Please note that this blog post refers to the process of admission for first year admits only. Upper year transfers have different deadlines and timelines than first year admits.
If you are one of so many aspiring law students, you have taken a deep breath then carefully crafted, proofread, double-checked, and submitted your application to UVic Law. Congratulations on taking that first step! However, like so many of the other aspiring law students who have gently tapped the submit button with unsteady fingers, you might be asking yourself, “Now what?”
We get it. The waiting period – particularly when waiting for something that is meaningful – can be an anxiety-filled empty space where the second hand on the clock doesn’t…ever…seem…to…move. It’s frankly a silent void. The next cohort starts at UVic Law in less than a year’s time, and you have absolutely no idea whether you will be making plans to watch the sun rise over Mount Tolmie or to sit in front of the computer wondering what your next life choices should be.
One of the best ways I have found to describe this situation is that time moves relative to your priorities, your workload, and your perceived urgency of a situation. That is, while you are anxiously awaiting something – anything – in the way of a response from the vast abyss of nothingness that you lovingly sent your carefully crafted application into, we are moving along, sorting through and evaluating over 1,000 applications. It’s safe to say that time is not necessarily moving at the same speed for us.
It takes time for us to evaluate all of the applications. We really and truly do put a lot of thought into who we send offers to. A single application can take us a few minutes to look at, or we can spend hours deliberating its merits. We are very proud of the large number of files we review holistically, but it takes an incredible amount of time.
What does our timeline look like then?
Our applications open September 1 of each year and close December 1. We begin receiving and reviewing applications as soon as we get them. While we get some completed applications in early September, we begin to receive more with regularity as time goes on. We receive the majority of our applications closer to the deadline. Thus, the majority of our review time doesn’t occur until after the application closure. We will review applications well into the spring.
Some applicants will hear back from us in fairly short order. However, it is completely normal for the UVic Law Admissions to not notify applicants until late spring about whether they will receive an offer, no offer, or be offered a spot on our waitlist. That said, you should hear one of those three things from us by late spring.
While we try to get offers out as quickly as possible, some applicants will hold positions at more than one school while they make their decision. Other applicants who have received an offer will have life circumstances to work through while they decide whether they can accept a position in our incoming class. We recognize these as valid parts of the decision-making process. While we will encourage applicants to let us know as soon as they have made a decision whether they plan to attend UVic Law, some of these decisions are not made until quite late. We actually extend some offers each year as late as late August, as we adjust our incoming class according to those who accept and those who decline.
If I won’t hear from you potentially for months, how do I know you have everything?
We do understand that this is an anxiety-inducing time, and radio silence is not helpful to calm that. However, there are some indications along the way that everything is proceeding as it should. The first one is on your application itself. The picture accompanying this blog post shows a lovely, vibrant green check mark next to the word “complete.” Before you paid to submit your application, there should have been an indication that all of the necessary components of the application were, in fact, completed.
Secondly, once you have properly submitted your application, you will get an email that starts wit the following: “We are pleased to receive your application to our Law Faculty.” This email will further invite you to create your Netlink ID. This is also your confirmation that we have your application.
We do love to chat with our applicants. However, once you receive that confirmation email, it isn’t necessary to ensure we have your application or check up on the timeline. I promise; we will reach out as soon as possible and let you know whether you will be receiving an offer of acceptance.
What can I do in the meantime?
While you are in the waiting game, there are a few things you can do that might be helpful for you.
- Follow instructions when you get them. Create your Netlink ID. Read any emails you are sent. Return phone calls if we reach out to you. Definitely do not ignore any instructions or requests for additional information. We will reach out to you with questions.
- Make sure anything – like references – from external sources gets sent to us. It is you responsibility to ensure everything, including references, gets to us by the deadline.
- You can check your application online by accessing the Student Services portal
- When you get an offer may have as much to do with whether you attend UVic Law as whether you get one. For some people who are waitlisted, as much as they may want to attend UVic Law, acceptance may mean a cross country or international move that may logistically make a September start impracticable if they receive an August 10 offer. Have those conversations with yourself. At what point will you withdraw a spot on the waitlist? Is there a way you could – and would – make acceptance work with a late offer?
- Learn about UVic and Victoria. As part of the planning process, this is essential. What questions do you have that will help you decide whether to accept a position? What could you know that might make a move easier? What services do we offer that you can find out about before September? Is your favourite hobby or an interesting community group offered somewhere in town?
- But wait. We will get in touch with you as soon as we know whether we plan to extend an offer to you. We will get in touch if we have questions about you application. However, the very best thing you can do while waiting for us to get in touch with you is give us the time to dedicate to reviewing all of the applications. It will make the process quicker and more efficient, ultimately benefitting you.