Law Menu
FAQs
Applying to TRU Law
When is the application deadline for admission to TRU Law?
Applications for the Fall intake opens on September 1 Applications along with supporting documents will be accepted until the final deadline date of February 10. Applications are considered on a rolling basis and offers will be made in advance of this date. Thus, students are encouraged to submit complete applications as early as possible.
How do I apply?
Visit the applications page for instructions on how to apply.
What documents are needed in addition to my completed application form?
Visit the applications page for instructions on how to apply.
How much is the application fee?
The application fee for Canadian students is $121.86 and is non-refundable. The application fee for International students is $149.30 and is non-refundable. We do not offer fee waivers. Further details are available on the applications page.
Which category of admission should I select?
You may select from one of the following three categories of Admission: Regular Applicant, Indigenous Canadian Applicant or Special Consideration Applicant.
Regular Applicant:
A regular applicant has:
- Obtained an undergraduate degree in an approved course of study from a degree granting institution; or
- Successfully completed the first 3 years (minimum 90 credits) or more of an approved course of studies leading to an undergraduate degree from a degree granting institution.
Indigenous Canadian Applicant:
If you are Indigenous, you may apply in either the Regular or the Indigenous Canadian applicant category. See the Indigenous Applicants page for more information.
Special Consideration Applicant:
Because of special circumstances in life, your application may not be as competitive as a regular applicant and you may seek admission under the Special Consideration category. This category of admission usually requires supplemental documentation. Examples of special circumstances in life include: disability or special needs, financial disadvantage, age (over 30), membership in a historically disadvantaged group, residency in a small and/or remote community, or any other factors that you would ask the Admissions Committee to consider.
How can an applicant prepare academically for law school? What courses should an applicant take in their undergraduate degree?
The type of undergraduate degree you select is not important to us. We encourage you to complete a Bachelor’s degree in a discipline that you enjoy. We find that students who enjoy what they learn, likely get better grades. TRU Law accepts students into the faculty from a variety of academic disciplines, which creates an enriched and diverse environment in the law school. You can expect that students in your class will come from a variety of undergraduate, social, socio-economic, and cultural backgrounds.
Where do I send my transcripts?
Only official transcripts will be accepted, and they must be sent directly from the granting institution. If you are in the process of completing your Fall semester, please wait until your final fall grades are posted before requesting your post-secondary institution to send us your transcripts. Your application will not be assessed until those grades are completed and received.
Official electronic copies can be sent to lawadmissions@tru.ca.
If the institution is sending hard-copies, please have them sent to:
Admissions, Faculty of Law
Thompson Rivers University
805 TRU Way
Kamloops, BC, V2C 0C8
Do I need to have a copy of my final winter grades sent in after the February 10th submission deadline?
No. We require all your grades completed by December 31st of the year prior to the intake year (ie. if applying for Fall 2023, we would require final transcripts for grades completed by December 31st 2022).
What is the last Law School Admission Test (LSAT) I can write to be considered for admission?
Your LSAT must be written by January of the intake year.
Our Admissions office will request your LSAT score(s) be forwarded directly from the Law Schools Admissions Council upon completion of your application package. Be sure to note on your application when you will be taking the LSAT. We will wait until your final scores are received before assessing your application.
Does the Faculty of Law average multiple LSAT scores?
No. Your highest LSAT score will be reported and considered when your application is reviewed. However, all scores are included in the application file for the admission committee members to view. A significant increase in score will be noted.
How can an applicant register for the LSAT?
To register for the LSAT, please visit www.lsac.org.
Are letters of reference required?
Yes. You will need two letters of reference. Reference letters should be one to two pages in length. All reference letters must be forwarded directly by the referees to the TRU Law Admissions Office (either by mail, with the referee's signature across the seal, to 805 TRU Way, Kamloops, BC, V2C 0C8 or by email to lawadmissions@tru.ca - please ensure your first and last name appear in the subject line).
