How hard is it to get into law school at UBC?

Asked by: Ardith Ratke  |  Last update: March 31, 2026
Score: 4.4/5 (57 votes)

Getting into UBC Law is very competitive, requiring strong academic performance (median GPA ~83-84%) and a high LSAT score (median ~166), though a holistic review considers personal statements, work experience, and extenuating factors, with scores above 165-166 often needed for the general stream. Successful applicants typically exceed these medians, but lower scores can be offset by strong "soft" factors or applying through a discretionary category if criteria aren't met.

How hard is it to get into UBC law?

However, students who successfully enter UBC law typically have an LSAT of 166 or higher. There's also no minimum GPA requirement. As with LSAT though, most of those accepted have a GPA of around 84 percent.

What GPA do you need to get into UBC law?

There is no specific minimum LSAT score or CGPA that is required to apply, but higher scores will make your application more competitive. Over the years, successful applicants within the General Category had an average CGPA of 83% - approximately 3.8 - with an LSAT score of 166.

What's the hardest law school to get into in Canada?

The University of Toronto is often cited as the hardest law school to get into. This is taking into account all other factors like the median LSAT and the median GPA. Other than academic standards, the law school also has high standards for extracurricular activities.

How hard is it to get into UBC as an American?

As an American applicant, you should aim for a GPA over 3.7 or so. The acceptance rate overall last year was about 25 percent or so ... which is pretty high. Don't let this fool you into thinking UBC is not a competitive school.

2025-2026 JD Admissions Process | Peter A. Allard School of Law - UBC

39 related questions found

Is UBC like an Ivy League?

No, the University of British Columbia (UBC) is not part of the U.S. Ivy League (which is an athletic conference of eight private Northeastern universities), but it's widely considered a "Canadian Ivy" or "Public Ivy" equivalent due to its top-tier global rankings, academic excellence, and prestige, alongside schools like the University of Toronto and McGill University. UBC, U of T, and McGill are often grouped as Canada's most elite research universities, rivaling top U.S. institutions in academics and research, though the Canadian system differs in funding and admissions. 

What is the hardest program to get into UBC?

Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) | Sauder School of Business, University of British Columbia: UBC's four-year Bachelor of Commerce program gets 4,500 applications each year, but only accepts six percent of applicants. The acceptance average for this hard to get into program last year was 92.2%.

What are the top 3 law schools in Canada?

Top 10 Canada Universities for Law

  • University of Toronto. ...
  • University of British Columbia. ...
  • McGill University. ...
  • Dalhousie University. ...
  • Queen's University at Kingston. ...
  • University of Alberta. ...
  • University of Ottawa. ...
  • University of Montreal.

What is the easiest law school to get into?

The "easiest" law schools to get into generally have higher acceptance rates and lower median LSAT/GPA scores, with schools like Thomas M. Cooley Law School (WMU), Southern University Law Center, Appalachian School of Law, and North Carolina Central University School of Law often listed for accessibility, though factors like LSAT/GPA minimums vary. Always check the latest data for schools like Loyola University New Orleans, University of South Dakota, and New England Law | Boston as rankings shift, but remember that lower-ranked schools often grade on a curve, making academic success challenging regardless of admission. 

Is UBC a tier 1 school?

The University of British Columbia is a Tier 1 university with a global reputation in academic achievement and research. The 1,000 acre campus features academic, athletic and residential buildings, as well as a mixture of museums, arts and research venues.

Is law school harder than medical school?

Medical school is generally considered harder due to its intense, fact-heavy curriculum requiring massive memorization and dealing with life-or-death stakes, while law school focuses more on reading, critical thinking, and analysis, though both are rigorous and demand significant commitment. Med school involves vast scientific knowledge and clinical rotations, whereas law school builds analytical "thinking like a lawyer" through heavy reading, writing, and case application, culminating in high-stakes final exams.
 

What is the waitlist for UBC law?

What is the waitlist? The wait list is those students who meet our requirements for admission but there is not currently a place in the program to offer them. Generally, there is little movement on the waitlist as few students end up declining our offer of admission. You can take yourself off the waitlist at any time.

How long is UBC law school?

The Juris Doctor degree is granted on the successful completion of a three-year program and prepares students for admission to the practice of law (subject to further requirements that are set out below) and for business and public service.

What are the top 3 law schools?

The top 3 law schools consistently ranked are Yale University, Stanford University, and Harvard University, often appearing as the top three in various rankings like U.S. News & World Report and Times Higher Education, though their specific order can vary slightly by publication and year, with University of Chicago, Columbia, and NYU frequently rounding out the top tier. 

What is the easiest university to get into for law?

The criteria for the easiest law schools to get into can vary depending on acceptance rates, GPA and LSAT scores, but some of the easiest law schools to get into include the Vermont Law School, University of North Dakota, Whittier Law School and Oklahoma City University.

Did Kim Kardashian pass the LSAT?

That said, the question about what the “Kim Kardashian LSAT score” was, or if she even took the LSAT ends in a resounding no. This unconventional choice has sparked conversations about making legal education more accessible and exploring diverse paths in the legal profession.

What is the hardest law school to get into in Canada?

Law School Acceptance Rates in Canada

  • University of Toronto Faculty of Law: The acceptance rate is typically around 17% to 20%.
  • Osgoode Hall Law School (York University): The acceptance rate is typically around 15% to 20%.
  • McGill University Faculty of Law: The acceptance rate is generally around 17% to 20%.

What is the happiest law school?

1 in Best Quality of Life, Best Professors, Best Classroom Experience | University of Virginia School of Law.

Is UBC a good law school?

Allard School of Law at UBC is one of the world's leading centres for legal education and research. Its faculty members engage in research with local, national, and global impact and provide students with some of the most extensive and innovative curricular opportunities of any Canadian law school.

What is the #1 law school in the world?

While rankings vary by source, Harvard Law School consistently ranks as the #1 law school globally in major rankings like QS and Research.com, often followed closely by universities such as Yale, Oxford, Stanford, and Cambridge, with US schools dominating the top spots. Harvard is known for its prestige, extensive resources like the world's largest academic law library, and influential alumni network. 

What is UBC law school ranked in the world?

Consistently ranked as one of the top ten law schools in Canada and the top 35 in the world, the Allard School of Law is a place to be inspired, follow your passions and make a difference in the community and beyond.

What is the no. 1 toughest degree in the world?

The top 10 hardest degrees in the world commonly include: (1) Medicine, (2) Engineering (various branches), (3) Chartered Accountancy, (4) Architecture, (5) Physics, (6) Aerospace Engineering, (7) Chemical Engineering, (8) Law, (9) Pharmacy, and (10) Mathematics.

Why is UBC so hard to get into?

Admission is Competitive but Holistic – UBC considers grades, program prerequisites, and a Personal Profile that showcases your leadership, extracurriculars, and personal growth. Competitive programs (e.g., Engineering, Commerce, Computer Science) require high 80s to low 90s averages.

What is 76% at UBC?

At UBC, 76% falls within the B+ letter grade, typically spanning the 76-79% range, which signifies good performance, often translating to a GPA of around 3.3-3.6 depending on the scale used (UBC Okanagan uses 3.3 for 76%). This grade indicates solid work, though some programs like Master of Management might set 76% as a minimum pass for their Pass/Fail system.