Osgoode Hall Law School of York University

Transcription

1 Osgoode Hall Law School of York University Introduction York University s Osgoode Hall Law School was founded in 1889 and is now one of the largest common law law schools in the country. Osgoode has led the most important developments in Canadian legal education. Our commitment to excellence, along with our leadership role in legal education and research, and our belief in the essential role of law in society, make us a truly great law school. Our internationally recognized, full-time faculty members are the strongest in the country. Our adjunct professors, primarily drawn from the Toronto Bar, are also gifted teachers and practitioners. Together, we are an engaged community with professors and students encouraging a positive and supportive learning environment through interaction inside and outside the classroom. Our diverse and talented students embody a variety of academic, social, cultural and work experiences that add to the richness of our Juris Doctor (JD) program. Our program is unparalleled in Canada and spans the spectrum in terms of range, coverage and diversity of perspectives. For greater detail about our faculty, students and programs, including our Experiential Education and Exchange programs, visit: We take enormous pride in the accomplishments of our 15,000 alumni who include Chief Justices, judges, cabinet members, legal professionals and academics, as well as business and community leaders. Our graduates personify the spirit of service to society articulated in our motto, Through Law to Justice. Mission Statement Osgoode Hall Law School s admissions policy and procedure stresses excellence and equity. We admit an outstanding class of students whose academic abilities, varied experiences and sustained engagement make a continuing social and intellectual contribution to the Law School, the legal profession and the community. Our admissions policy identifies a diverse and exceptional group of students with a commitment to excellence, demonstrated through academic and other contributions to society. Together with our renowned faculty and dedicated staff, these students form a vibrant intellectual community that contributes to Osgoode s international reputation for leadership in legal education, thoughtful and creative scholarship, and promoting social justice. We encourage our students, as part of their education, to be critically aware of, and intimately involved in, access to justice and the advancement of the public interest. Through diverse career paths, our students develop into leaders in all areas of professional and public life. Osgoode s historical and contemporary role in diversifying and reshaping the legal profession is second to none. Our admissions policy recognizes, fosters and celebrates excellence and equity. We consider academic and LSAT results, significant achievements, and the ways in which social inequality affects students with a demonstrated capacity who wish to pursue a legal education. Our admissions policy encourages students to identify any barriers they face in seeking to enter the legal profession. We place a priority on opening doors to communities that were traditionally under represented in the legal profession. In creating each class we look for those who can demonstrate intellectual achievement and a passion for learning and service. We welcome applications from individuals who have demonstrated, through the length and quality of their non-academic experience, an ability to successfully complete the JD program. First-Year Applicants General Applicants Please use the General category when you apply to the first-year JD program (or one of the joint programs) unless you feel you qualify to apply in the Indigenous category. General Academic Requirement You must successfully complete a minimum of three full years at a recognized university in a program leading to a degree (90 credit hours of study) to be eligible for consideration. Last revised: August 20, 2015 OLSAS

2 Admission decisions are made on the basis of a holistic assessment of your entire file (in line with Osgoode s admission policy objectives, as stated in the Mission Statement). Successful applicants generally have an A- average overall (includes all years of study) and an LSAT in the 80 th percentile, or better. Significantly stronger results on the LSAT or the CGPA may compensate for a less competitive LSAT or CGPA. Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis. As such, we encourage you to take the LSAT before the February test date. In addition, please note that decisions may be made before final transcripts are issued. The above requirements are for eligibility purposes only. Meeting them does not guarantee admission. Applicants With Less Than Three Years of University Osgoode welcomes applications from individuals who have demonstrated, through the length and quality of their non-academic experience, an ability to successfully complete the JD program. You are eligible to apply if: you have not attended university or have less than three years of university (as of June 1 of the admission year); you are at least 26 years of age (as of September 1 of the admission year); and you have a minimum of five years of non-academic experience. Indigenous Canadian Applicants Osgoode Hall Law School is concerned that Indigenous people do not have substantial representation