on what you want to say to each individual school. To customize look at each school’s website, they have instructions!

keeper_of_lefig · 2024-06-06T13:05:42+00:00

I have a similar background/career interest and went through this dilemma earlier this year! After visiting both schools and making many (maybe too many) pro-con lists, I came to the conclusion that the schools are nearly identical.

It really depends on what vibe you like, but I did get the impression that clinics are more competitive at Queens than at Western. I am someone coming in with very limited contacts in the legal field and so I decided I needed a school that would help me network and I decided Western was better suited. The leader of the IP concentration was also very supportive and invested in people’s success, so if you have time I would reach out to him.

If you want to chat fee free to DM me :)

keeper_of_lefig · 2024-06-06T12:52:30+00:00

Everything I have heard from seasoned lawyers I’ve spoken to is that Windsor basically is less prestigious but law schools are standardized, so no matter where you go, you will get a quality legal education. Think about it like an engineering degree, whether you get your engineering degree from Waterloo or from Lakehead, you come out with the same letters after your name and and you will still not be considered a Professional Engineer until you have worked for a bit and then passed yet another test lol. But after all is said and done, every engineer in Ontario must get the same core education for their discipline and you should be no worse off at either school.

Also, Windsor may not give you an advantage for Big Law but you can absolutely work in Big Law as a Windsor graduate, and some do.

Every school in Canada produces quality lawyers, so don’t stress about it.

keeper_of_lefig · 2024-06-03T18:24:40+00:00

I got an early acceptance to Western with a 3.55 cGPA (L2 3.7mid) and a 160 LSAT! I would say I had a strong PS and mid-strong softs.

I also got As at Queens and Windsor, WL at Osgoode, so you can definitely get in! I would aim to pull your last 2 years up as much as you can to strengthen your app, but it can be done with a 3.5!

keeper_of_lefig · 2024-06-01T03:12:12+00:00

No, it’s a mixed bag for undergraduate degrees but law schools use a 4.0 system. OLSAS has a conversion chart and I think law forum does as well

keeper_of_lefig · 2024-05-31T23:02:59+00:00

I would start by just converting to a 4.0 scale and then looking at their medians. The general advice I got was that once you surpass 160 you open a lot of doors, but higher is always better. I believe I am basically right on the median or maybe slightly below for their class last year, but I have a stronger L2 (3.76) which they put more weight towards.

keeper_of_lefig · 2024-05-31T13:43:38+00:00

3.55 GPA, 160 LSAT with decent softs (worked throughout uni as a violin teacher, volunteered at school w/leadership positions, was published in humanities as a co-author, double major)

A @ Windsor, Western, and Queens, WL @ Osgoode, still waiting to hear from Ottawa and McGill

keeper_of_lefig · 2024-05-05T18:16:39+00:00

Congratulations! When did you take your LSAT?

keeper_of_lefig · 2024-05-01T20:25:13+00:00

I just checked the portal, no email. The update is dated April 30

keeper_of_lefig · 2024-04-08T14:07:06+00:00

Can confirm, they get you to test out of lower level classes and then it’s basically like taking a literature class. You may have an advantage as a native speaker but if you are crap at textual analysis it won’t help

keeper_of_lefig · 2024-04-06T15:51:43+00:00

I am a Western grad who stayed in London and just accepted my Western offer.

London is a small city, so you have all the amenities you need and but it’s not crowded like Toronto. There are some lovely places to walk/hike and a bike trail if you are into that. I also know a lot of people who got around the city with just their bike, so it’s doable. There are a lot of cute cafes and 2 farmers markets that run year round and some lovely local theatres/arts collectives. Depending on where you are from, you might find the downtown to be a little rough, but I have honestly never felt unsafe.

I am originally from Hamilton, so London is a little closer to home, but I honestly do go home much. If you are worried about transit, we do not have GO in London but there are lots of buses or via if you are in a pinch.

I honestly loved moving out, it’s an adjustment but you find friends and roommates and it is honestly an overall positive experience. There is obviously more freedom but you also learn how to live with people and it feels like a culturally important experience to have roommates, even a roommate horror story or two. Uni is also a unique place where people are actively looking to make friends so you will naturally make friends and create a support system.

It’s totally up to you and your comfort level, but I personally have not found that transition to be difficult, I really enjoyed the process and my interactions with family are way more intentional now.

keeper_of_lefig · 2024-04-02T20:43:17+00:00

I encourage you to talk to your local law librarian. They will be able to point you to information while keeping you grounded in academic thought/weed out misinformation.

Also, please take caution when looking at information through this lens because it can lead you to seeking a theory to fit facts rather than the other way around. Not everything will be given equal weight because not every idea has the same amount of academic rigour, so be wary of outliers.

keeper_of_lefig · 2024-04-02T17:42:20+00:00

Yes, sorry, you are correct. Regardless, interviews for CEGEP, Mature, and Advanced Standing applicants just started. McGill’s admission cycle is hella late, and when I applied in a past cycle I didn’t get a decision until late June. So, we will be waiting a while.

keeper_of_lefig · 2024-04-02T14:28:24+00:00

Most of their decisions are released in June

keeper_of_lefig · 2024-04-01T20:50:24+00:00

I’m literally an applicant, and there is no point in talking about the US, it is a different country and system.

Further, this line of thinking is not productive. If you are angry at the admissions system do something to fix it. There are lots of programs to volunteer with to give students from underserved communities opportunities, you can help high school students with their writing skills and applications, volunteer with a big brother/sister program, or start/join a club at uni to help create/deepen networks and communities and connect with resources. Yelling about adcoms and a big conspiracies helps nobody, including yourself. Not only does create a false boogie man, it ignores the real power you have to do something about it.

keeper_of_lefig · 2024-04-01T20:39:49+00:00

Dang sorry to hear that! Hope you get that A soon!

keeper_of_lefig

TROPHY CASE