Students curious about law school had a unique opportunity to meet with the Interim Dean of University of Calgary’s Faculty of Law to learn about exciting opportunities for King’s students.
On October 31st, King’s students were invited join an information session to learn about a unique partnership between the University of King’s College and the Faculty of Law at the University of Calgary that grants King’s students who have completed the Foundation Year Program (FYP) provisional pre-admittance to UCalgary’s Faculty of Law.
President Lahey hosted Interim Dean of Calgary Law Dr. Evaristus Oshionebo and Assistant Dean of Recruitment and Admissions Catherine Valestuk so they could meet with prospective law students to highlight Calgary’s Juris Doctor (JD) programs, and answer questions about the partnership, law school and the practice of law in general.
Dr. Oshionebo and Assistant Dean Valestuk explained the benefits of provisional pre-admittance that gives King’s students an advantage in the applicant pool as long as they maintain scholarship standing throughout the remainder of their degree at King’s and Dalhousie, plus meet all other admissions criteria including LSAT scores, work experience and community involvement.
When asked about why the partnership formed between the universities, Assistant Dean Valestuk remarked, “There is something about King’s [students] that makes you particularly good lawyers,” noting that King’s and Calgary Law “share a commitment to deep learning,” which makes FYP alumni a good fit for their JD programs.
Graduates of King’s or Dalhousie who completed King’s FYP program and are entering their first year in the Faculty of Law, JD program are also uniquely eligible for the F Murray Fraser QC scholarship. Valued at up to $12,000, this annual scholarship for Calgary Law was established by Anne Fraser in memory of her late husband, Murray Fraser, QC, former President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calgary. Fraser grew up in Halifax and began his university career at King’s, before going on to graduate with arts and law degrees from Dalhousie. The award is based on academic merit and demonstration of involvement in student leadership, carrying on Fraser’s legacy.
During the information session, we also learned about several unique programs offered by the Faculty of Law at UCalgary. Besides a typical JD degree, students have an opportunity to pursue joint degrees and concentrations. Students are able to pair their law degree with a Masters of Public Policy or a Masters of Business Administration. They may also opt to take a certificate in common law in French through a program with the University of Ottawa, or take a concentration in Aboriginal and Indigenous Law. Furthermore, students may even be granted a JD in both Canada and the U.S. through a collaboration with the University of Houston where JD candidates focus on International Energy and Environmental Law at both universities.
What really makes Calgary’s program stand out is their focus on clinical and experiential learning. Each year, law students are required to take a series of Foundational Intensive Courses that span several weeks. These aim to immerse students into the legal field, rather than pushing a purely theoretical approach. This attitude towards learning shares similar principles with many experiential learning programs offered at King’s, and field-based learning within our School of Journalism, Writing and Publishing.
Beyond describing their academic programs, Dr. Oshionebo and Assistant Dean Valestuk wanted to share that the city of Calgary, and their Law School community are welcoming spaces for all students. Dr. Oshionebo described Calgary as having a “thriving legal community” with a lot to offer students during their academic experience, while articling and in their post-degree lives. He stressed that despite common misconceptions about the city, Calgary is incredibly diverse and ranked among the most livable cities in North America. And the law school helps new students adjust to life in their new community by having events like mixers to make them feel welcomed.
Calgary Law encourages applicants from all backgrounds and has taken steps to make the school as inclusive as possible. From its thriving Black Law Students Association to a free LSAT preparation course for low-income students, the institution offers a plethora of opportunities for everyone. The holistic application process considers GPA and LSAT scores alongside community work, school involvement and personal statements. Indigenous and Black applicants may elect to write a personal essay reflecting their lived experience being a part of a marginalized group.
Assistant Dean Valestuk referred interested students to the University of Calgary Faculty of Law website, or they can email law@ucalgary.ca for more information.
