Introduction
If you are in the early stages of the law school application process, whether you are applying to law schools in Canada or elsewhere, you may be wondering how to approach choosing a law school.
It can feel overwhelming. There are multiple law schools, each with different admission requirements, application processes, and opportunities. At the same time, this decision feels important because it shapes the next three years of your life and can influence where your legal career begins.
If you are the first person in your family considering law school, the process can feel even more confusing because there is no roadmap or someone close to you who has already gone through it.
The good news is that there is rarely just one “right” answer. The best law school for you will depend on a mix of practical factors, personal priorities, and your long-term goals.
When I was deciding where to apply to law school, I had many of the same questions you probably have now. Over time, I realized that choosing a law school often comes down to a handful of key factors. In this guide, I will walk through those factors so you can make a decision that feels thoughtful, realistic, and aligned with your goals.
Start With Financial Feasibility
One of the first things to consider when choosing a law school is cost.
Law school is a significant financial investment. Tuition, living expenses, textbooks, and licensing costs after graduation can add up quickly. Before you apply or accept an offer, take time to understand the full financial picture.
Some questions to ask yourself include:
- What is the annual tuition at the school?
- What are the living costs in that city?
- Will you need to move or relocate?
- Are scholarships or bursaries available?
- Will you rely on student loans?
Two schools may offer the same law degree, but the financial impact could look very different depending on location and cost of living.
For example, studying in cities like Toronto or Vancouver may involve significantly higher housing costs than smaller cities. On the other hand, attending a school closer to home may allow you to reduce expenses and maintain a support system.
Financial feasibility does not mean choosing the cheapest option automatically. It simply means making sure the choice you make is sustainable for you during law school and after graduation.
Think About What Matters Most to You
Another important part of choosing a law school is understanding your personal priorities.
Some students strongly value staying close to family and maintaining their support system. Law school can be demanding, and having familiar people nearby can make the experience much more manageable.
Other students see law school as an opportunity to experience a new city or province. Moving somewhere new can be exciting and can also help you grow personally and professionally.
Neither option is better than the other.
The real question is:
What kind of environment will help you succeed and stay balanced during law school?
Ask yourself:
- Do I want to stay near family or experience a new city?
- Will I feel comfortable building a new support system?
- Am I ready to relocate for three years?
These questions might seem personal, but they often have a major impact on your overall law school experience.
Be Realistic About Your Grades
Your academic record will also influence your options.
Law schools are competitive and each law school evaluates applicants differently. Some schools place more weight on GPA, while others emphasize LSAT scores or consider applications more holistically.
Because of this, your grades and LSAT score will naturally influence where you can realistically apply.
This is completely normal. Most applicants apply to a range of law schools rather than focusing on only one or two.
When I was applying to law school, I approached it this way as well. Having multiple options helped take some of the pressure off any single application decision.
A helpful strategy is to build a balanced list of schools before applying. Many applicants create a mix of reach, target, and safety schools based on their GPA and LSAT score.
- Reach schools have admission statistics slightly higher than your own.
- Target schools have medians similar to your GPA and LSAT score.
- Safety schools are where your numbers fall comfortably within the admitted range.
This approach increases the chances that you will receive at least one offer while still giving yourself the opportunity to aim for more competitive programs.
Make sure to review the admissions data for each law school that you plan on applying for.
You may also notice a lot of discussion online about law school rankings. In Canada, rankings tend to matter far less than many students assume. Canada has a relatively small number of accredited law schools, and most are well respected across the country. In many cases, regional connections and networking opportunities matter more than whether a school appears higher on a ranking list.
If you are still preparing for the LSAT, you may find these guides helpful:
Your LSAT score can significantly expand your options, so preparing thoughtfully can make a real difference.
Consider Where You Want to Practice Law
Law schools often have strong connections to their local legal markets. The professors you learn from, the alumni you meet, and the firms that recruit on campus are often connected to the region where the law school is located.
For example, if you plan to practice law in Alberta, attending a law school in Alberta such as the University of Alberta or the University of Calgary can make networking and recruitment easier.
That does not mean you cannot move provinces after law school. Many lawyers do. However, having ties to the region where you hope to practice can sometimes help during the articling recruit.
You might also be wondering whether it is possible to study law abroad and still practice in Canada. The answer is yes, but if you are considering attending law school outside Canada, it is important to understand how the legal system works.