in the legal profession and, accordingly, strongly encourages applications from such candidates. As an Indigenous applicant, you must provide some form of documentation that corroborates your identification with, and connection to, your Indigenous community. The Admissions Committee s decision to admit you ultimately depends on its judgment of your ability to successfully complete law school. At times, the Committee may determine it has insufficient evidence to definitively decide whether to make an offer of admission. In such a case, admission to Osgoode Hall Law School may be conditional upon successfully completing the Program of Legal Studies for Native People at the University of Saskatchewan, which provides a law school preparation program during the summer preceding the first year of the JD program. In addition, you must receive a positive recommendation for admission to the Law School by the Director of the Program. If you successfully satisfy the conditions of the offer, you are automatically granted advanced standing credit for Property Law at Osgoode. In addition, a tuition credit equal to the value of the Osgoode Property Law course will be applied to your student account. If you are offered a non-conditional acceptance, attending the program at Saskatchewan is optional. Osgoode does not require you to complete the summer program at Saskatchewan, as a condition of entry into first year. For more information about the Program of Legal Studies for Native People, write to the Native Law Centre at the University of Saskatchewan or visit: Law School Admission Test (LSAT) You are required to take the LSAT. Osgoode considers your highest result, as reported by the Law School Admission Council in the application. LSAT scores for the past five years (i.e., back to, and including, June 2011) may be used. You must complete the LSAT by February Note: If you wish to apply for Osgoode s Income Contingent Loan Program, you must complete the LSAT by December For more details, see Income Contingent Loan Program. Both first-year applicants and upper-year (transfer) applicants must provide an LSAT score. If you are an upper-year transfer applicant and did not write the LSAT, you must register for the June LSAT in the same year you apply. Personal Statement You must complete the Supplemental Information Form and Personal Statement. The purpose of the personal statement is to provide information to the Admissions Committee that will assist in making an informed and thoughtful decision (see the Personal Statement section on page 20 for details). Confidential References You must provide at least two letters of reference (academic or non-academic). At least one academic letter is preferred. Please select referees who have extensive personal knowledge of you and are in a position to make statements concerning your academic capabilities, character, personal qualities, employment performance and/or volunteer capacity, and special circumstances, if applicable. Letters of reference must be confidential and must be submitted directly by the referee to OLSAS. 18 OLSAS 2016 Last revised: August 20, 2015

3 Transcripts Official transcripts are required for all postsecondary study and must be sent directly to OLSAS from the institution. Foreign and Private Universities Please ensure that your foreign credentials are equivalent to those of a recognized Canadian university degree before you apply. An evaluation of foreign credentials (based on a course-by-course assessment) that specifies Canadian degree, grade and credit hour equivalency from the World Education Services (WES) is required. Language Proficiency You must provide proof of English-language proficiency if one of the following applies to you: English is not your first language; or You have not completed at least one year of full-time study at an accredited postsecondary institution in a country (or institution) where English is the official language of instruction. Extended-Time Program The Extended-Time Program allows a limited number of students, whose life circumstances prevent them from engaging in a full-time study program, to reduce their courses to approximately half the required course load. The decision to admit you to the first year of the Extended-Time Program is made only after you are admitted to Osgoode on a full-time basis. Upon acceptance of your place in the JD program, you must submit a statement to the Admissions Committee as soon as possible, explaining why you are unable to carry a full course load. If you are an upper-year student, you may apply to enter the Extended-Time Program at any time in your law studies by submitting a written request and supporting rationale(s) to the Assistant Dean, Students. The Admissions Committee believes such rationales would include, but not be limited to: pregnancy and childbirth; family obligations such as child care or care of elderly, ill or disabled family members; temporary or long-term student illness or disability; and extreme financial hardship. Decisions are normally made in July. Personal Statement All applicants must complete the Supplemental Information Form and Personal Statement. The purpose of the personal statement is to provide information to the Admissions Committee that will assist in making an informed and thoughtful decision on your application. Note: Aspects of the application will need to be corroborated. You must provide the