Admissions Categories
Admissions Categories
To be eligible, you must have completed at least 3 years of full time study (or equivalent, as defined by your institution) at the time of application. These studies must be part of a degree program at an accredited post-secondary institution and must be completed by the end of May in the year of entry.
You can find the required documents for general applicants in the First Year JD Program Applicants and Upper Year Applicants sections.
Our Indigenous application category is designed to identify exceptional students who will bring a broad and complex set of life experiences to the study of law. We strive to build a diverse and unique community of students who will forge lifelong friendships as they learn with and from each other. Indigenous applicants are requested to outline in their personal statements their interest in, identification with, and connection to their communities.
Indigenous Applicant Category – Identity Substantiation
To be considered under the Indigenous Applicant Category, you must:
- Identify as First Nations, Inuit, or Métis in the OLSAS School Submissions section; and
- Submit documentation through OLSAS to substantiate your Indigenous Membership, Citizenship or Enrollment (Option A or B).
For more information on the University of Toronto's Indigenous Substantiation Process, please visit: Indigenous Substantiation | Office of Indigenous Initiatives
Substantiation materials are reviewed by the University of Toronto - Office of Indigenous Initiatives. They are not reviewed by the Jackman Law Admissions Committee.
Applicants can find more information about the process in the Application Procedure section.
For further information contact the Manager, Indigenous Initiatives, at iio.law@utoronto.ca or 416-978-2583.
Indigenous applicants may also wish to find out more at the Indigenous Initiatives Office website.
Questions?
Check out the Indigenous Applicants Frequently Asked QuestionsTo apply under the mature category, you must have accumulated at least 5 full years of non-academic experience (that is, experienced gained outside of full time study) by the September of the year of entry.
Applications submitted under the General and Mature applicant categories are considered within the same applicant pool. The Mature applicant category allows applicants to provide additional context about their background and experience through the submission of a resume. Mature applicants are therefore strongly encouraged to include a resume with their application.
You can find the required documents for mature applicants in the First Year JD Program Applicants and Upper Year Applications sections.
Black Student Application Process
Learn more about our Jackman Law JD Black Student Application Process (BSAP)
If you're a Black undergraduate student interested in becoming a lawyer, you’re invited to join Black Future Lawyers (BFL). Starting as early as your first year of undergrad, you can participate in the BFL program regardless of which post-secondary institution you attend.
As a BFL member, you’ll receive free access to mentoring, networking, and shadowing opportunities with Black lawyers and law students. You’ll also benefit from workshops, guest speakers, admissions and financial aid information, LSAT preparation, an annual conference, and a paid full-time summer internship.
Please note: Black candidates, whether or not they participate in the BFL program, are strongly encouraged to select BSAP when applying to Jackman Law. This optional application process aims to increase Black student representation in our program.
For Black applicants interested in the JD program at Jackman Law, the BSAP offers an optional admission process for all applicant categories—general, mature, or Indigenous.
All JD applicants are assessed based on their academic record, LSAT scores, and personal profile. As a BSAP applicant, your personal profile will be reviewed based on its competitive nature by members of the Jackman Law Black community, including alumni, faculty, students, and staff.This review helps us recognize the unique perspectives and experiences that you and your community bring to the table.
We are looking for students with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and interests—both academic and non-academic—who have the potential to enrich the law school community. You must meet the same academic and LSAT requirements as all other applicants, and while BSAP doesn't have a specific quota, we encourage you to apply if you feel you meet these criteria.
For Black applicants, in addition to the mandatory Personal Statement and 1 Optional Essay, you may choose to submit 1 BSAP Essay (maximum 2,500 characters). The BSAP Essay offers a unique opportunity to discuss how your Black identity and lived experience has influenced your motivation to attend law school. You may choose to expand on previous opportunities for innovation, leadership, community engagement, and critical thinking.
All candidates apply by the standard First Year or Transfer procedures and deadlines, to the Ontario Law School Application Service (OLSAS). To be considered for the BSAP, on the OLSAS online application, please:
- Select the relevant JD-only program (first-year or transfer), and if desired, also select any JD combined program(s)
- Proceed to the School Submissions section and locate the Selection Type list of links.
- Select the link for the BSAP selection and optional BSAP essay.
- Confirm that you are selecting BSAP.
- Type in the text of your optional BSAP essay.
- Black Law Students' Association (U of T chapter): Join the BLSA, our student club for Black JD students, which is part of a larger network across Canadian law schools.
- Black students' faculty advisor: Connect with a Black law professor for academic guidance.
- Black JD Advisor: Reach out to a Black JD Advisor for career advice and mentorship.
- Peer Mentorship Program: Incoming first-year or transfer students can be paired with an upper-year student mentor.
- Alumni Mentorship Program: Incoming first-year students may be matched with a Jackman Law alum for mentorship throughout the school year.
- Bell Canada Enterprises (BCE) Summer Internship: Jackman Law partners with BCE Inc. to offer a 14-week paid summer internship, providing hands-on legal experience.
You will be automatically considered for needs-based entrance and in-course awards, such as the Michael Kelly Memorial Award and the Siobhan Amani Alexander Memorial Scholarship.
Our Black JD students are also eligible for Jackman Law in-course awards open to all students, which may recognize academic excellence, leadership, involvement in the community, or participation in extracurricular activities. You are also encouraged to apply independently to external scholarships and bursaries.
First Year JD Program Applicants
Learn more about the First Year JD Application process
Upper Year JD Program Applicants
Learn more about the Upper Year Application process