Canada uses a common law system, except for Quebec which uses civil law. If you study in another country, you should choose one that has a similar legal system like the United Kingdom and Australia. I know students who graduated from Bond University in Australia and later returned to Canada to practice law.
You should also check whether your degree will be recognized and whether additional accreditation will be required. In Canada, out-of-country law graduates must complete the National Committee on Accreditation (NCA) process so their law degree can be assessed and recognized in Canada.
You can learn more about this process through the Federation of Law Societies of Canada:
https://nca.legal
Understanding this pathway early can help you avoid surprises later.
Look at Courses, Clinics, and Experiential Learning Opportunities
Another factor to consider when choosing a law school is the range of courses and experiential learning opportunities available.
During your second and third year of law school, you will usually have more flexibility to choose electives. These courses allow you to explore different areas of law and develop skills that may shape your future career.
Examples might include:
- Intellectual property law
- Environmental law
- Indigenous law
- Corporate law
- Criminal procedure
- Family law
Not every law school offers the same selection.
It is also worth looking at experiential opportunities such as legal clinics, internships, and moots. For example, some law schools offer legal clinics like Student Legal Services, where law students provide supervised legal assistance to low-income members of the community. Programs like this allow you to gain practical experience, develop advocacy skills, and work with real clients while you are still in school.
Another factor students sometimes overlook is the learning environment. Some law schools have smaller class sizes and a close knit student community, while others are larger and may offer a wider variety of courses and extracurricular opportunities.
Thinking about whether you prefer a smaller or larger academic environment can help you narrow down your options.
Even if you are unsure about your future practice area, having a variety of courses and experiential programs can help you discover what interests you most.
Understand the Bar Admission Process
Another factor to keep in mind when choosing a law school is the licensing process after graduation.
Different jurisdictions have different requirements for becoming a lawyer.
For example:
- In Alberta and Saskatchewan, graduates complete articling along with the PREP or CPLED bar admission program.
- In British Columbia, graduates complete articling and the Professional Legal Training Course (PLTC) administered by the Law Society of British Columbia.
- In the United States, most jurisdictions require graduates to pass a formal bar examination after law school.
Understanding how licensing works in the jurisdiction where you hope to practice can help you better understand the path from law school to becoming a lawyer.
Practical Tips for Applying to Law School
Once you have identified the schools you are interested in, the next step is to apply!
Here are a few practical tips that can help make the process more manageable.
Apply Widely
Applying to multiple law schools gives you options.
Admissions decisions can be unpredictable, and even strong applicants sometimes receive unexpected results.
Many applicants apply to five to eight law schools depending on their GPA, LSAT score, and location preferences.
Having several applications in progress can help reduce the pressure on any single school.
Carefully Review Each Law School’s Requirements
Each law school has slightly different admission requirements.
Some law schools emphasize GPA more heavily, while others place greater weight on the LSAT, personal statements, or holistic factors.
Always read each law school’s admissions page carefully before applying.
For example, you can review the admission requirements for the University of Alberta Faculty of Law on their website.
Understanding these requirements early can help you tailor your application more effectively.
Double Check That Your Application Is Complete
Before submitting your applications, review everything carefully.
Make sure you have included:
- LSAT scores
- Transcripts
- Personal statements
- References
- Any required supplemental materials
A strong application can be delayed if something is missing.
Talk to Current Students and Attend Information Sessions
If possible, try to speak with current law students or attend law school information sessions or open houses.
Current students can often provide honest insight into the workload, school culture, and day to day experience of law school. These conversations can sometimes reveal things that are difficult to learn from a website alone.
Final Thoughts: There Is No Perfect Law School
Choosing a law school is a huge decision, but one final thing to remember is that there is no single perfect law school.
Many excellent lawyers graduate from many different law schools every year. The school you attend can influence your opportunities, but your work ethic, experiences, and relationships during law school often matter just as much.
The best choice is the one that aligns with your goals and supports the life you want to build. Focus on choosing a school that:
- Is financially realistic
- Aligns with your goals
- Offers opportunities that interest you
- Places you in a region where you hope to practice
As long as you decide carefully on which law school to attend, you will likely end up in a place where you can build the skills and connections you need to begin your legal career.