names and contact information of references for the activities listed in your Autobiographical Sketch. In addition to these verifiers, provide, as necessary, medical documentation, proof of economic difficulties and/or of performance considerations. Letters from individuals with a precise knowledge of your circumstances, as discussed in the personal statement, are acceptable. The personal statement consists of two parts: Part A and Part B. All applicants must complete Part A. Part B is optional and should only be answered if one or more of the following considerations apply to you: 1. Equity Equity factors relate to systemic barriers to equal access to educational opportunities. Most often, the barriers that give rise to equity concerns take the form of substantial discrimination on grounds recognized in the Ontario Human Rights Code or Osgoode s Equality Resolution (race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, religion, political orientation, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, family status or disability). Economic disadvantage is also an equity factor. Examples of candidate experiences: Growing up in family circumstances that are not conducive to educational achievement (e.g., family size, level of parental education, quality of support or other factors) Growing up in a low-income community or household Living with physical, psychological, sensory or learning disabilities Overcoming substance abuse Working substantial hours in paid employment while a full-time student, as required by economic circumstances Facing discrimination or other barriers to higher education as a recent Canadian immigrant Undertaking personal care-giving or other unpaid responsibilities, as required by family and/or economic circumstances 2. Work or Life Experience For some applicants, work or life experience, rather than academic achievement, is the best indicator of their suitability and capacity for legal education. Last revised: August 20, 2015 OLSAS

4 For example, this would apply if you: did not pursue any postsecondary education; or have been out of an academic environment for several years. You may wish to highlight how your experiences demonstrate that you possess the skills necessary to succeed in law school. Examples of candidate experiences: Achieving leadership roles at work Managing the demands of full-time parenting Overcoming personal adversities Demonstrating commitment to life-long learning Making significant contributions to work or community, whether paid or unpaid 3. Performance Considerations These considerations apply if you have special circumstances or non-academic commitments that negatively impacted a portion of your academic performance. Examples of candidate experiences: Significant involvement in student government or high-level sports Significant health issues Lack of accommodation for a disability that impeded LSAT performance Illness/death of a parent or close family member 4. Diversity Osgoode aspires to admit an entering class that is enriched by contributions from perspectives and experiences that fully reflect the diversity of the Canadian population. Diversity factors extend beyond equity factors to include considerations that may not be related to systemic barriers to equal access to education. Particular attention is paid to exceptional personal characteristics or experiences that are under represented in the Osgoode student body or in the legal profession. Examples of candidate experiences: Place of residence (e.g., where you lived as a child) Languages understood and spoken Cultural background Religious or conscientious beliefs Age Other special skills, talents or experiences that have produced a distinct intellectual perspective Joint Program Options JD/MBA Joint Program Osgoode Hall Law School, in conjunction with York University s Schulich School of Business, offers a four year program leading to a joint Juris Doctor/ Master of Business Administration (JD/MBA) degree. In the four-year joint program, you spend your first year in either the Law School or the School of Business, your second year in the first year of the other program and the remaining two years taking courses in both programs. As a successful applicant, you will be asked to select the program in which you prefer to commence your studies. While such preferences are given utmost consideration, the faculties of both schools reserve the right to designate initial programs. A three-year study option is also available. This option requires you to begin in the MBA program in the summer term, and condense year one and two into 16 months of continuous study. Applicants to the joint program must apply separately and satisfy the entrance requirements of each program, including writing the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) and the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT). For more detailed information about the program and the Schulich application process and deadlines, visit or call JD/MES Joint Program The Juris Doctor/Master in Environmental Studies (JD/MES) joint program, offered by Osgoode Hall Law School and the Faculty of Environmental Studies (FES), was established in It is the first and only program of its kind in Canada. The purpose of the joint program is to encourage integration of these two critical fields and to prepare students for a range of opportunities in environmental affairs, law or planning. This unique program brings together one of Canada s premier law schools with one of its most innovative environmental studies faculties. The program draws upon Osgoode s recognized strength in social justice, environmental planning, and Indigenous law, as well as the Faculty of Environmental Studies acclaimed leadership in interdisciplinary environmental education. This joint program requires a minimum of three and two-thirds years of full-time study, including full time registration during the fall, winter and spring/summer academic terms. You may commence your studies 20 OLSAS 2016 Last revised: August 20, 2015

