12 replies to this topic

[kaloolah]

Hi guys!
I'm a grade 12 student that's heading off to uOttawa next year. I realize that I'm young and that my plans could change, but I've wanted to be a lawyer since grade seven. Anyway, I'm not asking a question about something that's way off in my future. I noticed that you can switch into a civil law degree at Ottawa after one year of university (this is for people that have not completed Cegep). I would be able to switch for September 2013 .
I have done some research and have found out that some universities offer a one year common law degree for holders of a civil law degree. I'm not from Quebec but I'd love to work there. However, I want to be able to practice in the rest of Canada too. I'm going to take courses in English and French in undergrad. Therefore, my level of French would not be a problem.

I have some questions:

1) What do you guys think about switching into a civil law program and then completing a one year civil law degree (either immediately or later? Is this frowned upon? Would I be missing out on anything?

2) McGill law is my dream school. Would it be pointless to go through their joint degree program if you already had a civil law degree? Would they even let me do that?


Thanks a lot in advance!

Edited by kaloolah, 12 February 2012 - 12:45 PM.

[artsydork]

Undergraduate degrees are also excellent rites of passage and allows you to grow as a burgeoning scholar. I wouldn't recommend switching into the Civil law program with the intent of completing the common law degree portion afterwards. Get a degree and enjoy your time. You're young, take the time to broaden your horizens. It wil only make you a stronger jurist later should you still want to follow that path.

Don't forget, the civil law program is entirely in French.

No, McGill would not allow you to complete the civil law program at U of O then switch to McGill for the common law. It is a transsystemic program. Nor would you be able to transfer from U of O after 1 year as you do not meet the "Cegep entry" requirement. If you want to one day come to McGill, get a degree then apply.

[muffins]

artsydork, on 12 February 2012 - 05:35 PM, said:

Undergraduate degrees are also excellent rites of passage and allows you to grow as a burgeoning scholar. I wouldn't recommend switching into the Civil law program with the intent of completing the common law degree portion afterwards. Get a degree and enjoy your time. You're young, take the time to broaden your horizens. It wil only make you a stronger jurist later should you still want to follow that path.

Don't forget, the civil law program is entirely in French.

No, McGill would not allow you to complete the civil law program at U of O then switch to McGill for the common law. It is a transsystemic program. Nor would you be able to transfer from U of O after 1 year as you do not meet the "Cegep entry" requirement. If you want to one day come to McGill, get a degree then apply.

[kaloolah]

If I wanted to work in QC for a while (say at least 5 years) before moving, what would be a good option? An undergraduate degree and a dual program at Ottawa/ Mcgill/ U de M? or just a civil law degree?

As I said, French really isn't a problem.

Edited by kaloolah, 12 February 2012 - 07:29 PM.

[kaloolah]

**Edit (sorry for the double post)

I meant completing civil law at Ottawa and then doing the entire program at McGill. I was wondering if they would let you complete a second civil law degree.

[muffins]

Have a blast in your under graduate years. Get assign of grades as possible. Start studying for the LSAT now and apply to McGill. You'll get civil and common there at the same time.

It may be difficult to really get what some of us are saying here at 17/18. But you have a lot of maturing to do personally and academically in your undergrad.

High school does not prepare you for university in the slightest. For me, it was a total waste of time academically. Your intellectual challenges will begin in September.

[esther414]

kaloolah, on 12 February 2012 - 11:11 PM, said:

**Edit (sorry for the double post)

I meant completing civil law at Ottawa and then doing the entire program at McGill. I was wondering if they would let you complete a second civil law degree.

I might be misunderstanding something here, but why would you want a second civil law degree? Why not just complete your undergrad then apply for the dual program?

[KER_2012]

esther414, on 13 February 2012 - 09:45 AM, said:

Why not just complete your undergrad then apply for the dual program?

I was thinking the same thing. You're getting a litte ahead of yourself. Do your undergrad in something you're interested in and get good marks, then apply to the dual program.

[staffer]

kaloolah, on 12 February 2012 - 07:28 PM, said:

If I wanted to work in QC for a while (say at least 5 years) before moving, what would be a good option? An undergraduate degree and a dual program at Ottawa/ Mcgill/ U de M? or just a civil law degree?

As I said, French really isn't a problem.

I know it's hard to realize as a 17 year old, but down the road do you really want to be in a position where your plan is "work in place X for 5 years and then move?"

These things seem far away, butfive years into being a lawyer you'll have a burgeoning careear, probably own property, perhaps have a spouse or significant other, and maybe even children. Will you really want to give up a steady income, move (potentially moving your family) to another province, only to spend a year going through the NCA process before you can even start looking for jobs in English Canada

I think you should plan for where you want to be for your whole career. If that place is Ontario (or somewhere else outside Quebec) you shouldn't do a civil degree alone. I suggest you either do civil and common together or just common, unless you're completely set on living in Quebec.

Study the law you want to practice. Study where you want to live and work.

[kaloolah]

Thanks for the advice guys! Sorry if I appear overly naive or if my posts are confusing. Silly me

Okay, so I'll scrap the idea of civil law at uOttawa and then McGill.

I guess the general consensus is that doing a 4 year undergrad and then spending 3.5 years at McGill would be preferable.

So is the 4 year undergrad and 3.5 years at McGill option better than a qualifying year and a civil law degree (plus a one year common law degree at some point) if I want to work in QC and then in another part of Canada later? I'm not asking for you guys to rehash the same thoughts. Is it worth doing an extra 3.5 years of school in order to be more prepared and to mature?

Thanks again for taking the time to answer my questions!

[KER_2012]

kaloolah, on 13 February 2012 - 10:31 AM, said:

Is it worth doing an extra 3.5 years of school in order to be more prepared and to mature?

In my personal opinion, yes.

[dan1010]

kaloolah, on 13 February 2012 - 10:31 AM, said:

Thanks for the advice guys! Sorry if I appear overly naive or if my posts are confusing. Silly me

Okay, so I'll scrap the idea of civil law at uOttawa and then McGill.

I guess the general consensus is that doing a 4 year undergrad and then spending 3.5 years at McGill would be preferable.

So is the 4 year undergrad and 3.5 years at McGill option better than a qualifying year and a civil law degree (plus a one year common law degree at some point) if I want to work in QC and then in another part of Canada later? I'm not asking for you guys to rehash the same thoughts. Is it worth doing an extra 3.5 years of school in order to be more prepared and to mature?

Thanks again for taking the time to answer my questions!

I'll echo what the above posters have already said: do an undergrad in something that interests you first, then when you're nearing completion you should reconsider the question about where you'd like to study law (if at all at that point).

But to answer your question, yes the McGill option is probably preferable if you're unsure about whether or not you want to stay in Quebec. That being said, it's not the only option and I'm sure going to a civil law school and then completing an additional year in common law would be a good alternative as well.

Take things one step at a time though. Enjoy your undergrad and try to keep an open mind.

[artsydork]

Should you do a qualifying year at U of O or UdM and successfully transfer to the LLB or LLL programs, the DESS (soon to be JD) seems to be a bit of a waste. Anecdotally, I know of 4 people who have done UdM's common law. 2 got government lawyer positions afterwards (though due to their own civil degree), 1 stayed in civil law and the other is still unemployed.

If you really are intent on law, then yes, it is feasible to transfer after a qualifying year. Be advised, many cegep-age law students seem to switch out. It is a tough transition but doable.