618 replies to this topic

[serdog]

Basiced upon last year you should get into UofT

[gridiron]

Is UofT not the hardest one to get into?

Does anyone know why UofS asks for a list of the other schools to which you are applying?
I asked the response was "we just like to know".

Can you simply not answer this question on the application?

Does anyone know to what extent relation to the province plays?

Edited by gridiron, 11 January 2012 - 03:44 PM.

[serdog]

UofT is hard however look at the stats it looks like aboringal candates in that range were admitted last year, evidenace incates that UofT is good with HighGPA/lowLSAT also someone with a lower combo got in last year, also remeber that things change when the catigory changes.
I'm not sure about UofS, I would just go ahead a anwser the querstions.

[gridiron]

where do you find these #s/stats?

i would be very interested in finding this out.

[gridiron]

serdog, on 11 January 2012 - 07:21 PM, said:

UofT is hard however look at the stats it looks like aboringal candates in that range were admitted last year, evidenace incates that UofT is good with HighGPA/lowLSAT also someone with a lower combo got in last year, also remeber that things change when the catigory changes.
I'm not sure about UofS, I would just go ahead a anwser the querstions.

Where do you find these #s/ stats for aboriginal applicants?

[serdog]

There all in here somewhere

[vrx]

So, how's everyone doing with their applications or law school in general? I've heard from a number of students/applicants through PM.

[esther414]

Smartcookie - my stats were similar to yours (lower GPA, higher LSAT) and I was just accepted to both Osgoode and U of T; haven't heard back from any others yet. And I just accepted my offer from U of T.

[riddle]

Cgpa 3.0
Lsat 162
Odds for uvic and ubc?

[serdog]

In at UBC
and
a maybe at UVIC (I got into both with a 3.2 159 but UVIC does put alot of wieght on public service)

[gregyyj]

Hi everyone...

This seems like a helpful thread so I thought I would ask a couple questions. I will likely be applying for admission to a few schools next year, for 2013 entry. I only recently (officially - that is, found record of) my aboriginal ancestry, and have applied for registration with the Métis Nation of Ontario. I am presuming that I will be admitted as a member (my documents are fairly straightforward), but their processing time is about a year. This will likely come in time for applications, but otherwise they informed me that they could write a letter attesting to the presumptive registration. The reason I only just applied with the MNO is that I was aware there was some aboriginal heritage on the one side of my family, but I never had any success researching it until I was encouraged and aided by my employer. Could it look bad that I happened to become a member right around application time?

Do people think that it matters to schools that I am such a "recent" member of an aboriginal group, who has just uncovered this heritage? I do have directly relevant work experience (I worked for AANDC, and am returning to work there soon) that predates my application to the MNO, as well as some relevant volunteer activities. I am also seeking to pursue a career in aboriginal law, though perhaps not to the exclusion of studying other fields.

I suppose I am just looking for some thoughts on how I would focus personal statements, etc. Obviously I have not had the same life experience as many aboriginal candidates who may have been raised in a First Nation, etc. Nonetheless, I think I would still feel comfortable applying as an aboriginal candidate with my legitimate interest in the issues.

If it matters, I am most interested in applying to schools with some level of focus on aboriginal issues, namely UBC. I would probably apply to the UofA as well. As far as UofT goes, I would likely apply just to see what would happen, but I think realistically the cost would deter me. UVic would be an option, but it is also my hometown, and I have enjoyed a certain level of independence living outside of Victoria for the past number of years! I will be writing my LSAT in June, and I have a current OLSAS CGPA of about 3.75. The UBC drops help me considerably, and I am probably around 85% for them. I also have three semesters ahead with relatively "easy" courses left, which means I am hoping to improve on this further (I have hoarded some electives up to this point).

Thanks for any comments, suggestions, criticisms, etc!

[serdog]

It really depends on the school, UBC has a bit of a repuation for being more of a 'card school' oter are different, however it will look good that you did a lot of work,. As I said UVIC could be a bit harder as there a tendedace to look at long term commuity contection. If you can get a LSAT in the mid-150's you should be golden everywhere

[vrx]

gregyyj, on 07 February 2012 - 07:22 AM, said:

Hi everyone...

This seems like a helpful thread so I thought I would ask a couple questions. I will likely be applying for admission to a few schools next year, for 2013 entry. I only recently (officially - that is, found record of) my aboriginal ancestry, and have applied for registration with the Métis Nation of Ontario. I am presuming that I will be admitted as a member (my documents are fairly straightforward), but their processing time is about a year. This will likely come in time for applications, but otherwise they informed me that they could write a letter attesting to the presumptive registration. The reason I only just applied with the MNO is that I was aware there was some aboriginal heritage on the one side of my family, but I never had any success researching it until I was encouraged and aided by my employer. Could it look bad that I happened to become a member right around application time?