5 either at the FES or Osgoode. In year one, you register full time in one faculty and complete the first year of that faculty s program. In year two you complete the first year program at the other faculty. During years three and four you register full time at Osgoode during the fall and winter terms. You spend the summer after year three at FES, working on your MES degree. You must apply and be admitted separately to the MES and JD programs and indicate your interest in the joint program on your applications. Upon admission to both faculties, you are admitted automatically to the joint program. For more information about the JD/MES program, visit: jd program/jd-admissions/joint-combined-programs/ jd-mes/. JD/MA in Philosophy Joint Program The Juris Doctor/Master of Arts in Philosophy (JD/MA [Phil]) joint program, offered by Osgoode Hall Law School and the Department of Philosophy at York University, provides students with the opportunity to develop skills and acquire knowledge at the intersection of the naturally related disciplines of law and philosophy. It is the only program of its kind in Canada, and draws on Osgoode s strength in legal theory and the Department of Philosophy s strength in moral, political, and legal philosophy. The program is ideal for students who wish to pursue further postgraduate study and ultimately an academic career, or opportunities in a variety of careers in legal practice. You must apply, meet the admission requirements and be admitted separately to both the JD and MA programs, and indicate your interest in the dual program on your application. In the first year of the program you complete the first year of the JD program. In the second year you enter the MA program on a full-time basis and complete the course work component of the MA degree. In the third and fourth years you return to the JD program, but also take an additional graduate course in philosophy, as well as complete a major research paper on a topic at the intersection of law and philosophy, jointly supervised by a faculty member in the law program and a faculty member in the philosophy program. Successful completion of the dual program is validated by issuing two degrees, one for the JD and one for the MA, and transcripts issued in relation to the two programs include a clear statement of the nature of the dual program. For more information about the JD/MA (Phil) joint program, visit: jd-program/jd-admissions/joint-combinedprograms/jd-ma-philosophy/ Or contact one of the program s directors: Professor Michael Giudice (giudice@yorku.ca) Professor Francois Tanguay-Renaud (ftanguay-renaud@osgoode.yorku.ca) JD/BCL Dual Degree Program Osgoode Hall Law School and the Université de Montréal, Faculté de Droit have established a program for granting the Osgoode degree in common law and the Montréal degree in civil law for law graduates from either institution. As an Osgoode JD graduate, you are given two years advanced standing toward the Montréal civil law degree and, upon successfully completing one year of study in civil law at l Université de Montréal, you will be awarded the Montréal Bachelor of Civil Law degree. Likewise, as a Montréal graduate, you are granted two years advanced standing at Osgoode and can obtain the Osgoode JD degree with one year of study. You apply to your faculty in your third year of study, for consideration to complete your fourth year at either Osgoode or Montréal. In your fourth year at either school, you must complete, on a full-time basis, a number of first-year courses. You then have the option to enroll in a variety of upper-year courses. If you are selected for this program, you will receive bursary funding and may also be eligible for a travel subsidy (this funding is subject to confirmation each year from the Department of Justice). Student Financial Services Osgoode Hall Law School continues to expand and strengthen its financial assistance programs. Last year, we awarded more than $4 million in total funding to students. Our primary objective is to ensure that all students who are admitted to the Law School have the necessary financial information, resources and support to complete their studies. Online Financial Statement You are asked to complete the Online Financial Statement as part of your application to Osgoode Hall Law School. The information provided has no bearing on the merits of your application or your eligibility to enter law school. Rather, it is required Last revised: August 20, 2015 OLSAS

