Indigenous Admission

We encourage inquiries and applications from Indigenous people.

The deadline for all first-year applications is December 1 (4 p.m. PST). All applications submitted must be complete and include all required documentation by this deadline.

Am I eligible to apply under the Indigenous stream?

The Indigenous stream is open to all who identify as First Nations, Métis or Inuit.

What does a complete Indigenous stream application include?

A complete application under the Indigenous stream will include:

  1. Submission of the online application form;
  2. Payment of the application fee;
  3. Law School Admission Test (LSAT) score (written no later than the January test date);
  4. Personal statement including both Part A and B, Part A not exceeding 750 words; and
  5. One copy of a transcript for all post-secondary studies including exchange and study abroad transcripts.

Additionally, applicants to the Indigenous stream must include:

  1. A statement describing your connection to your Indigenous community; and
  2. two letters of reference sent to us by your references (one must fully describe your connection(s) to the Indigenous community, and the second must be an academic reference).

You may also be required to submit:

  1. TOEFL results, if your first language is not English, and you have not completed a minimum of three full academic years of post-secondary study that was taught and assessed in English.
  2. Applicants with foreign undergraduate transcripts should include an evaluation by a foreign credential evaluation service (course-by-course evaluation), such as the World Education Service (WES). This does not apply to exchange transcripts or Graduate transcripts.

The deadline for submitting transcripts and supporting documentation is December 1.

How will you decide if I get an offer?

Applications from Canadian Indigenous people will be considered on an individual basis, taking into account such factors as:

  • academic performance
  • results of the LSAT
  • your personal statement
  • letters of reference
  • past, present, and future connections with the Indigenous community.

If you have less than three academic years of post-secondary education, it is unlikely that you will receive an offer of admission. An incomplete application will not be considered.

 For more information check out the UVic Law Admissions Blog!