Application Procedures for Undergraduate Programs (Law)
Law at ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ is a limited enrollment program. Apply as early as possible and ensure that we have received all required supporting documents on or before the appropriate deadline. Files are reviewed only once complete.
Online application
Online application
Candidates must apply to the B.C.L./LL.B. program online, unless they are unable to pay the application fee by credit card. The is available as of September 1. In order to avoid unnecessary processing delays, please read the application instructions carefully. Please undergradadmissions.law [at] mcgill.ca (email) the Undergraduate ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ Office at the Faculty of Law if you are unable to apply online.
Once you have applied, an acknowledgement notice will be sent by email and/or by mail to the address you provide in your application. If you do not provide an email address, your acknowledgement notice will be sent by regular mail within one week of our receipt of your application. If you do not receive an acknowledgment notice within a reasonable period of time (two weeks for applicants within Canada), or if you do not have access to the Web, contact the ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ Office at the Faculty of Law (514-398-6602 or undergradadmissions.law [at] mcgill.ca (email)).
Verifying the status of your application via Minerva
Verifying the status of your application via Minerva
Your acknowledgment notice will provide you with your ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ Identification (ID), and a password that you will need to log in to the Minerva website.
You are responsible for monitoring the status of your application on Minerva. When verifying the status of your application, an indication of "Items outstanding" means that your application is incomplete. If your application remains incomplete after the deadline for submission of supporting documents, your application will be cancelled without notice. An indication of "Ready for review" means that your file is complete and/or under review by the ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ Committee .
During peak periods (i.e., close to the deadlines), the ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ Office receives a high volume of documents and there may be a delay of up to 48 hours between the receipt of a document and the date on which it is recorded in our information system and verifiable by you on Minerva. Please take this delay into consideration in your communications with the Undergraduate ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ Office.
Review of Applications by ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ Committee
Review of Applications by ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ Committee
Once an application is complete, it is reviewed by the ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ Committee. Without exception, every application to the ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ Program is reviewed by at least one member of the ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ Committee; the majority of applications are reviewed by two or three members. Committee members carefully review all documents submitted and evaluate the candidacy according to the Faculty's ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ Policy, and in comparison to all other candidates in the applicant pool.
Decisions on Applications
Decisions on Applications
The official decision of the ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ Committee of the Faculty of Law is contained in a letter from the Assistant Dean (External Affairs) that is mailed to the candidate. Decisions of the ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ Committee are also available to candidates on Minerva. Decisions on individual applications cannot and will not be disclosed over the phone or by email.
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Application Fee
Application Fee
A non-refundable application fee of $60 for CEGEP applicants and $85 for all other applicants is required to apply to the B.C.L./LL.B. program. A credit card (Visa, MasterCard or American Express only) is required to complete the online application form. If you cannot pay by credit card, please contact the ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ Office at the Faculty of Law. The Faculty may issue a fee waiver to a student demonstrating significant financial need.
Categories of Applicants
Categories of Applicants
Applicants to First Year (September entrance only)
Applicants to Upper Year (September entrance only)
Applicants to Upper Year (September or January entrance)
- Visiting Students (Letters of Permission)
- Incoming Exchange Students
- Chambre des notaires & Comité des équivalences
- Special Students
University Applicants
University Applicants
A University Applicant to ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ's Faculty of Law must have completed a minimum of two years of full-time university studies (60 credits), at the time of registration. This category includes applicants who, at time of registration, will have completed more than one year of university studies in addition to a Diploma of Collegial Studies (D.C.S.).
Please note that, while candidates who have completed 60 credits are eligible to apply to the B.C.L./LL.B. program, the strength of the university applicant pool is such that the Faculty rarely admits candidates who will not have completed an undergraduate degree at the time of registration.
Mature Applicants
Mature Applicants
A mature applicant is defined as an individual who is over 30 years of age at the time of registration and/or who has interrupted his or her formal education for a minimum of five years. Applicants who qualify as mature must apply in this category. There is no predetermined number of mature candidates admitted in a given year. A mature applicant is normally expected to have completed CEGEP or two years (60 credites) of university studies. Mature applicants who are regarded as potentially admissible following a review of their file are required to attend an interview.
Mature candidates who will have graduated with a Diploma of Collegial Studies (D.C.S.) from a CEGEP during the same calendar year as that of registration, must apply under the CEGEP category.