Do people think that it matters to schools that I am such a "recent" member of an aboriginal group, who has just uncovered this heritage? I do have directly relevant work experience (I worked for AANDC, and am returning to work there soon) that predates my application to the MNO, as well as some relevant volunteer activities. I am also seeking to pursue a career in aboriginal law, though perhaps not to the exclusion of studying other fields.

I suppose I am just looking for some thoughts on how I would focus personal statements, etc. Obviously I have not had the same life experience as many aboriginal candidates who may have been raised in a First Nation, etc. Nonetheless, I think I would still feel comfortable applying as an aboriginal candidate with my legitimate interest in the issues.

If it matters, I am most interested in applying to schools with some level of focus on aboriginal issues, namely UBC. I would probably apply to the UofA as well. As far as UofT goes, I would likely apply just to see what would happen, but I think realistically the cost would deter me. UVic would be an option, but it is also my hometown, and I have enjoyed a certain level of independence living outside of Victoria for the past number of years! I will be writing my LSAT in June, and I have a current OLSAS CGPA of about 3.75. The UBC drops help me considerably, and I am probably around 85% for them. I also have three semesters ahead with relatively "easy" courses left, which means I am hoping to improve on this further (I have hoarded some electives up to this point).

Thanks for any comments, suggestions, criticisms, etc!

I think your situation is fairly common for Metis people. In my case, my Uncle was the only person I knew of that had a Metis card. He was quite proud of his heritage. On the other hand, my Dad was dismissive of this part of his background and wanted nothing to do with it. It was only later in life that I decided to pursue the nature and history of my own heritage. The Metis seem unique in terms of the social acceptability of claiming it as part of your identity. Many of the Metis I have met look more "white" then the stereotypical view of an Indian that people tend to expect. It has and continues to be a truly invisible minority. Until recently it was largely taboo to claim yourself as Metis or Halfbreed. You were either Indian or white, otherwise you were an outcast in many communities. It is now becoming more acceptible to claim a Metis heritage, and so more and more people are doing so. I don't think it's fair to hold this against an individual who is only now claiming their heritage. To be honest, yes, there are a few advantages to having Metis membership but it does also come with alot of responsibility to the community. I would say as long you are willing to take that responsibility on, that the admissions could not, or at least should not, use your recent membership inclusion against you. Afterall, it is only a card and administrative recognition by the community, you have always been what you are.

It sounds like you have been involved in the community and have a legitimate interest in issues pertaining to Aboriginal people. One thing to remember is that Aboriginal representation is required in all fields of law, not just "Aboriginal law" -- which is a misnomer anyway because what we really mean is "Canadian law as it applies to Aboriginal peoples". Aboriginal law is an actual legal system, not just an area of law. I think it is great that you're genuinely interested in this particular area of practice, but don't feel as though you are confined to this particular area of law. Also, don't be afraid to say so in your personal statement.

Your GPA is certainly around the averages that schools are looking for. Assuming you score at least an average LSAT score, you should be able to get offers from Canadian schools. I am reluctant to digress into a purely numbers based speculation on this thread. The fact is that your entire application is considered when you apply under the Aboriginal category. It is not just a purely numbers-based assessment. If it was then you would just submit your application and tick off the "Aboriginal" box on your application. There are very few Aboriginal law school applicants and the schools have the ability to take their time in assessing them. Consider that a school like UofT gets probably around 2000 applications per year. Of those 2000 maybe 20 are Aboriginal people, in a good year.

[gregyyj]

Thank for your the thoughtful answers.

In response to vrx, yes, your description fits my experience pretty close. My family has mostly said "oh, that's interesting," but left it at that. I am the only one who has applied for registration (and obviously I was the one who did all the research, trips to archives, etc).

Of course, I would not limit myself to study "law as it applies to aboriginal peoples." However, after working at AANDC, it is clearly the area of law that I am most interested in, at least in my current pre-law, instinctual stage. As cliche as it sounds, working there finally showed me something that I feel I could be interested in and passionate about for the rest of my life. During my first two years of university I really bounced between career ideas and interests, but nothing really ever seemed to fit. The past year is the first time I've really been able to have some sort of academic and career direction that I'm quite passionate about. But then again, who knows... Perhaps I'll go to law school and discover a passion for tax law. I'm keeping an open mind.

Don't worry about a "chances" assessment. I realize that I need to write the LSAT first before even thinking about that. I am fairly confident with my GPA though, and it will likely get nudged a fair bit higher this coming year (my CGPA has improved at least slightly every successive semester in university thus far).