6 by all first-year students who wish to be considered for entrance scholarships and the Early Bursary Notification Program. If you do not complete the Online Financial Statement when you apply, you will not be considered for entrance scholarships or the Early Bursary Notification Program. Scholarships and Awards Osgoode Hall Law School is proud of its numerous scholarships and awards and is grateful to the many alumni, friends, law firms and corporations who have generously donated to the Law School. Financial assistance at Osgoode has been buoyed by the Ontario government s gift matching program. Today, Osgoode is pleased to have a substantial total award endowment dedicated to students. Osgoode offers numerous entrance scholarships on the basis of academic excellence and financial need. By applying to Osgoode Hall Law School, you are automatically considered for all scholarships and awards, provided you have completed the mandatory Online Financial Statement along with your application. Scholarships range in size from a few thousand dollars to our most prestigious, renewable entrance scholarships, valued at $30,000 over three years of study. In your upper years, you are eligible for additional scholarships, course prizes and medals, which are awarded primarily on the basis of academic merit, as well as internship funding and post graduation awards. Comprehensive Bursary Program Osgoode fully understands the increasing financial shortfalls and mounting debt that students who enter law school face today. For this reason, in , we anticipate awarding more than $3 million in bursaries to students with financial need. Bursaries are non-repayable grants that help offset student debt. The online bursary application may be completed in early September and bursary allocations are made in November. To be eligible, you must apply for both government funding and a student line of credit, as well as provide documentation to support the financial information reported in your online application. Decisions are based on a variety of factors, including a student s resource-expense shortfall, accumulated educational debt, and personal circumstances, such as dependants, medical expenses and other living expenses. Annual bursaries may range from $1,200 to $10,000 for those students documenting the highest level of financial need. As a student entering Osgoode in fall 2016, you can take advantage of our Early Bursary Notification Program, which allows Osgoode, at the time of acceptance, to conservatively estimate if you qualify for a bursary. To access this program, you must complete the Online Financial Statement when you apply to law school. If you do not receive an early bursary notification, you are still strongly encouraged to apply to Osgoode s bursary program in September as your financial circumstances may change when you begin the JD program. If you do receive an early bursary notification, you must still apply to the bursary program in September to provide complete financial information and supporting documentation so the Student Financial Services Office can assess your level of need. Professional Student Line of Credit A number of financial institutions, including Royal Bank of Canada and Scotiabank, offer professional student lines of credit. We encourage you to find the program that works best for you. You may obtain a student line of credit from any financial institution for bursary application purposes. The Student Financial Services Office is pleased to provide guidance or contacts to help you learn more about what assistance is available. On-Site Financial Services Office Osgoode has a fully staffed Student Financial Services Office that is responsible for the ongoing development and administration of Osgoode s student financial assistance programs. The staff are available to discuss individual financial concerns and offer guidance. The Office also created, and regularly updates, an external award database that provides information about externally funded awards, prizes, essay competitions and more. Contact Information For additional information about Student Financial Services at Osgoode and a detailed list of all of our awards, scholarships, bursaries and other forms of assistance, visit: resources and-services/financial-services/. Student Financial Services Office Telephone: financialservices@osgoode.yorku.ca Income Contingent Loan Program Overview and Objectives As part of our commitment to promoting the financial accessibility of law school, we designed an innovative Income Contingent Loan Program (ICLP) that provides bursary and loan funding for the cost of tuition. For 2016, we will select five eligible students to participate in the ICLP. The recipients will not pay tuition while they are law students, but will agree to repay the entirety of their loan, after graduation, over a 10-year period. The loan repayment for those years may be forgiven in whole, or in part, based on the income level in any of the years of the repayment period. 22 OLSAS 2016 Last revised: August 20, 2015

