How to Apply

There are no formatting requirements for your CV, however you should at minimum include:

• All previous education (including any programs in progress)
• Employment information including your job title(s), dates of employment, and a description of duties
• Year and jurisdiction of bar call (if applicable)

The Committee will use your writing sample to evaluate your preparedness for graduate-level academic research and writing. While what you choose to use as a writing sample is up to you, there are some samples that we recommend and some samples that we discourage.

We recommend that you submit one of the following:

• An academic paper (a good choice if you have recently been, or are currently enrolled, in an academic program)
• A memorandum or factum (if you have been out of school for several years)
• A 5-10 page research paper on a legal subject you’re interested in

You can find additional tips as well as suggestions for research topics on our blog.

The following are not suitable to be used for your writing sample:

• Unresearched opinion piece
• Co-authored papers/documents
• Non-analytical summary of law
• Court pleading or form
• Other legal documents

In the application you will be prompted to provide contact information for two references.

You may use either professional or academic references.

Once you submit your application, your referees will receive an automated email from OsgoodePD Admissions, with a link to complete the reference form. Your referees will be asked to comment on your academic potential, strengths, weaknesses, and overall suitability for the program.

Unofficial Transcripts

As part of your application, you will be required to submit university-level transcripts from every institution that you have attended where a grade was received for course(s) and/or a degree was awarded.

We strongly encourage you to submit electronic (unofficial) copies of transcripts as part of your application. Unofficial transcripts are typically sufficient for our initial evaluation of your application. If your institution does not issue unofficial transcripts, you can have your official transcripts relayed to the mailing address or email, below.

If you have taken courses at York University in the past, we will obtain York University Transcripts on your behalf.

★ Unofficial complete transcripts must reflect all courses taken, grades received and confirmation the degree is awarded. Most institutions include the degree awarded on the transcript. If your university does include the degree awarded on the transcript, you will also need to provide a copy of your degree certificate.

★ Degree certificate copies are always required in certain jurisdictions (such as China) regardless of whether the transcript indicates that your degree has been conferred

★ Unofficial interim transcripts must reflect all courses taken; grades received as well as courses you are currently enrolled in.

Certified translations of unofficial transcripts

If your university issues transcripts and/or degree certificate in a language other than English, we will also require copies of the certified translations of the documents by your university or by a certified translator.

Official Transcripts

If you are admitted to the program, you will be required to submit final official transcripts.

★ Official final transcripts must reflect all courses taken, grades received and confirmation the degree is awarded. Most institutions include the degree awarded on the transcript. If your university does include the degree awarded on the transcript, you will also need to provide a copy of your degree certificate.

★ If you are an NCA Candidate you may ask the NCA to send us copies of your official transcripts. Copies of officials sent directly from the NCA are considered to be official.

Certified translations of official final transcripts

If your university issues transcripts and/or degree certificate in a language other than English, we will also require copies of the certified translations of the documents by your university or by a certified translator.

Some institutions issue official electronic transcripts. Official electronic transcripts can be sent by email to admissions-opd@osgoode.yorku.ca

If your institution does not issue electronic final transcripts, they can be sent by mail.  In order to be considered official, transcripts must be sent in sealed envelopes directly from the issuing university to the address below:

Osgoode Professional Development Admissions
Osgoode Hall Law School – Ignatt Kaneff Building
92 Scholars Walk, Room 0015
York University
4700 Keele Street, Toronto, ON
CANADA M3J 1P3

Frequently Asked Questions about Transcripts

What if my transcripts are in a language other than English?
If transcripts are in another language (and your University does not issue translated copies), an official English translation by a certified translator is required. Translations must be received in envelopes sealed by the certified translator (see address above) or they can be sent by e-mail (directly from the institution or official translator) to admissions-opd@osgoode.yorku.ca

Will you accept transcripts from WES or another credential evaluation service?
No, we cannot accept third party evaluations.

What does Official mean?
To be considered ‘official,’ transcripts must be received in envelopes sealed by the issuing institution. Some institutions issue official electronic transcripts. Official electronic transcripts can be sent by email to admissions-opd@osgoode.yorku.ca

What does Final mean?
To be considered ‘final,’ transcripts must indicate that your degree has been conferred.

If you have graduated, but your transcript does not indicate that your degree has been conferred your degree certificate is also required.

What if I haven’t graduated yet?
An interim transcript is acceptable for the application review process. However, in terms of submitting a final, official transcripts, in order to be considered final, your transcript must indicate that your degree has been conferred. At most institutions, your degree is conferred during your convocation ceremony. If your convocation ceremony date is after the document submission deadline, please let us know after you have been admitted to the program.

Has OsgoodePD received my Official transcripts?
Receipt of your official transcripts is recorded in the Application Portal.

You may be required to submit a language test as part of your application for the program. Whether a language test is required is determined solely by your academic background. A full assessment will be completed after all academic transcripts have been received. Our team can generally advise you prior to applying whether a language test is likely to be required; however, the final determination is made after you have applied and submitted all required documents.

When is a language test not required: If you have completed at least one year of full-time study, or the equivalent in part-time study, in a degree- or diploma-granting university program where English is the sole official language of instruction across the entire institution (not just the program level).

When is a language test required:

• If your academic history does not meet the above criteria
• If you have submitted a test that is below the minimum score

In addition, the Admissions Committee reserves the right to require an English language test if a previously submitted score does not meet minimum requirements, or if, in its judgment, additional evidence is needed to adequately assess your English language proficiency.

For more information about this policy, acceptable tests and required scores English Language Proficiency Requirements.

We encourage all students interested in the LLM in Canadian Common Law to seek out an NCA assessment as early as possible. We reserve the right to request an NCA assessment for candidates who do not or do not appear to have a law degree that is a JD/LLB equivalent. Common examples of profiles where the Committee would request a copy of your NCA assessment as part of your application:

• You do not have a law degree (JD/LLB) but are licensed to practice law in your home jurisdiction
• You do not have a law degree (JD/LLB) and are not licensed to practice law, but have completed a credential that qualifies you to enter the licensing process in that jurisdiction