In addition to all official post-secondary transcripts, mature applicants are required to submit a detailed resumé of their non-academic experience along with letters of assessment from persons who are familiar with their academic potential. The candidate should seek to demonstrate his or her ability to meet the demands of law studies, to reason and analyze, and to express him- or herself well both orally and in writing.
CEGEP and Quebec French Baccalaureate Applicants
CEGEP and Quebec French Baccalaureate Applicants
Candidates may apply on the basis of a Diploma of Collegial Studies (D.C.S.) from a CEGEP, or a Quebec French Baccalaureate (Q.F.B.). This category includes candidates who will have completed up to one year of university studies in addition to the D.C.S. or Q.F.B. at the time of registration, and mature candidates who will have graduated with a D.C.S. from a CEGEP or Q.F.B. during the same calendar year as that of registration.
Candidates who will have completed a French Baccalaureate or an International Baccalaureate Diploma outside the province of Quebec, must have completed a minimum of two years of full-time university studies (60 credits), at the time of registration, to be eligible to apply to our program.
Advanced Standing Students
Advanced Standing Students
Applicants who hold a law degree from a Canadian or foreign university recognized by ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ must apply for admission to the B.C.L./LL.B. program under the Advanced Standing category, unless applying under the Comité des équivalences category (see Comité des équivalences). There are a limited number of places available for Advanced Standing applicants. Applications are evaluated using the same criteria as applications to the first year of the B.C.L./LL.B. program, with particular attention to performance in law studies.
Successful applicants must complete a minimum of 75 credits at ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ and undertake the integrated B.C.L./LL.B. program. It is not possible to obtain either the B.C.L. or the LL.B. degree on its own. The Associate Dean (Academic) determines equivalences for previous studies.
Transfer Students
Transfer Students
Students who have successfully completed at least one full year of studies in an undergraduate program at another Canadian law faculty may apply for admission as a Transfer Student. There are a limited number of places available for Transfer Students. Transfer applications are evaluated according to the criteria for admission to the first year of the B.C.L./LL.B. program. Particular attention is paid to performance in law studies and reasons for requesting a transfer.
Successful Transfer applicants must complete a minimum of 75 credits at ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ. The Associate Dean (Academic) determines credit for previous studies. In most cases, Transfer Students will be required to take the transsystemic first-year courses – Contractual Obligations and Extra-Contractual Obligations/Torts – in order to meet ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ’s degree requirements. Candidates will not receive credit for courses in obligations, contract or tort taken during a first year completed at another faculty.
- Transfer students should forward official transcripts of Winter term results as soon as they become available. Transfer applications cannot be evaluated without these results.
- Candidates who have completed a certificate in law are not eligible to apply under the Transfer category, but must apply to the degree program.
- Students who are not in good standing or who have been required to withdraw at the end of their first year at another Canadian law faculty are not eligible to transfer to ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ.
Comité des équivalences
Comité des équivalences
The Faculty accepts applications from candidates who hold a law degree from a Canadian or foreign university and who are seeking to fulfil the requirements of the Comité des équivalences of the Barreau du Québec or of the Chambre des notaires, in order to practice in Quebec. Successful applicants must have the final decision of the Comité des équivalences or the Chambre des notaires in hand at the time of registration.
- This is a non-degree program: students wishing to obtain the B.C.L./LL.B. degrees should apply under the Advanced Standing Students category.
- The Faculty does not consider candidates applying to fulfill the requirements of the National Committee on Accreditation.
- Courses taken by Comité des équivalences / Chambre des notaires Students cannot be credited toward a ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ law degree.
Visiting Students (Letters of Permission)
Visiting Students (Letters of Permission)
Students who have completed two years of studies at another law faculty who wish, for academic or personal reasons, to spend a term or a year at ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ may be admitted as a Visiting Student. In order to be admitted as a Visiting Student, a candidate should have completed at least two years of study at another law school and obtained a letter of permission from their home university. The Faculty endeavours to accommodate qualified students who are in good standing in their own faculties, where student numbers at ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ permit.
Students from other law faculties who would like to attend ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ as a Visiting Student must apply through the ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ Office. The Assistant Dean (Student Life and Learning) makes decisions on these applications. Accepted students must arrange their academic program with the Associate Dean (Academic). Courses taken by Visiting Students cannot be credited toward a ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ law degree.
Incoming Exchange Students
Incoming Exchange Students
Students registered in degree programs in law at universities that have an official exchange agreement with ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ or with the Faculty of Law may apply as Exchange Students. In addition, ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ participates in a number of exchange programs through CREPUQ (la Conférence des Recteurs et Principaux des Universités du Québec). ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ's exchange partners are listed on ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ's website.
