Indigenous Summer LSAT Prep Program

• About the program
• Eligibility
• Application Form
• Supporting documents

In summer 2024, we offered our first Indigenous LSAT® Preparation Program: A Pipeline Project, Funded from the Law School Admission Council, Inc. We are proud to continue this initiative this year.

We are offering a free LSAT® Preparation Program, a pathway program funded in partnership with 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 recognizes our 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 will be 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.

Program Details

• Course will run the week of May 8 to the week of August 7 (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: 15

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 and submit documentation to verify Indigenous identity
   • Visit the Future Students page to review approved documentation for verifying Indigenous identity
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

1. Transcripts

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

2. Statement of Interest (maximum 500 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.

Please do not feel compelled to share elements of personal or family trauma that you have not yet fully processed or information that through the act of sharing would feel harmful to your wellbeing. The success of your application is not dependent on demonstrating trauma related to your Indigenous identity or otherwise. Supports are available and some can be found on our website at Academic Success and Personal Wellness.

3. LSAC Fee Waiver

4. Indigenous identity documentation