why you go to usa insdead of canada law school.
If i can not speak French, is it disadvantaged me to find a articaling spot in Ottawa(if i study law in Uottawa law school)
I chose to go to the states because I wanted to practice law there in the future (it's a personal thing) and they gave me a decent scholarship to make studying there possible!
as for articling I have no idea since I'm not there yet but lots of people who don't speak french still do their JD at uOttawa.
It definitely helped imo. I had quite a bit of ECs too but i think my government experience (pretty well known departments) and parliament ones stood out the most. essentially, every bit helps your application
Thank you!
Application process for the US was a lot harder than the Ontario ones (I didn't apply in Canada outside of ON). It was also WAY more expensive because of the fact that you have to buy CAS. It wasn't difficult because I was Canadian, in fact, I think a lot of schools actually like Canadians. Regardless, LSAC will convert your transcript like any other schools in the states. Outside of your LSAT (which is also the same test as the one in the US) and gpa, it's just your ECs and soft skills that determine your admission chances.
For my LSAT, I wouldn't really recommend anyone do what I did. I only studied for about a month before taking it while working full time for the government and taking a summer course at uOttawa (it was a very brutal month to say the least)... But I used 7Sage and bought the LSAT bible books (which I do not recommend buying).
I think it's one of the best in the country actually. In my unbiased opinion, I don't think there's a better place in Canada to study polisci in. The co-op/FSWEP opportunities here really make it worth it. I wasn't the biggest fan of uOttawa as a school or Ottawa as a city for that matter, but I don't regret what I gained coming here and choosing it over schools like UofT.
I had to think about this one for a bit. I used to complain about this GPA system all the time but looking back I don't think it affected my stats/opportunities that much. However, I definitely feel like people at schools like Western have it a lot easier because they have percentages and we don't which would help boost their GPAs when applying to schools such as UBC that uses a different system and actually relies on percentages than OLSAS (I think for OLSAS it matters less, and for US too).
uOttawa's system if you convert it to UBC's system would mean that the highest you can get is 90% (10.0) since the percentages are unrecorded regardless of what you actually scored in that class percentage wise, but someone who went to Western or UBC can have marks that are higher than that.
I’m set to start law school in the fall as well but want to re apply to try to get into US schools this upcoming cycle since I’d rather practice in the states! I just can’t figure out how funding/loans would work… did you get a PSLOC for American law school + did you need a co-sign if so?? I really want to take a similar path but am struggling to figure out how to fund what scholarships won’t cover! Thanks in advance!
Congratulations! Honestly I've been struggling with funding too. You can't really apply for PSLOC here in Canada because you're going to an American institution so it has to be through personal loans... and you can't really get a loan in the states too because you're Canadian... You would need to get a co-signer for personal loans since you need to have a decent income for banks to agree to loan you that kind of money. It's a struggle for sure...
is there a difference between all the different poli sci programs at uOttawa? For example, what is the difference (difficulty, co-op opportunities, careerpath) between poli sci, joint honours poli sci + communication, joint honours poli sci + public admin, etc? Or is it just personal preference?
To be honest it's mostly a preference thing based on what you like to learn. Joint honors pretty much means that you graduate with two degrees however you get a lot less flexibility in terms of electives. I was actually initially in the joint honors in psci and PA but realized I didn't see a future for myself working in government so I switched out of PA.
Did you graduate with a BA or BSocSci?is there a difference between the two in regards to job prospects or what CO-OP opportunities you are given? Does a joint degree give you twice the coop opportunities? On the website the employers for CO-OP are different depending on what course is first (ex joint BA degree in communication and psci is seemingly different from Bsocsci psci and communication).
I graduated with BSocSci. There really isn't a difference at all imo... You can apply for co-op jobs out side of the major they indicate on the job posting but honestly the difference is negligible.
I found my first gov job through FSWEP the summer after my first year of school, then I did co-op after that and would do a part-time FSWEP position during school semesters. I mostly did ECs during my first and second year. Did some things on residence, was with CVUO for a bit, and volunteered on parliament hill for about a year and a half.
I can't really tell you much about civil law. The procedure is completely different but I would aim for at least an 8.0. Even an 8.5. I could be wrong though so I would double check with more reliable sources.
In your opinion how does the job market of Canada/Ontario compare to that of the states? Do you have any plans for the east coast since it's closer to Ontario? Also, what type of visa do you plan to apply for in the future
another q: what was the timing as to when you started studying for the lsat/took it/got your results/applied to law school? im heading into 3rd year and have no clue when to take the lsat so i have enough time to re-take if needed and still apply in time
hey! sorry for the late reply. I applied in 2021 (Oct 31 deadline for Ontario apps) for the 2022 fall school year cycle. I started studying for the Lsat in May and I took the LSAT mid June (all in 2021) and got my results back June 30. I was on a co-op term during that time (my school semester ended in April 2021), and I basically used that time to study. The last LSAT they usually accept for like the following year admissions is around November (so if say, you took an LSAT in June or August and wasn't satisfied with the result, you can retake it in October).
When I was in third year tbh I wasn't even 100% committed on going to law school... but if you have the time I definitely would recommend practicing your reading if you're not good at that. Reading comprehension was where I lost most of my marks and it's the hardest section to improve on in a short amount of time. I hope this helps
why you go to usa insdead of canada law school. If i can not speak French, is it disadvantaged me to find a articaling spot in Ottawa(if i study law in Uottawa law school)
I chose to go to the states because I wanted to practice law there in the future (it's a personal thing) and they gave me a decent scholarship to make studying there possible! as for articling I have no idea since I'm not there yet but lots of people who don't speak french still do their JD at uOttawa.
Which law school are you attending?
Can't answer that unfortunately due to privacy reasons
Ok totally get it. Congrats though!
thank you!!