Students participating in an exchange must fill out the on-line application form. There is no application fee for these candidates.
Exchange Students are selected and officially nominated by their home universities. Please note that home university internal application deadlines may vary. ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ considers applicants on an individual basis; the minimum entrance requirement is generally a cumulative B average or its equivalent. Decisions on applications for exchange are made by the Assistant Dean (Student Life and Learning). Admission decisions on exchange applications are final; there is no appeal process.
The Faculty has a limited number of places for Exchange Students, and entrance into courses which have enrolment limits or require the permission of the instructor is not guaranteed.
Special Students
Special Students
The Faculty will exceptionally permit a limited number of candidates not actively pursuing a law degree to apply as Special Students. Students registered in other universities, and candidates not actively pursuing a university degree, may apply to take certain courses within the Faculty.
Special Student status will be granted to applicants who provide compelling academic or professional reasons for taking law courses and who successfully demonstrate the capacity to undertake the requirements of the requested course(s). Status will be granted only where sufficient course space is available.
Special Students are limited to a maximum of 6 credits per term, and to 12 credits in total.
Important information about this category:
- ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ students registered in a faculty other than law, who, for exceptional reasons related to their program of study, wish to enroll in a Faculty of Law course, must obtain the permission of the Associate Dean (Academic) and the course instructor. Such students need not fill out the online application. The "Application to register in law courses for ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ Students" is available on the Law Student Affairs Office website.
- Courses taken by Special Students will not be credited toward a ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ law degree.
- Students wishing to obtain a ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ law degree and students recently refused admission to a degree program in the Faculty of Law will not be admitted as Special Students.
- The Faculty does not consider Special Student applications from candidates seeking to fulfill the requirements of the National Committee on Accreditation.
Application Deadlines for Law Undergraduate Programs
Application Deadlines for Law Undergraduate Programs
The on-line application is available at the beginning of September. The applicant is responsible for ensuring that all supporting documents are postmarked or delivered on or before the deadlines listed below.
Incomplete applications will not be circulated to the ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ Committee.
Please refer to Categories of Applicants in order to determine which deadline applies to you.
Applicants to First Year (Fall 2010) Application | Application Deadlines | Supporting Document Deadlines |
---|---|---|
University | November 30, 2009 | November 30, 2009 |
Mature | November 30, 2009 | November 30, 2009 |
CEGEP/Baccalaureate | March 1, 2010 | March 12, 2010 |
Applicants to Upper Years | Application Deadlines | Supporting Document Deadlines |
---|---|---|
Advanced Standing (Fall 2010) | November 30, 2009 | January 15, 2010 |
Transfer (Fall 2010) | May 1, 2010 | June 1, 2010 |
Comité des équivalences (Fall 2010 entrance) | May 1, 2010 | September 1, 2010 |
Chambre des notaires (Fall 2010 entrance) | May 1, 2010 | September 1, 2010 |
Special (Fall 2010 entrance) | August 1, 2010 | September 1, 2010 |
Visiting (Fall 2010 and/or Winter 2011) | May 1, 2010 | June 1, 2010 |
Incoming Exchange (Fall 2010 and/or Winter 2011) | May 1, 2010 | June 1, 2010 |
Comité des équivalences (Winter 2010 entrance) | October 1, 2009 | January 4, 2010 |
Chambre des notaires (Winter 2010 entrance) | October 1, 2009 | January 4, 2010 |
Special (Winter 2010 entrance) | December 1, 2009 | January 4, 2010 |
Application Supporting Documents
Application Supporting Documents
Supporting documents required for all categories of applicants (unless otherwise indicated):
- Official Transcripts
- Personal Statement
- ¸éé²õ³Ü³¾Ã©
- Letters of Reference
- Letter of permission (Visiting students only)
- Final decision from the Comité des équivalences of the Barreau du Québec (Comité des équivalences applicants only)
- Final decision from the Chambre des notaires (Chambre des notaires applicants only)
The Law ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ Office will obtain LSAT results directly from the Law School Admission Services for those candidates who have taken, or plan to take, the LSAT (not required for Incoming Exchange students).
After completing the online application, candidates must ensure that ALL required supporting documents are mailed directly to the Law ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ Office. Documents must be postmarked or delivered on or before the dates listed in Application Deadlines for Law Undergraduate Programs. Documents sent by email or fax will not be accepted.