As a subsequent question, does anyone know if significant funding is often awarded to aboriginal students at UofT? I ask because going there would be amazing, but without some sort of aid I'm completely unwilling to go into the sort of debt that UofT would incur (I am, thankfully, debt-free at this point). I could easily deal with a 10,000ish a year loan for UBC, but not the astronomical figures that UofT would require. I think though that it would be tough for me to get offered any sort of funding at Toronto with my GPA, unless I had a ridiculous LSAT score.

[klawst]

Well still waiting on application responses. They say that patience is a virtue and sometimes I have it, and sometimes I don't. In any case, there's no choice but to wait.

[riddle]

Have many aboriginal applicants been accepted this cycle yet?

[esther414]

riddle, on 23 February 2012 - 10:13 AM, said:

Have many aboriginal applicants been accepted this cycle yet?

I'm not sure exactly- I've been accepted to two schools. And at the U of T Welcome Day, it sounded like there were 1 or 2 others from up North that weren't able to attend but had received offers.

[jabubs]

riddle, on 23 February 2012 - 10:13 AM, said:

Have many aboriginal applicants been accepted this cycle yet?

Waiting to hear from UofA and UofC.

[vrx]

I'm pretty sure I heard from UofA and C in March.

[Jess25]

I'm also still waiting to hear back. I only applied at the U of S and they don't look at Aboriginal Category applicants until some time in March. My stats aren't that great, so the longer I wait the more discouraged I've been getting.

[klawst]

i know the feeling Jess. I think most schools are assessing aboriginal applicants later in the cycle. And yes, definitely discouraging but I have hope

[serdog]

Most of my offers were in March, if your waiting on UVIC I think it will not be before late march

[riddle]

esther414, on 23 February 2012 - 02:31 PM, said:

I'm not sure exactly- I've been accepted to two schools. And at the U of T Welcome Day, it sounded like there were 1 or 2 others from up North that weren't able to attend but had received offers.

Esther, if you don't mind me asking what were your stats like to get into uoft?
I also can't help but wonder about klawsts and jess' stats. do either of you mind sharing?

Edited by riddle, 27 February 2012 - 11:35 AM.

[klawst]

I scored low on LSAT but hadn't been able to study or practice much as I have been on almost repeated deployments in the Navy. My LSAT score was a 152 on the December LSAT and it was my first sitting. If I don't get in this cycle with that, I'll be practicing lots and trying to improve that score over the next year for next year's cycle. My grades were a Honours degree with an academic average of 76.7%. I have been out of school for 7 years now serving in the military.

[nathan2]

Bump. Good luck to all aboriginal apps this year. I see this thread is a lot less active than last year.

[klawst]

Ya it has seen a lot less activity since it started.

My patience and hope has paid off.

I received an offer at UNB (which I declined after having received offers closer to home and family which military service has taken me away from a lot.). I am probably going to decline the offer I got at U of M the other day (despite a good looking entrance award) because Calgary is closer to home and they seem to have a strong focus in environmental, natural resources and energy law which I am very interested in. Calgary has some pretty attractive features as well and I will be happy to attend there if I don't get into UBC.

I'm waiting to hear back from UBC because it's my top pick at present. I can live for free with family, cycle all year to and from school (transit mix), it has courses and specialty options that I'm really interested including environmental and aboriginal topics, and I can see and build relationships with nieces and nephews I've hardly seen, if I've seen them at all, over the past 8 years of university out east and military service/deployments. I have my fingers crossed for hearing back from UBC soon as I was told I should hear back by the 15th. Here's to hope, but again, I'll be happy at U of C as well methinks.

Anyone else heard back this cycle? Would love to hear/meet others that I may be in 1L with, as well as other aboriginal candidates.

cheers

[riddle]

I've only applied to UBC and Uvic. Still waiting to hear back the same as you. I'm considering a late application to UofT though just for the sake of it. Where did you hear the 15th was when you could expect a response by? (I know some in this thread stated that was roughly when they received theirs last year). Regardless, congrats on the acceptances!

[nathan2]

I'm trying UBC 80%(unconfirmed with drops)/162. Good luck guys. I hope we all make it in. I look forward to providing legal services for the Mikmaq community of PEI/Atlantic Canada. Something close to my heart. I feel like I've come a long way to even have a remote shot at UBC.

[nathan2]

oh and Klawt, I also spent three years enlisted. Let's try and get the good old CF well represented at one of Canada's top schools:P Cya there brother!

Edited by nathan2, 07 March 2012 - 12:10 AM.

[serdog]

I heard numbers are coming down at UBC howeve Nathan a 80%/162 look great for aboriginal admissions