Applying

to

Law School

for

2012?

Thursday, October 6th 2011 Somali Centre for Family Services, 1719 Bank Street, Suite 200 Workshop Facilitator: Louisa Garib, MA, LLB, LLM, of the Ontario Bar

Goals of this Workshop 1) Answer your practical questions about

applying to Law School for 2012 entrance 2) Focus on Applying in Ontario and Canada 3) Provide Advice on putting your strongest

application together: Personal Statement, References

4) LSAT: What is it? Deadlines? How to prepare?

5) Answer any other questions you may have

Applying to Law School: Keep in Mind • You are applying to a Professional School

• Will take significant time, energy, thought and planning

• Deadlines are firm

• Expectation that your application is complete, responds to requirements, administratively and substantively (content)

• Competitive – most applicants are like you

• Total Min Cost about $1100 : Ontario Law School application fees, transcripts, LSAT exam fee

Applying to Law School: Keep in Mind • Make it a top priority* • You are responsible and control your application • Be organized and systematic • Make a checklist • Prepare far in advance; revise; work together • It is your “first argument” – Why should the

admissions committee let you into their law school? Possibly to the profession?

• You can do it. Preparation always shows.

Important Dates for 2012 Start • November 1, 2011 – Deadline for ALL ONT

applications and some out of province. Transcripts and reference forms are also due at this time. LSATS are submitted later.

• October 31, 2011 – LSAT Registration Deadline if you want to write the December 3, 2011 test

• January 10, 2012 – LSAT Registration Deadline if you want to write the February 11, 2012 test

• June 30, 2012 – Deadline for receipt of FINAL transcripts if you are still in school.

CONFIRM THESE DATES

First Steps • Research Your Law School Options in ONT

and rest of CAN. • Go to their websites, and blogs, etc. • If you can, talk to people who actually

attend those schools - for law • Don’t believe in urban legends, rumours -

you are going to be lawyers – rely on facts • Currently 18 law schools in Canada

6 Law Schools in Ontario

• Osgoode Hall Law School (@ York University)

• University of Ottawa

• Queen’s University (Kingston, ON)

• University of Toronto

• The University of Western Ontario

• University of Windsor

Applying to Ontario Law Schools: You Need to Know:

• How/Where do I apply?

• What do I need to complete my application(s)?

• When is the deadline?

Ontario Law Schools • How/Where do I apply?

– OLSAS Online: http://www.ouac.on.ca/olsas/

• What do I need to complete my OLSAS application(s)? *Note School Differences

– Online form, personal statement, references, reference forms, LSAT score, undergraduate transcripts

• When is the deadline?

– November 1st 2011 for 2012 Admission to Law School

Ontario Law School Application Service (OLSAS)

• OLSAS co-ordinates the application process for all 6 Ontario Law Schools

• Centralized Application Process…BUT • **Requirements are NOT IDENTICAL FOR ALL

SCHOOLS** Some less, some more • Online: http://www.ouac.on.ca/olsas/ • Apply to all or as many Ontario law schools as

you choose in one spot Open Your OLSAS Account ASAP - Now

OLSAS only Processes – Doesn’t Decide

• Each law school makes their own admission decisions – not OLSAS

• OLSAS simply co-ordinates the application processing service for easier, one “stop shopping” application process

• OSLAS is a not-for- profit organization

http://www.ouac.on.ca/docs/olsas/b_olsas_e.pdf

12 Law Schools Rest of Canada

• Akitsiraq Law School (Nunavut, connection to Nunavut) • University of Alberta Faculty of Law (Edmonton, AB) • University of Calgary Faculty of Law • University of British Columbia Faculty of Law (Vancouver, BC) • Dalhousie University Faculty of Law (Halifax, NS) • University of Manitoba Faculty of Law (Winnipeg, MB) • McGill University Faculty of Law (Montreal, QC) • Université de Montréal Faculté de droit • University of New Brunswick Faculty of Law (Fredericton, NB) • University of Saskatchewan College of Law (Saskatoon) • Université de Sherbrooke Faculté de droit (QC) • University of Victoria Faculty of Law (BC)

12 Law Schools Outside of Ontario • Apply individually – OLSAS not involved

• Each have own deadlines – find out

• Some November 1st 2011 for 2012 admission, same as Ontario Law Schools

• Others will have different deadlines, different processes & requirements

• Make a chart or list to keep track

Where Should I Apply?

• What attracts you to a given school? Why?

• Write it down – keep it really simple at first

• Keep an open mind

• Apply widely – you only need one yes!

• Advice: Apply to All Ontario Schools and as many out of province schools as you can afford (More on Fees later…)

Keep in Mind • All CAN Law Schools are generally good – each

has own strengths – up to you make the most • All are accredited by the provincial Law

Societies who are the gatekeepers of the profession – they ultimately decide who is admitted to the bar to practice law

• CAN School more equal across the board • US Schools – 200+ ABA or State approved;

tiered and ranked, not all are accredited; online; state vs. private

OLSAS Application Fees • $195 base fee plus a law school application

service fee of $90 for each law school you choose.

• Fee collected by OLSAS & sent to law schools • To offset admission costs. • Non-refundable • OLSAS won’t forward your application to the

law school until full payment received • Credit card, cheque or money order, and

online or telephone banking, etc.

