Still want to be a lawyer?
We've got some tips for you if you're still keeping law school on the table as you think about applying to university:
So you want to be a lawyer?
Law school is a three-year program, followed by 12 months of "Articling," where you work under the supervision of a practising lawyer and develop your lawyering skills.
We get it.
In the past year, how many times have you been asked "Where do you see yourself in ten years?" Everyone wants to know what your game plan is, and they want to know you're planning for the future. It's not easy to find one answer for that question, and maybe you've told people you want to become a lawyer.
At UCalgary Law, we encourage you to keep your options open. Even if you're currently an excellent debater or you love to write, you might find your true passion for anthropology or marketing.
While it's good to have goals, be sure you're not so focused on the idea of becoming a lawyer that you forget to look around at all the other options open to you.
There are many areas of the law you can practice, and many different places to do so: large full-service firms, the government, small local or boutique firms, or public interest organizations. Lawyers often work in contracts, real estate transactions, and wills and trusts. Some lawyers work on business or family law negotiations. Criminal lawyers regularly appear in court on behalf of their clients. Other lawyers work with organizations to protect the environment or human rights. And some lawyers go on to become judges at various levels of court across the country.
Becoming a lawyer isn't the only career you can pursue with a law degree. Studying law opens doors to many different career paths, because the skills you develop in law school can translate to a variety of career options.
Alternative careers to consider include:
- Academic
- Auditor
- Banking and finance
- Business analyst
- Career counsellor
- Careers in government and politics
- Compliance officer
- Consumer advocate
- Employee benefits manager
- Entrepreneur
- Executive director of a non-profit organization
- Immigration officer
- Labour negotiator
- Lobbyist
- Management consultant
- Negotiation and conflict resolution
- Policy analyst
- Sports agent
- Writer or journalist
- And many, many more
UCalgary Law also offers joint programs with the Haskayne School of Business, The School of Public Policy, and the University of Houston to further enhance your career opportunities.
Legal education teaches you a specific way of thinking and evaluating. The analytical skills you hone at law school are extremely important to be successful, no matter what industry you land in.
Adam Oppenheim, JD/MBA'12
President, Stampede Entertainment Inc.
Plan to complete a university degree.
Canadian law schools prefer applicants to have a 4-year undergraduate (university) degree prior to entering law school.
It doesn't matter what you study.
In fact, we prefer students who come from a variety of different backgrounds. We have admitted students who are musicians, engineers, marketing experts, journalists, nurses, athletes, chemists, political scientists, physicists, historians, accountants...the list goes on. Study what you love.
Get involved.
We like students who are involved in their communities. Volunteer, play sports or join a club. Do what makes you happy. It doesn't have to be law-related.
Keep your grades up.
Our two biggest determining factors for admissions are your GPA and your LSAT (Law School Admissions Test) scores. We take your GPA from the last 20 half courses of your university degree. Don't forget to build relationships with your professors, because we will use them as a reference when you apply to law school.
What do I need to apply to UCalgary Law?
I chose UCalgary Law because of all the diverse experiential learning opportunities you can get involved in. Being able to practice communicating with clients, developing advocacy skills, and managing files before graduating from law school has enhanced my experience.
Holly Kegel
JD'21