Hello,
I applied for different LLM programs in North America. Most of them are in the US. However, I applied also for Toronto. But I am wondering, why there is so little written about the Universities in Canada. How are they compared with the Rankings in the US? Wuld Toronto be placed in the top 20 US Law Schools?

Hi, Luke

I guess universities in Canada are a lot cheaper but not necessarily worse than the american ones.
To which universities in Toronto and in Canada did you apply? Which LLM programme?

André

Hi André
I applied for Toronto, (LLM, "the coursework-intensive format is aimed at law students who wish to specialize in a specific area of law, particularly in one of the Law Faculty's several strengths, or who wish to develop an understanding of North American legal processes and law, or who wish to explore the common law at an advanced level....")
On the Message Board for US, Nina gave me the following adress vor more information, I'll check it out!
Cheers,
Luke
www.lawbuzz.ca/

as a canadian i can tell you guys that the only law school in canada that comes close to competing with the top american schools (particularly in terms of funding) is the univeristy of toronto. the other top anglophone schools are osgoode hall, mcgill and the university of british columbia - laval and université de montréal if you speak french.

tuition and cost of living are a lot cheaper in canada when compared to the states. and the people are better. best of luck people...

as a canadian i can tell you guys that the only law school in canada that comes close to competing with the top american schools (particularly in terms of funding) is the univeristy of toronto. the other top anglophone schools are osgoode hall, mcgill and the university of british columbia - laval and université de montréal if you speak french.

tuition and cost of living are a lot cheaper in canada when compared to the states. and the people are better. best of luck people...

hi michael,

i am indeed a canadian national (montreal, qc). the name is supposed to be indicative of where my ambitions lie...not necessarily who/what i am.

i agree - "better people" was said tongue in cheek, as they say. i really ought to have added a ;) or a :) to avoid confusion. americans and canadians are both decent people to be sure...if only we could say the same about the barbarians running their country...

I study law in Canada too. Unfortunately there are still some Canadians who tend to critisize everything American, but at they same time they realize they would be nothing without the US. Canada depends on the US economically, militarily, culturally...you name it:) That is why for people from another countries it is just funny. I cannot help laughing listening to Canadians:) However, I really love love and hope to finish my degree soon to get my LL.M in the European Union:)

Yes, talking about Canadian law schools, they have one advantage over American schools: since there are two legal systems in Canada: civil law and common law, many law students have an opportunity to get both. Moreover, it is possible to do them in both English and French- 2 official languages in Canada. If you are not a lazy anglophone who does not speak anything else, but English, you should take this opportunity;) University of Ottawa (www.uottawa.ca) would be a good choice!

There is a great debate raging on lawbuzz.ca about ranking Canadian law schools and the comparison to US schools. One thing to remember is that these students are talking about undergrad law degrees (LLB). The consensus seems to be that top tier Canadian schools are: U of Toronto, McGill and possibly UVic and Osgoode. Keep in mind- UVic's LLM program is very new. Ottawa is also sometimes included in the top tier and is great for civil law and bilingualism. Most think McGill has the best international reputation. There is also great info about specialty programs.

Tier 1 - UVic, Osgoode, UofT, McGill

Tier 2 - Ottawa, UBC, Queen's, Dal, UAlberta, Western

Tier 3 - UNB, USask, Windsor, Sherbrooke, Montreal, UCalgary, UMan

Best international rep = McGill

Best bang for your buck = McGill, UNB

Worst bang for your buck = Dal

Best for job opportunities in Canada = Toronto

Best faculty = Ottawa

Best course offerings = Osgoode

Best MBA/LLB combo = Osgoode

Best internships/extracurricular involvement = Ottawa

Most overrated = Toronto

Most accomplished students = Toronto

Best overall experience = UNB, Dal, UVic

Best international exchanges = Ottawa

Coolest city = McGill, UBC

Best for CLE/LLM = Osgoode

Best for Health = Alberta

Best for Corporate = Toronto

Best for Crim = Queen's

Best for Tech = Ottawa

Best for Marine = Dal

Best for Oil = Calgary

Best for IP = Ottawa

Best for Human Rights = Ottawa

Most mediocre school = Moncton

That is from the law buzz discussion.

Hi, eurobest,

I'm from Brasil and I'm thinking about to do a LL.M program at UofT. Do you have any information about that law school? Do you know if the admission process is very competetive?
Thanks.

That is from the law buzz discussion.

Hi V,
I know you addressed your question to eurobest but I thought I might add a few words. The LL.M. program at U of T is very competitive but some believe it is easier for foreign students to gain admission (they pay higher fees and there are fewer applying). I don't agree- I'm just saying you should apply and hope for the best regardless of your GPA, etc. if you really want to go there.

One thing to remember, however, is that the LL.M. might not qualify you for practice in Canada or the US if that is your goal. I know a Brazilian LL.M. student who is struggling with this. She is trained in civil law but does not speak french, making her Brazilian qualifications useless here. If you are going back to Brasil or doing international law outside North America then I'm sure the degree could help you. But it's something you might want to check into in greater detail before applying.

FYI- there are lots of LLM students from Brasil at University of Ottawa. Not sure what the expat community is like at U of T. Best of luck.

Hi, Nina,

Thanks a lot for the tips. The U of T is one of my choices and I believe it the admission process is very competitive. My goal is not pratice law in North America now, but is good to know that. I only want study in Canada or USA and after come back to Brasil.

So, do you know something about the LL.M in business law and institutions at UofT? Is it a good course?

Thanks again. Bye.

U of T is an excellent school, especially for business. I know quite a few LLB students from there who went to work for top firms on Bay St. (Canadian equivalent of Wall St.). I don't know much about the LLM but I am sure it is top-notch. And Toronto is a great city (but cold of course). Best of luck.

Hi Nina,
Would you know of any scholarships (for Canadians) which has a late deadline? I havent been living in Canada for some years now and would appreciate the input! Thanks!

Sorry- I don't know of any off-hand. My advice would be to try and access your school's database of scholarships before you arrive in September though. It should be online. There are deadlines for large and small awards at all times of the year. Many are in Sept and Oct. It's usually so busy trying to get settled in your courses that the deadlines are easily missed. You should apply for SSHRC and OGS (if studying in Ontario) in September for the 2006-2007 year if you will still be studying then. These are the big $$ awards.

Thanks Nina.
Do you know when the Canadian laws schools start sending out the acceptance letters? I have been told it might be a few more weeks. the wait is torturous...

Hello
I am new in here. I have a question of Canadian LLM, then I'd like to add my question. If it is a wrong thread, I appologize.

I am also thinking to go to North America to study Law. The problem is Bar digree. I know every states in the Unites States have individual bar exams, and all provinces in Canada doesn't have any bar exams excluding BC. I need Lawyers licence. I have heard that LLM grads can take bar exam in the United States. How is in Canada? if I graduated from Canadian LLM, can I take Lawyers License?

If you know, would you tell me?