“Should I apply?”
It’s the question we hear most often. We hear it from recent graduates who are taking their first steps after law school, and from lawyers who have been practicing for ten years or more. The hesitation is understandable. For many applicants, regardless of experience, taking a step that invites assessment can feel uncertain. But this concern often stems from a misunderstanding of what Admissions Committees are looking for, or the perception that there is a single applicant profile we’re seeking, which isn’t the case.
In a professional program, a diverse student body is both inevitable and essential. Students arrive with different academic backgrounds, work histories, jurisdictions of training, and career goals. That diversity is an integral part of professional graduate programs. Since class discussion is a central feature of our interactive, seminar-style classes, a diversity of student experience creates a basis for rich discussions. Suffice to say, there is no perfect profile or single type of candidate who is the ideal match. Committees build cohorts that reflect a range of experiences rather than searching for one ideal template. Students in the program bring a wide variety of academic and professional experiences.
“Will my GPA hurt my chances?”
Applicants are often concerned that their GPA alone will determine the outcome of their application. The Committee isn’t reviewing your GPA in isolation. They’re considering it in the context of your full application, and often that context matters more than the GPA itself.
The Committee is looking at factors such as:
- How long ago you completed your degree – if you’ve been out of school for more than ten years, your professional experience will carry more weight than your GPA.
- The jurisdiction where you completed your degree – the Committee will take into account factors such as grading norms and whether grades are curved.
- Any additional context you’ve provided – if you feel your grades aren’t a true reflection of your preparedness for graduate study, you should address that in your application. There are many reasons why grades may not reflect someone’s true academic potential. A strong explanation helps the committee understand the full picture.
“Is my experience the right fit?”
Applicants often assume that the Committee is looking for specific roles or job titles. This assumption leads people to underestimate their own experience or overthink whether their background is the “right” one. In reality, a single class often includes people whose paths look completely different. For example, in a labour law course, you might see labour-side and management-side practitioners, people from the public and private sectors, and professionals who work in highly unionized environments from both perspectives. No two resumes look alike, yet all of them add value to the classroom.
The Committee is not matching applicants to a checklist. Instead, they are looking for people who can clearly explain how their experience connects to their goals and the program. A few general pieces of advice to consider when framing your experience:
- If you are licensed in Canada and have limited practice experience in the area you want to study, offer context about what drew you to this field and why you are pursuing further study now.
- If you were trained internationally, be sure to clarify whether you practiced law in your previous roles. This helps the committee understand your level of experience.
- If you are a non-legal professional, the application will prompt you to describe your professional background and any exposure you have had to legal work. These details matter. Committees admit people from a range of professions as long as they can show how the program aligns with their goals.
Three Keys to Creating a Strong Application
Context
You may have noticed that this has been a theme above – and for good reason. Providing context about your background and experience – and insight into why you want to complete the program – helps the Committee imagine the contributions you would make in the classroom and how your experience would enhance discussion.
Timing
We strongly encourage applicants to apply as early as possible. Programs often fill before the application deadline, and because the Committee makes decisions on an ongoing basis throughout the cycle, waiting until the end may mean we aren’t able to offer you a space in that intake. This can mean a long wait for cohort-based programs (Privacy & Cybersecurity, Intellectual Property, Health Law, Financial Law and Construction Law), which only start every other year.
Reach out if you have questions
We don’t want applicants to begin the process with unanswered questions, which is why we welcome pre-application conversations and reviews. Our team can help you to explore the programs that are best aligned with your experience and goals, and give you recommendations to help contextualize your experience to the Committee.
Start the conversation by contacting us!