Address for supporting documents submitted by mail, courrier, or in person:
- Undergraduate ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ Office
- ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ
- 3644 Peel Street
- Room 418, New Chancellor Day Hall
- Montreal, Quebec H3A 1W9
During peak periods (i.e., close to deadlines), the volume of document intake is extremely high and there may be a delay of up to 48 hours between the receipt of a document and the date on which it is recorded in our information system. If you have questions regarding the receipt of materials, please consider this delay before contacting the Law ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ Office.
Inquiries about supporting documents should be directed to:
- Telephone: 514-398-6602
- Fax: 514-398-8453
- Email: undergradadmissions.law [at] mcgill.ca" target="_blank">undergradadmissions.law [at] mcgill.ca
- Website: www.mcgill.ca/law-admissions
All documents submitted to ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ in support of an application to be admitted, including, but not limited to transcripts, letters of reference and test scores, become the property of ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ and will not be returned to the applicant or forwarded to another institution under any circumstance.
Official Transcripts
Official Transcripts
Applicants must submit a complete academic record, including official transcripts or certified true copies of results from all previous university studies. Only one official copy of each relevant transcript is necessary for the review of a file. Applicants must either arrange for transcripts to be sent directly to the Faculty of Law ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ Office, or submit official transcripts in an envelope sealed by the Office of the Registrar of the issuing institution. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all required transcripts and documents are submitted as early as possible.
- ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ Transcripts: Applicants need not submit official transcripts of studies to ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ. The ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ Office obtains these results directly from ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ's Enrolment Services. Applicants who participated in an exchange during their program at ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ must submit an official transcript or a certified true copy of their results.
- Exchange studies transcripts: Applicants must submit official transcripts or certified true copies of results for studies carried out while on exchange, unless the marks as well as the credits obtained are already included on transcripts issued by their home university.
- Transcripts not in French or English: Transcripts in a language other than English or French must be accompanied by an English or French translation provided either by the school issuing the transcript or by a certified translator.
- Permanent Code: Applicants who are currently, or have been, enrolled in a CEGEP must provide their Permanent Code. ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ will obtain an official CEGEP transcript electronically from the Ministère de l'Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport. The processing of applications for applicants who are currently, or have been, enrolled at a CEGEP will not take place until a valid Permanent Code is provided.
- Quebec French Baccalaureate: Applicants in Quebec French baccalaureate programmes must submit official transcripts.
- Winter term transcripts for Transfer students: Transfer students should forward the official transcript of their winter-term results as soon as they become available. Transfer applications cannot be evaluated without these results.
- Transcripts will not be returned: Transcripts sent to ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ become the property of the University and will not be returned or forwarded to other institutions.
- Law School Data Assembly Service: The Faculty of Law at ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ does not receive transcripts through the Law School Data Assembly Service.
Personal Statement
Personal Statement
Applicants must submit a brief essay (maximum two pages, in English or French) explaining their motivation for law studies, their interest in the ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ B.C.L./LL.B. program in particular, and how they might contribute to the life of the Faculty.
The personal statement enables Committee members to develop a fuller understanding of each candidate and her or his suitability for the B.C.L./LL.B. program, as well as evaluate the quality and clarity of her or his written expression. This original piece of writing allows the Committee to appraise an applicant's intellectual curiosity, social commitment, political insight, leadership skills, ability to work in teams, maturity and potential for growth through opportunity or adversity.
Candidates are invited to discuss any information about themselves that might assist the Committee in this appraisal. For example, applicants may want to describe their experience as a member of a minority group, or factors that may have made access to a university education difficult. Mature applicants may wish to connect a legal education with their trajectory until now or, if there isn't a connection, to explain the motivations for a significant change in course.
The Faculty seeks to achieve a socially diverse learning community comprising a balance of women and men, English and French speakers, as well as representing different career aspirations, backgrounds, life experiences and geographic origins.
Candidates who have applied to the Faculty of Law in previous years must submit a new personal statement.
Extenuating Circumstances
Extenuating Circumstances
Serious medical or personal difficulties may have had an impact on an applicant's academic performance. If this is the case, the applicant should make reference to these difficulties in his or her personal statement, and provide supporting documentation as appropriate.
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Applicants are required to submit a résumé highlighting their:
- academic background and achievements
- work experience (indicating number of hours worked during studies)
- volunteer and community work
- extra-curricular activities, sports, hobbies, and other significant interests
The résumé assists the ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ Committee in its assessment of a candidate's academic strength, depth of involvement in extra-curricular activities, leadership, and time management skills.
