We have all put effort into something we just didn’t finish. I know I’ve forgotten to put my packed lunch in the fridge at night, only to wake up the next morning to a sandwich on the counter that would only be considered edible by the compost and maybe my dogs. Well, definitely my dogs, but this isn’t a post about their amazing iron digestive tracts.
Particularly if you are applying to a variety of schools, it can be difficult to keep track of which requirements and documents you have submitted, which are half-completed, and which are just sitting on your counter waiting for your dogs to remind you to finish.
UVic Law Admission’s policy is that incomplete applications are not considered. All applications submitted must be complete and include all required documents by the deadline, which, for both the JD and JD/JID programs is December 1 at 4pm PST. Every year, many applications do not get the benefit of consideration because applications are left incomplete.
We do not reach out or follow up on incomplete applications. This is an administrative necessity. It’s not that we believe your application isn’t worth a follow up. We simply get so many applications that it makes better sense to put the responsibility of completing the application onto the applicant, rather than on the admissions team to ensure you do.
Thus, I have put together a few tips and tricks to ensure your application is complete.
- Take the time to organize!
Taking the time to organize before beginning the application process can save you a lot of time trying to track your own steps while you are applying, particularly if you are applying to more than one school. In this case, it’s worth it to set up a system that works for you. If you find yourself without a system, however, Excel spreadsheets are underrated tools. With them, you can mark the requirements for each school, the deadlines, the costs associated, and what your progress looks like. Refer to it regularly and keep it updated, and all of the information you may have otherwise been chasing is in one place.
Additionally, I find that a naming system for files is helpful. This tip goes far beyond applying for law school. When in a professional or academic setting, it’s nice to give documents and files names that describe what they are. For example, “Kennedy, Deb Resume” would be a helpful name for my resume, and it would tell the organization you are sending it to exactly what they are looking at. Trust me; this is much appreciated.
However, if you have lots of similar yet slightly different versions of the same document, it’s helpful to lead with the identifying information. That way, when you are in a rush or just looking at abbreviated names, you can discern the correct one to open, to send, or to delete.
One example of this is a student who might be applying to both UVic and UBC. Both schools require a personal statement, yet the personal statement if properly thought out will not be the same for both schools. My advice would be to save your personal statements using this format: UVic Personal Statement Kennedy, Deb. That way, we don’t open a document addressed to Allard, and they don’t open one addressed to UVic.
In the same vein, it’s worthwhile to keep files in folders that are clearly labeled to easily file and find your documents. Note that you can make note of locations of files, names of files, and naming systems in your trusty yet underrated spreadsheet.
Finally, be in the practice of deleting old and outdated versions of documents, unless having older versions is necessary. It really does get confusing to have a series of similarly named files with rapidly changing version numbers, dates, and the initials of people who have commented on them. Maintaining a simple system can be gloriously, well, simple. Bonus: it can really cut down on mistakes available for you to make.
- Read everything.
We had a rule in our house when my kids were small – they weren’t allowed to pick something up while simultaneously asking what it was, which was done regularly and with great fervor. I couldn’t believe this rule was a necessity, but snakes, unidentifiable sidewalk gunk, and very expensively fragile things would indicate otherwise. You can get yourself into a lot of trouble if you don’t spend time using your powers of observation before you move forward.
I think I give my “read everything” rule in every substantive blog post, but it’s exactly the same as the rule to ask what something unidentified is before picking it up. “Read everything” is absolutely core valuable information. If there is a way to find out information, and it’s readily available to you, try and digest it before moving blindly forward. We have a robust website that lays out all of the admissions requirements in detail. We have useful links on our website that give you a more in-depth look at some of the requirements. We have FAQs. And we have this blog, which has taken a deeper dive into some subjects we get a lot of questions about.
On that note, our “Tips and Tricks” series on this blog have included a number of very useful articles, including Application Organization, Reference Letters, Personal Statements, Application Checklist, and Inclusive Statements. They are highly recommended reading prior to starting your application.
So, you’ve read everything, and you’re highly organized. What if it still doesn’t make sense? Please, by all means reach out. The Admissions Team at UVic Law will be happy to answer your questions. Asking questions also helps us recognize where our messaging may not be clear or more information should be given. This list contains contact information for not only Admissions but other helpful contacts at UVic Law.
- Make sure you understand what is needed and how it needs to be submitted.
The UVic Law Admissions Team has gone to great lengths to ensure we have made the instructions on how to apply to UVic Law clear. There are pages dedicated to first year admissions, upper year admissions, and JD/JID admissions. Each page has hyperlinks to other pages that discuss all of the possible pathways and streams of admission to UVic Law, including all of the elements and requirements for each possible way for you to become a student. Please note that it is an applicant’s responsibility to click on all of the hyperlinks and read the information provided in order to submit a complete application.
Here are some common issues that applicants have:
- Make sure you put your LSAC number on your application. This allows us to get your LSAT scores. Your LSAC number is an account number with the Law School Admission Council. The Law School Admission Council is the organization through which you register for the LSAT. Note that you do not have to have taken the LSAT prior to applying, but the last date you can sit for the LSAT is January of the year in which you plan to start class. Thus, if you apply in October of 2023 for September 2024, you must take the LSAT by January 2024.
- It is important that you upload an unofficial copy of your transcript to the online application. You will not get extra points for mailing us official transcripts. In fact, we don’t consider them. It is really important, with as many applications as we have to review, that we have all of the information in one place, which is why we want them uploaded with the rest of your application. If we make an offer to you, we will then ask for official transcripts.
- Update your transcript as needed. If you have fall grades that come in after you submit your application, email them to lclerk2@uvic.ca.
- If your transcripts are from international institutions, make sure we also have the World Education Services (WES) evaluation as well.
- There is no form for references. References should be written in the referrer’s own words and emailed directly to lclerk@uvic.ca. Please make sure your referrers have these instructions, along with a kind reminder about when the deadline is and which school they are sending the referral to.
- If English is not your first language, and you have not completed a minimum of three full academic years of post-secondary study that was taught and assessed in English, you must submit your Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) results.
- Ensure you read all of the requirements (hint: click on the hyperlinks!) for each element of admission. For example, the Personal Statement contains *both* a Part A and a Part B. Applicants that neglect to submit one of the parts will be considered incomplete.
- Do not send us information that we didn’t ask for. This creates extra work for the review team and creates a process that is less fair. Every year, we get applications that include thesis papers, news articles, and additional references. By far, the most common is additional references. You should note that we will only consider the first two references we receive. If you know you have three or more outstanding references, please pick the best two. We also will not consider references if you apply in an admission stream for which they are not required.
- Double-check everything.
This is yet another thing I say in so many of my blog posts. However, it is so important. Please make sure you proofread everything. Have someone else proofread for you. Then proofread it again. Put it down for 24 hours and come back and look at it with fresh eyes. Making sure your application is free of errors – and complete! – is the easiest way to look professional in writing.
We want all of our applicants to succeed. We want you to put the best application forward. It’s the best way for us to make sound decisions about who we make offers to. We look forward to receiving and reviewing your application.