7 The primary objective of the ICLP is accessibility through opportunity. The ICLP encourages and enables highly talented and qualified potential law students to apply for admission to Osgoode when they otherwise would not have, due to the sticker shock of tuition and other financial barriers. In addition, the ICLP enables participants to pursue careers after law school without the burden of significant debt and overwhelming loan repayment obligations impacting their choices. Loan Amount In each of the three years of law school, the loan will be the amount of tuition minus $10,000 ($10,000 will be covered by a bursary each year). E.g., If you start your legal studies in September 2016, you will receive loans totalling approximately $50,000 and bursaries totalling approximately $30,000 over the three years of law school. Application and Selection Process Before November 1: If you wish to apply for the ICLP, you must complete the Online Financial Statement and the Supplemental ICLP Form before the November 1 application deadline. The Supplemental ICLP Form includes written responses to augment the financial information you provide as part of your Online Financial Statement. You will be able to access these forms through your Osgoode-specific OLSAS submissions. December-February: Offers of admission to ICLP applicants include a reminder that you must provide supporting documentation to Osgoode s Student Financial Services Office within two weeks of receiving your offer of admission. Your supporting documentation must be provided by in a single PDF document. March: If you are short-listed, you will be interviewed in early March by a panel of two Admissions Committee members and one Student Financial Services Office member. ICLP offers will be communicated by March 25. April 1: The deadline date to respond to the ICLP and the admissions offers. Note: Due to the timing described above, the February LSAT score will not be considered for ICLP applicants. Eligibility and Selection Eligibility and selection criteria for the ICLP include high financial need and an aptitude for legal studies. Selection is based on the most compelling circumstances. Recipients will be highly talented potential law students who have high financial need due to the financial or other barriers they may face in accessing legal education. 1. Financial need: At a minimum, to be eligible, you must meet the criteria for receiving a high-need bursary from Osgoode. The basic criterion will be a resource-expense shortfall of greater than $20,000. Other factors include: Barriers faced in obtaining equal access to education; Assets (real property and chattels); Debt load (in past years, high-need bursary recipients have had debt loads of greater than $30,000); and Extraordinary expenses, such as caregiving and medical expenses. 2. Aptitude for legal studies: The holistic admissions criteria will be re-applied with a view to selecting the most highly talented and qualified law students. You will be required to provide documentation that demonstrates your continued eligibility for the ICLP in your second and third years of the program. Supporting Documentation If admitted to Osgoode, you will be asked to submit supporting documentation for your ICLP application. Osgoode s Student Financial Services Office must receive this documentation within two weeks after you receive your offer of admission. Refer to the Supplemental ICLP Form for a list of required documents. Repayment Plan and Timing The expectation is that you will begin to repay your loans approximately two years after you graduate from the JD program. You will have up to 10 years to repay your loan. Each year during the repayment period, you will be expected to pay back one-tenth of your loan and an annual administrative fee of $750. Annual loan repayments are due once per year in July. Loan Forgiveness You must apply to have a loan installment considered for loan forgiveness. Along with your application, you are expected to supply Osgoode s Office of the Executive Officer with proof of your individual or household gross income (i.e., notice of assessment) from the previous tax year. All or a portion of your loan and annual administrative fee may be forgiven. If your income is below a minimum threshold, your entire year s repayment amount (loan plus administrative fee) will be forgiven. Last revised: August 20, 2015 OLSAS

8 If your income is above an upper threshold, there will be no loan forgiveness. If you fall in between these income thresholds, a portion of the loan will be forgiven, along a sliding scale. In most cases, loan forgiveness is determined on individual gross income. However, when your income is below the minimum threshold and there is a second income in your household, it is expected that you report household gross income. The median household income is applied to the loan repayment grid to determine if loan forgiveness will be granted. In exceptional cases, extenuating circumstances may persuade the Law School to disregard the second household income when assessing for loan forgiveness. Accelerated Repayment You can repay your entire loan at any time. You will only be charged the administrative fee for the years in which you have an outstanding loan balance. E.g., If you repay your entire loan in the first year of your repayment schedule, you will only pay the $750 administrative fee once. Special Circumstances You can request a repayment deferral by providing proof of enrollment in full-time postsecondary studies, to a maximum of two years. Upper-Year Admission Programs All upper-year applications, including National Committee on Accreditation (NCA) applications, are due on May 1, You must submit all documentation directly to OLSAS. Transcripts, confidential letters of reference and NCA recommendations must be received by June 30, 2016, to be considered. Decisions on transfer, Letter of Permission and NCA applications are typically made in July. The number of openings in each upper-year category is dependent on the internal attrition rates at Osgoode, and is usually