Indigenous Summer LSAT Prep Program

For Indigenous low-income and high-potential students interested in pursuing a law degree.

Applications for the 2024 session are closed.

About the Program

We are offering a free LSAT® Preparation Program, a pathway program funded by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC), for Indigenous students who are low-income or high-potential in their last two years of studies, or have previously completed their undergraduate degrees. The program, which runs from May to August, will prepare Indigenous students to write a Fall LSAT and apply to law schools in the upcoming admissions cycle.

As a provider of legal education, the Faculty of Law has a responsibility to create meaningful pathways for Indigenous individuals to apply to law school. As the LSAT is a requirement for many complete applications, our goal is to provide skill-based education and cultural programming so that Indigenous candidates can complete the LSAT, while retaining and embracing their identity in their applications and education.

Classes are typically held twice a week in the evening, online. All participants must commit to attend at least 90% of the classes, and attendance will be checked throughout the program.

The course is taught by a current UCalgary Law student.

Pipeline Project, Funded from the Law School Admission Council, Inc.

Program Details

  • Course will run the week of May 6 to the week of August 5 (14 weeks)
  • Class days: Tuesday and Friday
    • Some weeks will feature joint-programming with UCalgary Law’s LSAT Summer Prep Course, and may occur on Monday or Wednesday evenings, with holiday consideration also a factor. A detailed schedule will be made available in advance so students can schedule accordingly.
  • Times
    • Mandatory instruction time and review: 6 – 8 p.m.
  • Location: Online
    • Some cultural programming may be held in-person
  • Fees: Free for qualified participants
  • Class size: 10

Program features

  • Includes study materials and practice tests, and additional study group support

**NOTE: Materials can only be accessed online.

  • The admissions process and the impact of your LSAT and GPA
  • How to draft an effective Statement of Interest
  • How to draft an application as an Indigenous applicant
  • How to complete a strong writing sample
  • How to finance your legal education
  • Opportunities to hear from current Indigenous law students and practicing lawyers
  • Access to advice from Coordinator, Indigenous Initiatives and Reconciliation and law school admissions staff
  • Cultural programming and relationship building with Elders and legal professionals

Eligibility

You are fully committed to writing a Fall LSAT and submitting an application for Fall admissions, and you satisfy the following:

  1. You self-identify as an Indigenous person in Canada
  2. You are either:
    • Currently an undergraduate student, in third or fourth year
    • A graduate from a Bachelor’s degree program
  3. You have an average GPA of at least 3.00 (B) in your last 20 half courses (60 unit equivalent)
  4. You have received an LSAC Fee Waiver
    • Students who are ineligible for a Fee Waiver after appealing to LSAC can be considered for admission into the program by emailing Andrew Showalter, Coordinator Indigenous Initiatives and Reconciliation

Supporting Documents

1. Statement of Interest (maximum 1000 words; PDF or Word file only)

  • Why are you interested in the program?
  • How have your previous experiences and academic choices influenced your decision to pursue law school?
  • What would you like to do with your law degree?

Applicants may also optionally share information related to their Indigenous identity and how it relates to the above questions or their lived experience as an Indigenous person in Canada, including connections to their community, history, and heritage.

2. LSAC Fee Waiver

3. Indigenous identity documentation

What to include in your application package

Application form

A completed and signed application form.

Transcripts

A scanned copy of one up-to-date transcript for each post-secondary institution attended/attending.

Statement of Interest

See details above.

Receipt of LSAT Fee Waiver

Confirmation that you have applied for or received the LSAT Fee Waiver.

Indigenous identity documentation

See details above

Review eligible documentation