Applicants are responsible for requesting letters from their referees. TRU Law does not reach out to them to request a letter. Applicants are urged to provide an academic reference. If you are unable to provide an academic reference, please explain why in your application.
Non-academic references should be written by someone who has had interactions with you in a professional capacity. Examples of non-academic references include a current employer, a former employer, or an individual from an organization that you have volunteered with. Applicants are encouraged to avoid non-academic references from family members.
What should my personal statement say about me?
Through the personal statement, members of the admissions committee attempt to develop some insight into your history, experience, and character.
TRU Faculty of Law is interested in selecting excellent candidates who will thrive and succeed in law school and beyond. TRU law students and graduates have in a short time built a reputation as self-starting, resilient, collaborative and ethically-centred.
We are proud of a student body that is representative of Canada’s diverse population, and we produce graduates who serve communities throughout British Columbia and the nation. We are committed to improving access to legal education and legal services for Canada's Indigenous peoples, and also for communities throughout the interior of the province.
We invite you to identify any ways in which your background, interests, and ambitions align with any of the objectives of the Faculty of Law and will contribute to the vibrant culture and continued success of the law school and its growing body of graduates. Your personal statement should be no longer than 750 words.
How do I check if all my documents have been received?
Be sure to visit your myTRU account to check the status of your application and see if anything is missing. You’ll need your TRU ID number to login, so be sure to check your junk mail if you do not receive it via email within 3-5 business days. If you have applied in previous years, your TRU ID number has not changed. If you have trouble logging in, please reach out to our IT Department at ITServiceDesk@tru.ca
Tuition
How much are tuition and fees?
$10,443.96 plus $638.66 in additional fees per semester for first year students in the 2022/23 school year. Please note, tuition and fees tend to go up by about 2% per year. The full year cost is $22,165.24. This does not include the cost of books or $248 for the Health & Dental Plan. International student fees for 1L (2022/23) come to $41,420.06 per year.
Program Details
Does TRU Law offer a part-time or an online degree program?
No. The JD program at TRU Law is a full-time, 3-year program. First-year students can expect to have classes Monday through Friday.
How many years is the full-time JD program?
It is a 3-year degree program.
What are my job prospects after graduating from TRU Law, and what support and opportunities will I receive along the way and after graduation?
Most TRU Law students choose to article after graduation. Since our inception, 94-99% of students known to be seeking articles reportedly secured them within nine months of graduation. Our students have been successful in obtaining positions in private practice, including with well-known regional, national, and international law firms. They’ve obtained clerkship positions with various Canadian courts, and they’ve obtained jobs with government employers, non-profits, and corporations.
Students at TRU Law, as well as TRU Law alumni, receive year-round support from the TRU Law Career Services Office, which provides career-related information and services to connect students and recent graduates with the legal community.
After Receiving Your Offer
Where will the classes be held?
All classes will be on the Thompson Rivers University campus in Kamloops, British Columbia. View our map.
When is payment of tuition and fees due?
Tuition for the Faculty of Law is due on September 2, 2022 as per the TRU Important Dates.
What resources are available for students at TRU?
What housing options are available for students at TRU?
Find off-Campus Housing resources here.
Students interested in TRU’s On-Campus Housing should visit TRU Housing
Where can I locate child care resources?
There are a number of options available in Kamloops for child care. Parents electing off-site day care options have a variety of alternatives in most communities. These are a few resources:
TRU offers an on-campus daycare centre.
How do I qualify for financial aid?
Information about financial aid can be found at TRU Financial Aid, or by contacting the Financial Aid office at 250-828-5024.
Are health services available on campus for students at TRU?
TRU Students have access to medical and health services on campus. The clinic on campus is located in the Old Main Building – Lower Level. For further information about health related services, please visit TRU Health & Safety or TRUSU Health & Dental
How do I find a family physician in Kamloops?
For a listing of Kamloops doctors accepting new patients, visit College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC or call the Royal Inland Hospital at 250-374-5111.