Total OLSAS Application Fee Schedule

2011 • One school - $285

• Two schools - $375

• Three schools - $465

• Four schools - $555

• Five schools - $645

• All Six schools - $735

OLSAS Fee Waivers

• Apply for fee waiver on a school-by-school basis

• Pre-arranged with individual law school before submit complete application

• Each school has own fee waiver process – check websites

Other Costs: Transcripts

• Each university transcript request costs about $10 (so $60 for all Ontario Law Schools)

• Transcripts can take a several days to a few weeks to arrive – ORDER THEM ASAP/REQUEST ONLINE OLSAS

• Mailing/courier fee for application and/or reference letters – avoid by doing it early and online

Law School Admission Test (LSAT) at http://www.lsac.org

• The LSAT is a test administered by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) in order to evaluate logical and reasoning skills of law school candidates under a time constraint.

• Mandatory for admission into all Ontario Law Schools – some emphasise more than others

• It is administered four times a year in June, October, December and February

LSAT Registration Dates for 2012 – Only Two Dates Left

• Sat. December 3, 2011 test date

• Must register by Oct 31, 2011

• Late Registration until Nov 11, 2011 (additional $ Late Fee)

• Sat. February 11, 2012 test date

• Must register by Jan 10, 2012

• Late Registration until Jan 20, 2012 (additional $ Late Fee)

“Nearest” LSAT Test Locations • U of O, Cornwall, Kingston, Montreal

• Spots fill up fast – late fees as a penalty (later)

• Don’t get trapped driving hours/day to the next “closest” testing centre (e.g. Hamilton, St. Catharine's)

• Know where you are going; get a map; arrive early and relaxed; sleep; eat; if you have prepared, you will be less prone to panic

• Have your photo ID and all necessary info

Law School Admission Test (LSAT)

• The LSAT has 6 sections (Five 35-minute multiple choice sections and a 35-minute writing sample).

• Actual testing time is approximately 3.5 hours long, with breaks it will take about 4 hours or more.

• See this site for an overview of the test

Registering for LSAT

• Register online for the LSAT by creating an LSAT student account online as a “Future JD student”

• select a test time, nearest available test center

• pay for the exam fees with credit card

• Register as soon as possible.

Approximate LSAT Fees

• LSAT Registration: $144 .00

• Late Registration: $71.00

• Test Centre Change: $36.00

• Test Date Change: $71.00

Prepping for the LSAT

• You can prepare for free online

• Can Buy a book with CD – lots available

• Prep course? $$$$$, Short, longer

• Take sample exams: first time don’t time yourself – but make sure you finish the exam

• ID your weak spots then practice, practice, practice; key is to be familiar with the problems/questions

• Test each other by simulating test conditions

Prepping for the LSAT • Average score needed 161 (80 percentile or

higher) • Can write twice – but usually two scores do

not greatly differ • Worth it if you really did not do well first time • Some schools average scores; weight depends • Irony: Once you are in – no one cares about

your LSAT • Prepare for it; write it; forget about it

Personal Statement – Think… How you will answer the following

questions?

• Why do you want to study Law?

• Why do you want to become a lawyer?

• Why do you want to go to the particular law school that you are applying to?

• What will you contribute to the law school?

• What will you contribute to the Profession?

Personal Statement DO’s Prepare an outline first – then start drafting Be straightforward – Shakespeare NO – Well- written, YES Be sincere: Do NOT plagiarize – the committees have seen them all Revise your drafts – Proofread! Proofread! Proofread! Give it to a trusted, capable friend to review Offer to return the favour

Personal Statement • Not all schools require Statements - make sure

you know which ones do and focus on them

• Do not write it the night before or 2 nights before - START ASAP

• Tailor your statement to the school – what parts of your background and interests speak to what the school has to offer or is about? What can you contribute to the profession, future clients? (e.g. perspective, first hand experience, knowledge, training, expertise?)

References – Who do you ask? • Someone who knows you well

• Someone who can speak to your academic & intellectual abilities/work skills/and character

• Someone who you can trust

• Someone who is able to write a strong reference

• 2 Profs in upper year courses where you did well and made a positive impression

• Current or recent Employer OR

• Volunteer activities context; speak to your leadership qualities

References • A reference is not a mere ‘favour’ – it is someone

putting their name and reputation behind you

• Give them enough time

• Make it easy for them: give them all the information in a clear, concise manner; What? When? Where?

• Give them your “ideal” deadline two weeks before the “real” deadline (do tell them the real one!)

• Follow-up to confirm if sent – can check online with OLSAS – gentle reminder

• Thank-them - and let them know when you get in!

How to Apply via OLSAS for ONT Schools and to Other schools in Canada

• Step 1: Register for LSAT & Research Your Law School Options in ONT and Canada

• Check out law schools online • Review the entire OLSAS Instruction Booklet (PDF) • Familiarize yourself with the components

necessary for your application by reviewing the Application Components section.

• Step 2: Create a 2012 OLSAS account. • Step 3: Prepare and submit your application by the

deadline: OLSAS - November 1, 2011; other deadlines for out of province schools

Some Final Thoughts • Prioritize your application and LSAT

• Organize yourself and Start ASAP

• Apply widely – be positive, try your best

• Work at it each day – prepare and practice

• Support each other

• Don’t be afraid of rejection - Keep trying

• You have something to contribute

• You can do it

• Pay it forward