91˿Ƶ

91˿Ƶ Policy

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Note: This is the 2019–2020 eCalendar. Update the year in your browser's URL bar for the most recent version of this page, or .

91˿Ƶ Policy

The Faculty's admissions policy is to select applicants who are best suited to studying law in 91˿Ƶ's uniquely comparative, trans-systemic, and bilingual environment. Diversity and excellence are essential to our Faculty. Indeed, our Faculty's excellence is based on its diversity.

The 91˿Ƶ Committee looks for indicators of intellectual curiosity, community engagement, insight (cultural, economic, political, social, and otherwise), leadership, ability to work with others, openness to diversity, maturity, ethical sense, judgment, and potential for development through opportunity or adversity, among other criteria.

The Committee conducts its assessment through a holistic evaluation of each applicant's file, including the applicant's academic record, linguistic abilities, personal statement, extracurricular, community or professional activities, and references (see Application Supporting Documents).

In addition, applicants must demonstrate substantial reading ability in, and aural comprehension of, both English and French (see Language Requirements).

The 91˿Ƶ Committee seeks to achieve a plural learning community drawn from across Quebec, Canada, and beyond, in which there is a wide range of career aspirations, backgrounds, and life experiences.

The Faculty of Law is committed to equity and diversity We welcome applications from Indigenous people, people with disabilities, racialised people, gender non-conforming and trans people, LGBTQ+ people, women, people from an economically disadvantaged background, and others who may face systemic barriers that impact their access to education.

The BCL/LLB is a limited enrolment program for which admission is competitive. Each year the Faculty admits approximately 180 new students. The number of applications is approximately 8 times greater than the number of available places. Unfortunately, every year we must refuse many qualified candidates due to lack of space in the program.

Files are reviewed by the 91˿Ƶ Office and the Faculty's 91˿Ƶ Committee, which is composed of full-time faculty members appointed by the Dean, two senior law students selected by the Law Students' Association Executive, and the Assistant Dean, 91˿Ƶ and Recruitment. Files are read by 1-4 file reviewers before a final decision is rendered.

Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2019-2020 (last updated Aug. 13, 2019) (disclaimer)

Educational Requirements

Educational Requirements

Candidates must have a minimum of two years (60 credits) of university studies, or a diploma of collegial studies (DCS) from a Quebec College of General and Professional Education (CEGEP), at the time of registration. Students with a French Baccalaureate from Quebec (Collège international Marie de France or Collège Stanislas) are also eligible to apply.

While candidates who have completed 60 credits of university study are eligible to apply to the Faculty of Law, due to the competition for admission, almost all students admitted in the “university” category have completed an undergraduate degree.

Note: Candidates admitted directly from CEGEP or a Quebec French Baccalaureate who are interested in practising in the United States should be aware that bar admission requirements in a number of states include studies at the university level before studying law.
Note: Applicants are not eligible to apply directly from a French Baccalaureate program completed outside of Quebec or from high school. Applicants must meet the eligibility requirement mentioned above.
Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2019-2020 (last updated Aug. 13, 2019) (disclaimer)

Language Requirements

Language Requirements

91˿Ƶ's integrated program is offered in a bilingual environment. Candidates must demonstrate substantial reading ability in, and aural comprehension of, both English and French. Reading of complex substantive texts in French and English are assigned in all first-year courses and in many upper-year courses, irrespective of the language of instruction of the course.

The Faculty's policy of passive bilingualism permits students to submit written work, write exams, and ask questions in class in either English or French, regardless of the language of instruction. Students may fulfil their Moot Court requirements in English or French. First-year courses are offered in English and French, and a number of upper-year courses are offered in one language only. While examination questions are set in the language in which a course is given, any examination may contain extensive passages in either French or English.

In order to get a sense of the level of reading comprehension that is expected of 91˿Ƶ Law students, candidates are encouraged to visit the website of the and to read judgments in English and in French.

Candidates intending to proceed to the Bar of Quebec or the Board of Notaries of Quebec should carefully review University Regulations and Resources > Undergraduate > Admission to Professional and Graduate Studies > Language Requirements for Professions. The Charter of the French Language imposes certain mandatory language requirements on attorneys and notaries who practise in Quebec.

Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2019-2020 (last updated Aug. 13, 2019) (disclaimer)

Indigenous Applicants

Indigenous Applicants to the B.C.L./LL.B. Program

91˿Ƶ Law is committed to recruiting and supporting Indigenous students and we welcome dialogue with prospective BCL/LLB applicants. First Nations, Inuit and Métis persons are strongly encouraged to apply to the Faculty of Law, and are invited to self-identify on their application form.