quite small. A complete upper-year application package includes: An OLSAS online application form An upper-year Supplemental Information Form A personal statement A transcript of law grades The home law school s current grading practices (where available) Undergraduate transcripts (transfer applicants) A valid LSAT score (transfer applicants) Note: Scores back to, and including, June 2011 are accepted (see LSAT section). A current academic letter of reference from a law professor who has taught you (transfer and Letter of Permission applicants) Corroborative documents (where applicable) A letter of permission from your home law school (Letter of Permission applicants) A copy of the NCA recommendation letter and all results from the NCA for any challenge exams undertaken (NCA applicants) All upper-year applicants must provide proof of English-language proficiency unless English is your first language or you completed at least one year of full time study at an accredited postsecondary institution in a country (or institution) where English is the official language of instruction. For more information, visit: jd program/jd-admissions/application-components/ english-language-proficiency-examinations/. Transfer and Letter of Permission Applicants If you successfully completed a minimum of one year at another law school, you may apply to transfer to the second year of the JD program at Osgoode Hall Law School. You must have completed at least one year of a common law program that the Admissions Committee judges to be the substantial equivalent of Osgoode s first-year program (including courses in Canadian Criminal Law, Contract Law, Tort Law, Property Law, Canadian Constitutional Law, Civil Procedure, Legal Research and Writing, and Canadian Legal Ethics). If accepted, and if you have not already done so during your first year of law school, you will also be required to complete: a course in Administrative Law, or the not for credit online module Principles of Administrative Law; and a course in Business Associations, or the not for credit online module Fiduciary Relationships in Commercial Context. These courses are available in the upper years of the Osgoode JD Program. You will receive the JD degree from Osgoode Hall Law School upon successfully completing all pertinent requirements, including completing any unmet, required first-year courses. If you are currently studying at another law school, you may apply to enroll for a maximum of one year at Osgoode Hall Law School on a letter of permission basis. Although studying at Osgoode, your work would be credited toward your law degree at your home law school. The law school giving the letter of permission would reserve the right to approve your program of study with regard to course load and 24 OLSAS 2016 Last revised: August 20, 2015

9 content. If you are admitted on a letter of permission basis, you are not eligible to transfer into Osgoode s JD program. Ordinarily, you are considered for admission as a transfer or Letter of Permission applicant only if you have obtained a minimum B average in your previous law study. In recent years, successful transfer students have typically had at least a B+ average in their first-year law studies. An indication of class rank or standing should be included in at least one reference, if it is not included on your law school transcript. At least one academic reference must be provided from a law professor who can comment on your abilities. The Admissions Committee will consider your complete application, including undergraduate grades and LSAT (transfer applicants), quality of institution, grade distribution, reasons for the application, and Osgoode s ability to accommodate any required first year courses. The Admissions Committee will generally make decisions in accordance with the following priorities: 1. Up to one-half of the available positions will be awarded to applicants on the basis of the strength of their law school academic records to date. It is therefore critical that we receive an indication of your standing relative to the rest of your class. 2. No less than one-half of the available positions will be awarded to applicants who demonstrate compelling, compassionate circumstances that require a transfer to Osgoode Hall Law School. Academic qualifications are not ignored in this subgroup; rather, they are used to aid in deciding between candidates who demonstrate comparable compassionate circumstances. Within this subgroup, priority will be given to: persons who must re-locate to the Toronto area due to their own medical condition or that of an immediate family member; persons who demonstrate extreme financial hardship occasioned by study outside of the Toronto area; and persons who would be separated from their dependants where separation to date has been extensive and commuting is not a viable option. National Committee on Accreditation Applicants (Quebec and Foreign-Trained Lawyers) Osgoode Hall Law School is prepared to admit a limited number of applicants as non-degree students when their law studies and experience are assessed by the National Committee on Accreditation (NCA). Successful applicants are admitted to upper-year courses offered at the Law School, subject to space availability, to meet the Canadian JD equivalency requirement as set out in the NCA recommendation letter. Osgoode does not offer any first-year courses to NCA