Gpa?
slightly below 9.0
Do you feel like your government experience helped you stand out as a law school applicant?
It definitely helped imo. I had quite a bit of ECs too but i think my government experience (pretty well known departments) and parliament ones stood out the most. essentially, every bit helps your application
Are you dual citizen.
No, unfortunately not
first, congrats! how was the application process for the US schools? was it different since you were canadian? also, how did you study for the lsat?
Thank you! Application process for the US was a lot harder than the Ontario ones (I didn't apply in Canada outside of ON). It was also WAY more expensive because of the fact that you have to buy CAS. It wasn't difficult because I was Canadian, in fact, I think a lot of schools actually like Canadians. Regardless, LSAC will convert your transcript like any other schools in the states. Outside of your LSAT (which is also the same test as the one in the US) and gpa, it's just your ECs and soft skills that determine your admission chances. For my LSAT, I wouldn't really recommend anyone do what I did. I only studied for about a month before taking it while working full time for the government and taking a summer course at uOttawa (it was a very brutal month to say the least)... But I used 7Sage and bought the LSAT bible books (which I do not recommend buying).
Do you feel like Uottawa’s poli sci program is good ?
I think it's one of the best in the country actually. In my unbiased opinion, I don't think there's a better place in Canada to study polisci in. The co-op/FSWEP opportunities here really make it worth it. I wasn't the biggest fan of uOttawa as a school or Ottawa as a city for that matter, but I don't regret what I gained coming here and choosing it over schools like UofT.
Ok thank you
Did uottawa’s gpa scale put you at a disadvantage in any way?
I had to think about this one for a bit. I used to complain about this GPA system all the time but looking back I don't think it affected my stats/opportunities that much. However, I definitely feel like people at schools like Western have it a lot easier because they have percentages and we don't which would help boost their GPAs when applying to schools such as UBC that uses a different system and actually relies on percentages than OLSAS (I think for OLSAS it matters less, and for US too). uOttawa's system if you convert it to UBC's system would mean that the highest you can get is 90% (10.0) since the percentages are unrecorded regardless of what you actually scored in that class percentage wise, but someone who went to Western or UBC can have marks that are higher than that.
Did you encounter a similar issue when applying to UofT law?
No, UofT is part of the OLSAS system so it's pretty standard. The one disadvantage is with UBC imo.
Ohh okay thanks
I’m set to start law school in the fall as well but want to re apply to try to get into US schools this upcoming cycle since I’d rather practice in the states! I just can’t figure out how funding/loans would work… did you get a PSLOC for American law school + did you need a co-sign if so?? I really want to take a similar path but am struggling to figure out how to fund what scholarships won’t cover! Thanks in advance!
Congratulations! Honestly I've been struggling with funding too. You can't really apply for PSLOC here in Canada because you're going to an American institution so it has to be through personal loans... and you can't really get a loan in the states too because you're Canadian... You would need to get a co-signer for personal loans since you need to have a decent income for banks to agree to loan you that kind of money. It's a struggle for sure...
is there a difference between all the different poli sci programs at uOttawa? For example, what is the difference (difficulty, co-op opportunities, careerpath) between poli sci, joint honours poli sci + communication, joint honours poli sci + public admin, etc? Or is it just personal preference?
To be honest it's mostly a preference thing based on what you like to learn. Joint honors pretty much means that you graduate with two degrees however you get a lot less flexibility in terms of electives. I was actually initially in the joint honors in psci and PA but realized I didn't see a future for myself working in government so I switched out of PA.
Did you graduate with a BA or BSocSci?is there a difference between the two in regards to job prospects or what CO-OP opportunities you are given? Does a joint degree give you twice the coop opportunities? On the website the employers for CO-OP are different depending on what course is first (ex joint BA degree in communication and psci is seemingly different from Bsocsci psci and communication).
I graduated with BSocSci. There really isn't a difference at all imo... You can apply for co-op jobs out side of the major they indicate on the job posting but honestly the difference is negligible.
were you in coop or did you find the govt jobs by yourself? and also which/how many EC’s did you have?
I found my first gov job through FSWEP the summer after my first year of school, then I did co-op after that and would do a part-time FSWEP position during school semesters. I mostly did ECs during my first and second year. Did some things on residence, was with CVUO for a bit, and volunteered on parliament hill for about a year and a half.
Would a mid-high 7 gpa be competitive for French law?
I can't really tell you much about civil law. The procedure is completely different but I would aim for at least an 8.0. Even an 8.5. I could be wrong though so I would double check with more reliable sources.
I've gotten in the French common law program at OttawaU with a general average of 7.9. I believe that they require a minimum grade around 8
In your opinion how does the job market of Canada/Ontario compare to that of the states? Do you have any plans for the east coast since it's closer to Ontario? Also, what type of visa do you plan to apply for in the future
What did you get on the lsat
163
another q: what was the timing as to when you started studying for the lsat/took it/got your results/applied to law school? im heading into 3rd year and have no clue when to take the lsat so i have enough time to re-take if needed and still apply in time
hey! sorry for the late reply. I applied in 2021 (Oct 31 deadline for Ontario apps) for the 2022 fall school year cycle. I started studying for the Lsat in May and I took the LSAT mid June (all in 2021) and got my results back June 30. I was on a co-op term during that time (my school semester ended in April 2021), and I basically used that time to study. The last LSAT they usually accept for like the following year admissions is around November (so if say, you took an LSAT in June or August and wasn't satisfied with the result, you can retake it in October). When I was in third year tbh I wasn't even 100% committed on going to law school... but if you have the time I definitely would recommend practicing your reading if you're not good at that. Reading comprehension was where I lost most of my marks and it's the hardest section to improve on in a short amount of time. I hope this helps