We do not have a separate applicant category for Indigenous students or applicants from other under-represented groups in view of our overall holistic process. However, self-identification allows 91˿Ƶ to inform Indigenous students of specific services and funding opportunities and to assess our progress in the recruitment and retention of Indigenous students. Self-identification includes 'Status,' 'Treaty,' 'Registered', 'Non-Status,' and 'Non-Registered' Indigenous persons.

Linguistic Support

We acknowledge that our bilingualism admission requirement may represent an added challenge for some Indigenous applicants for whom English or French may be their third language, and potentially perceived as a colonizing influence. Applicants are encouraged not to exclude themselves from applying on linguistic grounds, and are encouraged to speak with us regarding any concerns on this point. Financial support is available to admitted Indigenous candidates who wish to improve their abilities in English or French before starting the program. Financial support is also available to help deal with a relative weakness in English or French during legal studies here. This program is generously supported by the McCarthy Tétrault Fund for Language Training. Please contact us to find out how we can support you.

Indigenous Research Opportunities

91˿Ƶ offers Indigenous students the opportunity to study and complete research with a wide range of legal scholars in English and French. The Faculty is host to a vibrant Indigenous Law Association and the Aboriginal Human Rights Initiatives. 91˿Ƶ also gives Indigenous students the possibility to acquire practical experience working at the Legal Clinic at Kahnawà:ke, to participate in the Faculty's L.E.X. (Law-Éducation-Connexion) program with the Kahnawà:ke Survival School, as well as the chance to participate in the national Kawaskimhon Moot or to complete a Minor at 91˿Ƶ in Indigenous Studies. Students can apply to partake in a term away at the , and the .

Indigenous students may be eligible for numerous sources of financial support.

First Peoples' House

91˿Ƶ's First Peoples' House provides a sense of community and a voice for Indigenous students who have left their communities to study at 91˿Ƶ. A “home away from home”, First Peoples’ House offers a mentorship program, computer facilities, guest lectures, elder visits, academic counselling, an ever expanding resource centre, as well as student housing.

Pre-law program for Native People

The Native Law Centre at the University of Saskatchewan offers a Summer Program that is designed to prepare students for the challenges and rigours of law school and to facilitate a smoother transition into the law school environment. We encourage all incoming Indigenous students to consider taking this course before beginning their legal studies.

Additional Supporting Documents

In addition to self-identifying on the application form, Indigenous applicants to the Faculty of Law are encouraged to upload one additional supporting document. This document should be a separate letter, in addition to the personal statement, and is meant to allow applicants to elaborate on their Indigenous identity in relation to their admission candidacy to 91˿Ƶ Law. This document may address any systemic barriers you have faced as an Indigenous person, or how your identification with and connection to your Indigenous community has affected your educational path and goals. You may also include, as part of that document, a letter of support from a representative within your community. This additional document will allow the 91˿Ƶ Committee to incorporate relevant context when it is applying our Faculty’s holistic admission evaluation process and to take into consideration the educational experiences particular to members of an Indigenous community.

Indigenous Student Financial Assistance

91˿Ƶ has established a funding program for Indigenous students, made possible in part by Indspire, an Indigenous-led registered charity that invests in the education of Indigenous peoples of Canada.

Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2019-2020 (last updated Aug. 13, 2019) (disclaimer)

Honesty and Integrity in the Application Process

Honesty and Integrity in the Application Process

91˿Ƶ and the Faculty of Law value honesty and integrity. Applicants to the Faculty of Law are expected to conduct themselves accordingly. The submission of false, incomplete, inconsistent, or misleading information, or any omission that may result in a false or misleading conclusion, constitutes misconduct in the admission process. Instances of such misconduct include, as examples: the submission of a personal statement that was not written by the applicant, and failure to disclose an LSAT score.

A finding of misconduct in the application process may lead—and has led in the past—to a refusal or, if an offer of admission has already been extended, a withdrawal of the offer at the sole discretion of the University. Intent is not an element of a finding of misconduct.

As a member school of the Law School 91˿Ƶ Council (LSAC), 91˿Ƶ’s Faculty of Law reserves the right to report any misconduct to the LSAC’s for its investigation.

Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2019-2020 (last updated Aug. 13, 2019) (disclaimer)
Faculty of Law—2019-2020 (last updated Aug. 13, 2019) (disclaimer)
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