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#JD Admission Requirements

JD Admission Requirements

Post-secondary studies

The educational prerequisite for admission to law school in Alberta is the successful completion of 10 full courses or 20 half course equivalents in a program of study leading to a degree at a university in Alberta or its equivalent. Courses to be considered must be completed prior to December 31 in the year in which the application is made. Successful applicants to the Faculty of Law at the University of Calgary will be on track to complete their undergraduate education prior to beginning the JD program.

Law School Admission Test (LSAT)

All students seeking admission to the Faculty of Law, or who wish to obtain a JD degree from the University of Calgary, are required to take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), as are most students who wish to attend on a Letter of Permission.

The LSAT is a standardized test designed to measure skills that are considered essential for success in law school. Among other things, the test evaluates the applicant's ability to reason critically, organize and manage information, and analyze the arguments of others. It is not a test that one can prepare for by studying. However, most students find it helpful to familiarize themselves with the test format and review previous tests. Applicants are encouraged to register for the LSAT online by visiting the website www.lsac.org .

An application to write the LSAT together with the examination fee must be submitted to LSAC within the time stipulated on the website (usually at least one month prior to the date of the test you wish to write).

Some students choose to take commercial preparation seminars or tutorials. Further information is available from LSAC. Information about LSAT preparation courses can be found at the Renert Centre .

NOTE: Applicants seeking admission to the Faculty of Law at the University of Calgary must write the LSAT prior to January 1. The last accepted date for writing the LSAT is the December exam. Only those applicants who have done so will be given consideration. The U of C will not consider the February writing score for September admission. If you only write in February, your application will be returned to you.

The Admission Office will request LSAT scores be forwarded to the law school from LSAC. The score is valid for five years. An applicant may not take the LSAT more than three times in any two year period. Refer to the LSAC website for complete details .

Any applicant who is not able to afford the LSAT fee may apply to the Director of the Admissions Committee. Prescribed forms for a Fee Waiver are available online. A covering letter and proof of the applicant's financial position for the previous three years is required. The criteria are set out on the Fee Waiver form.

For more information, email us at law@ucalgary.ca or call us at 403.220.4155.