What secondary school background is required?
There are no specific secondary school requirements other than those needed for admission to the Faculty of Arts and Science.

What university background is required?
None of the law schools in Ontario (Ottawa, Queen's, Toronto, York (Osgoode Hall), Western and Windsor) prescribe pre-law courses; you are free to study whatever subjects you prefer. You should treat your undergraduate study as an end in itself rather than simply as preparation for law school. The Faculty of Law at the University of Toronto recommends that you take subjects you enjoy and do well in, and that you attempt to achieve mastery of a discipline. Usually, at least a strong cumulative B+ average in a challenging program is required in order to be competitive.

Hoe do you prepare for a career in law?
Undergraduate students at the University of Toronto who want to become lawyers should follow the basic steps listed below:

1. Complete at least three years of university study in any subjects, with excellent grades. Most students are admitted following a four-year honours program.
    
2. Obtain a high score on the Law School Admission Test.
    
3. Complete a three-year program of study at the Faculty of Law earning a Bachelor of Laws degree (LL.B.).**
    
4. To practice in Ontario, you must complete ten months of supervised work with a practicing member of the profession in Ontario, a procedure called articling (the articling period of the Bar Admission Course of the Law Society of Upper Canada). Students intending to practice in a common law province other than Ontario should consult with the secretary of the profession’s governing body in that province for information concerning bar admission requirements. Each provincial law society requires some period of articles of clerkship following successful completion of a Bachelor of Laws degree as a condition of admission to the profession.
    
5. Successfully complete the Bar Admission Course of the relevant provincial Law Society, with the inclusion of articles that may take from one year to eighteen months.

Note:

• The Faculty of Law at the University of Toronto requires that students successfully complete at least three years of a program leading to a degree at a recognized university (or equivalent), no later than the end of April in the year of entry. Other Ontario law schools may admit students who have completed two years of a degree program.
• The law degree at the University of Toronto is called a J.D. (Juris Doctor).

What is the Law School Admission Test?
It is a standardized test, composed of five 35 minute multiple-choice sections and a 30 minute writing sample section. The test measures certain analytical and logical reasoning abilities considered important in the study of law. The questions measure ability to read complex passages with understanding and insight, ability to reason and the ability to write.

What other factors are taken into consideration?
The University of Toronto Faculty of Law looks to a number of factors. These include: academic achievement; Law School Admission Test (LSAT) score; non-academic achievement; the response to disadvantage due to adverse personal or socio-economic circumstances or to barriers faced by cultural (including racial or ethnic) or linguistic minorities; motivation and involvement in academic and non-academic activities; and the impact of temporary or permanent physical disabilities.

The Admissions Committee may also give weight to work experience, graduate study, outstanding accomplishment in a non-academic activity, and other special circumstances brought to its attention. While the Admissions Committee gives greatest weight to an applicant’s cumulative undergraduate academic record and LSAT score, these other factors, may, in some cases, play an important role in the admissions decision and should be mentioned in the Personal Statement which is a required part of the application.

Where should you go to discuss your plans?
You should discuss your undergraduate program with your College Registrar. In addition, the Admissions Officer of the Faculty of Law will be pleased to discuss your plans with you.

For more information:
Visit the admissions office in the Faculty of Law, Falconer Hall, 84 Queen's Park,  Room 108B or phone (416) 978-3716.

Detailed published information about admission requirements and application procedures should be obtained from the Faculty of Law. While every effort has been made to avoid errors, this is intended only as a summary of those requirements.

To obtain an Ontario Law School Application (OLSAS) visit the Ontario Universities' Application Centre website, call  (519) 823-1940 ext. 580 or
e-mail olsas@ouac.on.ca.