Planning to attend law school in Canada? You may be thinking about which LSAT to take and wondering whether the January or February LSATs are too late. Schools in the US often accept scores from tests as late as July and application deadlines extend into the summer. But that is not the case in Canada.
The majority of the 24 law schools in Canada list January as the latest LSAT they will accept. Application deadlines are generally in November and December, though at least one is as late as March 1st.
Canadian Law School Deadlines
Note: This chart was updated 6/13/21
| School | Average LSAT score | Average GPA | Application Deadline | Latest LSAT Score Allowed | Highest LSAT score or Average of all LSAT Scores | Class Size | Yearly Tuition for Canadian Resident |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alberta Faculty Of Law | 160 | 3.8 | December 1st | January | Multiple scores averaged | 185 | $10,936 |
| UBC Allard School Of Law | 166 | 3.8 | December 1st | January | Highest score | 200 | $13,149 |
| Bora Laskin Faculty Of Law (Lakehead University) | Not provided | Not provided | November 1st | January | Highest score | 65 | $18,039 |
| University Of Calgary Faculty Of Law | 161 | 3.66 | December 1st | January | Highest score | 135 | $15,400 |
| Dalhousie University Schulich School Of Law | 162 | 3.7 | February 28th | February | Highest score | 170 | $16,950 |
| University Of Manitoba Faculty Of Law | 160 | 3.99 | December 1st | January | Highest score | 106 | $10,999 |
| McGill University Faculty Of Law | 162 | 3.7 | November 1st | January | Multiple scores averaged | 180 | $10,841 |
| University Of New Brunswick Faculty Of Law | 158 | 3.7 | March 1st | January | Highest score | 92 | $12,560 |
| Osgoode Hall Law School, York University | 161 | 3.69 | November 1st | January | Highest score | 290 | $25,866 |
| University Of Ottawa Faculty Of Law | 157 | 3.7 | November 1st | January | Highest score | 309 | $19,355 |
| Queen's University Faculty Of Law | 160 | 3.73 | November 1st | February | Highest score | 200 | $19,487 |
| University of Saskatchewan College Of Law | 158 | 3.35 | February 1st | January | Highest score | 126 | $15,584 |
| Thompson Rivers University Faculty Of Law | Not provided | Not provided | November 1st | January | Highest score | 115 | $21,312 |
| University Of Toronto Faculty Of Law | 166 | 3.86 | November 1st | January | Highest score | 212 | $33,040 |
| University Of Victoria Faculty Of Law | 165 | 3.81 | January 15th | January | Highest score | 110 | $10,370 |
| Western University Law | 161 | 3.7 | November 1st | February | Highest score | 190 | $29,505 |
| University Of Windsor Faculty Of Law | 155 | 3.1 | November 1st | January | Highest score | 165 | $19,330 |
Things to Note
- Application Deadline. The deadline is the date after which the school will not consider or review newly received applications. Having said that, several schools have told us that the number of unfilled spaces affected how they view their “deadline” date. If they still have spaces available in their classes, they might accept applications after the deadline, though your chances of admissions are lowered once the deadline passes.
- Latest Acceptable Test Date. For some schools, this is a “strongly recommended”. To clarify, these schools will accept this test as the first and only LSAT you’ve taken.
- Highest LSAT Score or Average of all LSAT scores. A couple of law schools average multiple scores, which is not the norm, so we thought this was helpful information to include in the chart.
Let’s take a look at the list! If you have any questions or comments, please post below. If you plan to apply to any of these schools, we strongly encourage you to contact them directly to ask about their deadlines. The LSAC provides concise descriptions and information including admissions and financial aid requirements for 20 of these schools here: Canadian Law Schools. Note that there are six additional law schools in Canada, but they aren’t in LSAC Official Guide (due to the fact that they are French-speaking schools).
If you need help with any part of your application, we’ve got expert admissions consultants you can work with!
Parry C says
Do the law schools have winter intake too or it’s just once a year September intake.
Dave Killoran says
It’s a rolling admissions process for US Law schools–some schools take people from September all the way through the following summer. Each school has it’s own deadline. Canadian law schools tend to have harder, earlier deadlines.
Thanks!
J. Parker says
Hey Dave,
The University of Alberta has recently changed its LSAT policy and now takes the highest LSAT score, like most law schools across North America.
As per its official 2021/22 admissions data found on their website, the entrance stats are now a 165 average LSAT with a 3.9 average GPA (Last 2 years).
Viviana says
Estoy en tercer año de cuatro de la facultad de Geografía en Canadá y planeo entrar a la facultad de leyes. Debo tomar el LSAT ahora o esperar hasta el cuarto año? Muchas gracias
PowerScore Test Prep says
Hi Viviana,
Thanks for the post! You can definitely take the LSAT now if you feel prepared for it, or you can wait if you are not ready yet. It depends on your schedule, when you have time to study, and how prepared you feel!
Most students start studying the summer before their fourth year. Then, they take the test in the fall or winter of their fourth year. For a general LSAT and law school timeline, you can go here: https://www.powerscore.com/lsat/help/timeline_student.cfm
I hope this helps! Thanks!
Ethan says
Do law schools look at all 4 years for gpa? Or just your best 2 or 3
Dave Killoran says
The look at the full set of data they have, which is often 3 years. It’s your accumulated undergraduate GPA that is the big hitter. Trend matters as well, but overall is what gets reports and what is therefore primary.
Please let me know if that makes sense. Thanks!
Kamran S says
How about UK or Ireland Law schools. If I intend to study there, do I need to take LSAT or is it a different exam?
PowerScore Test Prep says
Hi Kamran,
Thanks for your comment! The Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) is typically required for students who are interested in attending law school in the US or Canada.
However, the admissions process for law schools in the UK and Ireland are different and we would recommend obtaining those requirements directly from the schools you’re interested in attending.
Thank you!
Wilson Fink says
I’m assuming this GPA is calculated on a 4.0 basis, correct? Not 4.5?
PowerScore Test Prep says
Hi Wilson,
That’s correct! LSAC converts grades to a 4.0 scale. More on this process may be found directly on their website here: https://www.lsac.org/applying-law-school/jd-application-process/cas/requesting/transcript-summarization.
Thank you!
Alice Min says
I think the GPA for Ottawa is missing some numbers
Dave Killoran says
Hi Alice,
Yes, you are correct! We have updated the chart and thank you so much for letting us know about the error.
The University of Ottowa doesn’t publish the specific GPA, but their website states that “most successful applicants have at least an A- or 80% average overall (CGPA)”. We have posted that as 3.7 on our chart which translates to a percentage of 80-84.
Thanks!
Raesh says
Is LSAT country specific exam or Common test for all countries ? I’m in India but i want to join Canadian university for Law degree course. Please clear my doubt.
Dave Killoran says
If you wish to attend law school IN the US or Canada, it’s a common test. So, no matter where you take it–the US, England, Nigeria, India, Peru, Japan, etc–it’s the same basic LSAT and does not change content or structure for individual countries.
Thanks!