Admission Factors: What Else?

 

Designed for Consistency

The OLSAS scale isn’t your typical 4.0 scale. It rewards consistent performance. Big jumps between letter grades (A- to B+, B+ to B) result in a steeper drop in OLSAS points compared to staying within a letter grade (A to A-, B+ to B). So, if your grades fluctuate, your OLSAS GPA might reflect that more than your university GPA.

L2/B3 vs. CGPA: Decoding the Weighting

Ontario law schools have varying preferences for which GPA they weigh more heavily:

• Cumulative GPA (cGPA): Most Ontario schools, and many others in Canada, prioritize your cGPA – your overall average across all your undergraduate studies.
• Last Two Years (L2) or Best Three Years (B3): Queen’s, Western, and U of Toronto focus more on your L2 or B3, respectively. These calculations can be tricky due to how summer courses are factored in. Be cautious when estimating your L2/B3 scores yourself.

 

A Rough Start? 

A rocky first year or two might not significantly impact your application at L2/B3 schools. At cGPA schools, it can affect you, but many successful applicants haven’t had a perfect track record. Law schools understand that various factors can impact performance early on. However, consistent improvement in upper years, especially after a weak start, demonstrates your ability to handle law school’s rigors.

The severity also matters. Failing most or all first-year courses is far different from getting mostly Cs. The latter is less likely to be a major hurdle.

Competitive Grades: What’s the Benchmark?

Competitive cumulative averages on the OLSAS scale typically hover around 3.7 (A-). Higher GPAs are obviously stronger, but schools have admitted candidates with B+ averages (around 3.3) based on their LSAT scores and other application components.

Withdrawing from Courses?

Dropping a course or two with a “W” (withdrawal) likely won’t raise eyebrows. But a transcript riddled with withdrawals or poor marks alongside them could raise concerns.

Failed Courses

If your transcript is otherwise strong, a single failure might not be a dealbreaker. Multiple failures or consistently low grades will likely be viewed negatively. Retaking the failed course and performing well can demonstrate your ability to overcome challenges. But retaking isn’t always necessary, so weigh your options carefully.

Light Course Loads

Law schools value your ability to handle a full course load. While occasional semesters with a lighter load are generally acceptable, falling below full-time status for extended periods (without exceptional circumstances) might be viewed negatively.

Master’s Degree?

Ontario law schools generally disregard grades from graduate programs due to their typical “A” curve. But a master’s degree can be a “soft” factor that strengthens your application. I don’t recommend pursuing a master’s solely to boost your law school chances.

Second Undergraduate Degree?

Completing another full degree program is a significant commitment. While some schools, like Osgoode, consider grades from all undergraduate degrees, it’s crucial to confirm this policy with each school you’re interested in. Applying as a mature student after gaining work experience can be a less expensive alternative.

Personal Statements

Follow instructions

Start with the prompt. Law schools often provide specific prompts or guidelines for your personal statement. Following these instructions closely demonstrates your ability to follow directions.

Tell Your Story 

Your personal statement is your chance to be a storyteller. Admissions officers have your transcript and LSAT score – they already know your academic performance. This is your opportunity to reveal the person behind the numbers. Highlight experiences, achievements, or challenges that shaped your desire to pursue law.

Think about what unique qualities you bring to the table. Are you a passionate advocate for justice? Do you possess exceptional leadership skills honed through extracurricular activities? Let your personality and experiences come alive on the page.

Show, Don’t Tell

Simply listing accomplishments isn’t enough. Demonstrate your strengths with vivid anecdotes or specific examples.

Focus on What Matters

Avoid rehashing information readily available elsewhere in your application. If you choose to mention something from your resume, go deeper and provide context.

Law School Love Letters are Unnecessary

Resist the urge to gush about the law school itself. Admissions officers are more interested in what you bring to the program, not the other way around. However, if a specific professor or program aligns perfectly with your goals, briefly mention it and explain why.

Clarity, Concision, and Perfection

Your personal statement is a professional document. Ensure it’s well-written, clear, concise, and error-free. Typos and grammatical mistakes create a negative impression. Have a trusted friend or advisor proofread your statement before submitting it.

Low Stats and the Personal Statement: A Reality Check

Let’s be frank: a stellar personal statement likely won’t erase significantly lower GPAs or LSAT scores. However, if you’ve faced extenuating circumstances like a serious illness or family tragedy that impacted your academic performance, consider applying under the “access category” (or its equivalent) at specific schools. This allows for special consideration of these factors.

Extracurriculars

Understand the Weighting

Many law schools embrace “holistic admissions,” meaning they consider your entire application – not just grades and LSAT scores. While this doesn’t diminish the importance of strong academic performance, it does acknowledge that exceptional experiences, background, or impressive soft skills can elevate a competitive application. However, keep in mind that “holistic” doesn’t equate to “anything goes.” Stellar extracurriculars or a moving personal statement won’t magically compensate for significantly lower GPAs or LSAT scores.

Extracurricular Activities: Demonstrating Well-Roundedness

Law schools seek well-rounded individuals, not just bookworms. Extracurricular activities offer a chance to showcase your abilities beyond academics. But with so many applicants boasting impressive resumes, what truly qualifies as a “strong” extracurricular? 

Law students are often stereotyped as ambitious, go-getter types. This translates to a high bar for extracurricular involvement. Typical activities include leadership roles in student clubs, government committees, or university publications. Varsity sports participation and volunteering experiences also stand out. What does it mean to stand out? There’s no magic formula. The key is to prioritize genuine passion over resume padding. Admissions officers see through attempts to impress with titles alone.

Focus on Your Interests

Instead of chasing prestige, pursue activities you truly enjoy. This enthusiasm will shine through in your application. Whether it’s volunteering at an animal shelter, participating in a theatre production, or leading a robotics club, your dedication and initiative matter more than the specific activity itself. 

Don’t get caught up in chasing the “perfect” extracurriculars. Admissions committees value authenticity. Demonstrate that you’re a well-rounded person with genuine interests. Being president of a club you’re passionate about is far more impressive than leading a pre-law society just to check a box.

Can Extracurricular Activities Make Up for Lower Stats?

Unfortunately, stellar extracurriculars likely won’t erase significantly lower GPAs or LSAT scores. Law schools prioritize academic ability. Exceptional circumstances like serious illness may warrant applying under special categories that consider such factors.

Pre-Law Specific Activities

Pre-law courses, clubs, or moot court experiences generally won’t impress admissions officers. Only pursue them if you genuinely find the subject matter interesting. Poor grades in these courses can hurt your application. Focus on activities that showcase your well-roundedness and transferable skills.

Legal Work Experience

Working at a law firm likely won’t significantly boost your application. Law schools are more interested in your potential for legal scholarship than practical experience. Strong undergraduate grades and, in some cases, a graduate degree, are better indicators of your academic ability.