Re-application: Candidates who have applied to the Faculty of Law in previous years are required to submit an updated résumé.
Letters of Reference
Letters of Reference
Two (2) letters of reference are required.
Applicants who are students, or who have recently completed programs of study, are expected to provide academic references from current or recent professors or teachers who are familiar with their work.
Applicants who are unable to obtain academic references because they are no longer students should submit letters from individuals who are well placed to evaluate the applicant's academic abilities such as critical reading, research, and writing; these may be professional references, but ought to be from a person who is in a supervisory position vis-Ã -vis the applicant.
Personal references are not helpful.
Requirements
Requirements
The candidate must send a copy of the Reference Letter Instructions [.pdf] to the referees to ensure that the letters of reference meet the formatting requirements set out by the Faculty's Office of ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ.The Law Reference Letter Instructions form is available under Letters of reference.
Your referees should enclose the signed letter in an envelope, seal the flap of the envelope, and sign their name across the flap. The referee should then return the envelope to the applicant, who will then send it to the Law ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ Office. Referees may also forward letters directly to the Law ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ Office.
Letters may be sent electronically (undergradadmissions.law [at] mcgill.ca (via e-mail)) and will be accepted if sent by University Career Centres, Electronic Portfolio Management Companies and other document storage services. Letters sent electronically must meet the following conditions:
- The e-mail communicating the electronic letter must be sent from a valid institutional or corporate e-mail address (domain). Electronic letters sent from public domain addresses such as Hotmail, Gail, Yahoo Mail or Videotron cannot be accepted.
- The electronic letters must be specific as to which program the student has applied and include information that would aid an admissions committee in making an informed decision.
- The electronic letter must be dated and must not be more than 12 months old.
- The referee must indicate his/her position and full contact information at the institution.
- Electronic letters sent from a Career Centre or Portfolio Management Company must state that the letters are confidential.
Letters of reference must be written on official letterhead. If this is not possible, the reason(s) should be indicated by the referee in the letter of reference. For hard-copy letters submitted on official electronic letterhead with an electronic signature, the letter must conform to conditions 1) through 5) (above) and must also be sent in an envelope sealed by the referee.
- The ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ Office does not accept letters of reference by fax.
- If the letter does not meet our requirements, the message "Contact us!" will be posted on Minerva.
- While two letters of reference are required, the file of a candidate who indicates three referees will be considered incomplete until all three letters of reference have been submitted to the ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ Office. A candidate who indicates three referees must advise the undergradadmissions.law [at] mcgill.ca (Faculty of Law ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ Office) in writing if they subsequently decide that they would like their candidacy to be considered on the basis of two references.
Law School Admission Test (LSAT)
Law School Admission Test (LSAT)
Applicants are not required to take the LSAT. However, if a candidate has taken or will be taking the LSAT, the score will be reviewed by the ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ Committee. Applicants who have taken or will be taking the test must report the date(s) of sitting(s) and provide their LSAT identification number in the appropriate places on the application. They must do so irrespective of whether the LSAT may, in their own estimation, strengthen or weaken their candidacy.
Consequences of Failure to Disclose
Consequences of Failure to Disclose
The Faculty of Law may revoke an offer of admission or cancel an application at any time for material misrepresentation, including omissions, in an application. Although the LSAT is not a mandatory element in an application for admission, every applicant who has taken or will be taking it must disclose the result and failure to do so is a material misrepresentation. The ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ Office conducts random verifications for LSAT scores throughout the admissions process and a systematic verification with respect to candidates who receive an offer of admission. These verifications have, in the past, resulted in the revocation of offers of admission.
Processing of LSAT Results
Processing of LSAT Results
The ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ Office obtains test results directly from the Law School Admission Services. Applicants whose service with the Law School ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ Council has expired must reactivate their service in order to enable the ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ Office to obtain their LSAT score.
We recommend that candidates write the LSAT by December of the year prior to the year for which they seek admission. Candidates who register for the December LSAT should be aware that consideration of their file will be delayed until receipt of the score. Candidates who register for the February LSAT risk that, by the time the Committee reviews their application, there will no longer be places to offer, even if the Committee wishes to admit a student.
³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ does not administer the LSAT. Applicants who wish to register for the LSAT must do so directly with
For additional information, see the LSAT section of our FAQ.