students. Students admitted to meet the law course requirements set by the NCA do not receive the Osgoode JD degree. The primary criterion for assessing applications is the perceived likelihood that you will successfully complete the required program of study as set out in the NCA recommendation letter. The Admissions Committee will consider your complete application, including the results of your NCA Challenge Examinations and Osgoode s ability to accommodate your placement in upper-year courses. Preference is given to applicants who: are required to complete upper-year courses in which there is availability; and were unsuccessful in meeting such course requirements by way of NCA Challenge Examinations. NCA applicants should be advised that interviews for articling placement in Ontario generally take place during the summer, one full year prior to the start of the placement. You are advised to contact the Law Society of Upper Canada, Office of the Registrar, to confirm procedures and deadline dates, by calling Housing Welcome to Osgoode Chambers As an Osgoode student, you will have access to convenient on-campus housing options at York University. In particular, you will have the benefit of applying to live in Osgoode Chambers, a comfortable and affordable home away from home located minutes from the Law School, and reserved for law and graduate students. In addition to establishing great friendships and professional relationships from the start, this residence allows access to upper-year mentors who offer invaluable support and guidance as you begin your legal studies at Osgoode. As an incoming first-year student who firmly accepts Osgoode s offer of admission, you are guaranteed an offer of accommodation at Osgoode Chambers if you apply by June 15. You may choose to remain in your apartment for the entire three years of your program or for one or more semesters only. You are required to provide 60 days written notice to vacate. Suites are allocated on a first-come, first served basis starting in May. Applications received after June 15 and throughout the summer are offered accommodation based on availability after the guarantees. For further information, visit: prospective-students/jd-program/life-osgoode/ osgoode-chambers/. Last revised: August 20, 2015 OLSAS

10 Supplemental Information for All Applicants Deferral of Admission You are encouraged to apply in the year in which you wish to enroll. Requests by newly admitted first-year applicants for a one-year deferral are considered on an individual first-come, first-served basis and are granted in exceptional circumstances (maximum of 20 per year) at the discretion of the Assistant Dean, Students, and the Chair of the Admissions Committee. For more information, admissions@osgoode.yorku.ca. Interviews The Admissions Committee may, on occasion and by invitation, interview you to assist in the selection process. You are primarily assessed on the basis of application documentation. You may not request a personal interview. Reconsiderations The Admissions Committee may reconsider an application only in the case of a procedural anomaly in the administrative process. You must contact the Admissions Office within 10 days of the decision date and direct inquiries to: admissions@osgoode.yorku.ca. Note: Reconsideration of a file is based solely on the information available at the time of the Committee s original decision. Fee Waivers Application for a waiver of the Osgoode portion of the application fee ($90) can be obtained by ing: admissions@osgoode.yorku.ca. You must demonstrate financial hardship and provide corroborative documentation. Requests should be made prior to the November 1, 2015, application deadline to ensure a timely application. Late Applications All application materials are due at OLSAS by November 1, The Admissions Committee strongly believes that adhering to the deadline (with exception only for compelling and extenuating circumstances) is the best way to ensure fairness among all applicants. Requests for late applications should be directed to: admissions@osgoode.yorku.ca. False or Misleading Information Providing false or misleading information or failure to provide material information will invalidate the application and will result in immediate rejection or in the revocation of admission and/or registration. Inquiries Please direct all OLSAS inquiries to OLSAS (e.g., inquiries about application submissions or the receipt of documents). Admission and application inquiries should be directed to Osgoode Hall Law School. admissions@osgoode.yorku.ca Telephone: Fax: Website: In Person or By Mail: Osgoode Hall Law School York University 1012 Ignat Kaneff Bldg Keele Street Toronto ON M3J 1P3 For More Information Osgoode invites you to our Fall Open House. To arrange an on-campus visit with a student ambassador or an advising appointment, contact: recruitment@osgoode.yorku.ca. Retention of Materials All materials submitted by you or on your behalf will be used solely for admission purposes and will be kept confidential. The materials become the property of the Law School and may be destroyed following the year the application was made. Previous Applications Osgoode does not retain applications from previous admission cycles. You must re-apply for admission through OLSAS and re-submit all required documentation, including current letters of reference. 26 OLSAS 2016 Last revised: August 20, 2015