Faculty of Law
Queen's University-
Prospective JD Students
- Welcome from the Dean
- Why Choose Queen's Law?
- 2013 Admission Cycle
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Admission Contacts
- Admission Information
- Applicant Forms
- JD Program
- Combined JD Programs
Quick Links
First Year Admission Categories
There are three major categories of admission into first year: the General Category, the Aboriginal Category and the Access Category. The first-year class consists of about 160 students. Most students are admitted in the General Category. Recently, about 15% of students admitted to the first-year class have been from the Aboriginal and Access categories.
General Category
The applicant’s academic record and LSAT score are weighed most heavily in this category. In making distinctions between applicants who are equally competitive on these bases, the other criteria set forth in the Admissions Philosophy are weighed carefully. Competitive applicants will have at least an “A-” average (80–84 percent, GPA 3.7) in the last two years of their undergraduate degree program. Applicants who have not completed a university degree must have completed at least three full-time years of undergraduate degree program work at a recognized institution by the time of registration in September 2012. Applicants in the General category with a cumulative undergraduate average of less than a “B+” (77–79 percent, CGPA 3.30) and an LSAT score of less than 157 (72nd percentile) are not competitive for admission. An applicant who meets the minimum criteria for admission is eligible for consideration but is not guaranteed admission.
Aboriginal Category
Applications will be considered based on the applicant’s interest in and identification with his or her Aboriginal community as well as other factors including academic performance, results of the LSAT, employment history, letters of reference and a personal statement. This material will form the basis upon which the Admissions Committee will judge whether or not the applicant will be able to undertake the JD degree program successfully. Applicants should have completed successfully at least three years of postsecondary education at a recognized institution. To satisfy the basis of admission to any advanced-entry professional or graduate degree program at Queen’s University, it is expected that previous academic credentials will be from an institution providing an academic environment and education that prepares students for potential success in advanced study. If there is strong evidence of academic ability in the application, an exception might be made to the standard requirement of three years of full-time academic work at a recognized institution. An applicant who meets the minimum standards is eligible for consideration but is not guaranteed admission. The personal statement submitted in support of the application should explain the applicant’s interest in and identification with his or her Aboriginal community. A copy of the applicant’s status card can be submitted to establish the applicant’s identification with and connection to an Aboriginal community. Alternatively, a non-academic letter of reference should be provided to corroborate the basis of the claim to Aboriginal status. In addition, applicants are required to provide an academic letter of reference.
The Native Law Centre
Program of Legal Studies for Native People
University of Saskatchewan
Room 160 Law Building
15 Campus Drive
Saskatoon SK S7N 5A6
Telephone: 306-966-6189
Fax: 306-966-6207
Access Category
Queen’s Faculty of Law is committed to enhancing diversity in legal education and the legal profession. To this end, the Faculty encourages applications from candidates whose applications may not be competitive in the General category due to such barriers, but whose backgrounds, qualities or experiences would allow them to make unique contributions to the law school community, the legal profession and society in general. The Admissions Committee will consider an applicant’s disability, educational and financial disadvantage, membership in a historically disadvantaged group, age, life experience or any other factor relating either to educational barriers faced by the applicant, or to the ability of the applicant to enrich the diversity of the law school community and the legal profession. Applicants must supply documentation supporting their claims in this regard.
Applicants in the Access category must demonstrate that they have strong potential to complete the JD program. Traditional measures of academic performance and LSAT scores may be given comparatively less weight in this category, while non-academic experience and personal factors confirming the applicant’s special circumstances or unique qualities may be given comparatively more weight. Applicants must demonstrate that they have the ability to reason and analyze, to express themselves effectively orally and in writing, and that they possess the skills and attributes necessary to cope with the demands of law school. For some applicants, the extent and quality of their work or life experience may be a better indicator of their suitability and capacity for success in law school, than their academic achievement.
Applications in the Access category are encouraged, but applicants are cautioned that a cumulative undergraduate average of less than a B (70 to 74 percent) and an LSAT score of less than 151 (50th percentile) are normally not competitive for admission. See the profile of the first year JD class at http://law.queensu.ca/prospectiveStudents/admissionInformation/firstYearClassProfile.html.