UVic VS Western

[Layton1313]

Context: Have a deposit at UVic and a provisional A at Western. Goals are biglaw. Would prefer to ultimately end up in Vancouver or lateral to the US after a few years of practice - BUT - I know that the salaries are higher and the opportunity for career growth/potentially lateraling to the US is marginally higher with a BL gig in Toronto. So I would be fine working there for a few years.

Was hoping for UBC but am currently riding the waitlist so these are my options for now.

UVic pros: Closer to home as a BC resident. Been to Victoria multiple times and love it as a city, have extended family on the island. Lower tuition. Easier access to Vancouver BL. Enjoyed the community oriented feel of the campus and how they emphasized a non competitive atmosphere.

Uvic cons: Attended admitted students day, didn’t like the big focus on indigenous/environmental law though I’m aware that you can complete a JD without much study in either area. Just felt like the other areas were an afterthought. I wasn’t a fan of the law facilities. There’s construction going on for the new Indigenous Law Center but it’s not expected to be done until 2L or 3L. Main law building was very small, old, and underwhelming. Cost of living is higher. Ferry.

Western pros: More business/corpo oriented. Nicer law facilities. Easier access to Toronto BL. London has lower cost of living than Victoria. My brother (who i’m very close with) is going to university in St. Catharines so I could visit him/take trips to Toronto with him on weekends.

Western cons: Would have to move from BC to ON, never been to London so unsure if I’d like the city. Higher (2x as much) tuition. Would be okay with a few years post-grad in Ontario but I don’t think it’s where I’d want to settle down.

Edited May 13, 2024 by Layton1313

[Dinsdale]

Far too many factors there, many of them personal to you, to come to a clear conclusion.  I will just say, there is no comparison between Western and UVIC if you're trying to get to Bay Street.  Many Bay Street firms don't bother with UVIC at all.  However, it doesn't seem like Bay Street is an overriding goal of yours anyway; more that you're just attracted by the money/experience for a few years. That's not going to be appealing to firms, really, as they want (or want to believe you're in for) a long-term commitment.

[Layton1313]

14 minutes ago, Dinsdale said:

However, it doesn't seem like Bay Street is an overriding goal of yours anyway; more that you're just attracted by the money/experience for a few years. That's not going to be appealing to firms, really, as they want (or want to believe you're in for) a long-term commitment.

Right, I obviously wouldn’t go into OCI’s telling firms “hey i’m dipping after a few years”. The money/experience is the appealing factor and I don’t want to feel like i’m leaving anything on the table career-wise. My main uncertainty is never having been to Ontario.

Edited May 13, 2024 by Layton1313

[Dinsdale]

So expand your horizons!  We don't eat west-coasters or anything.  😃

[BHC1]

15 minutes ago, Layton1313 said:

My main uncertainty is never having been to Ontario.

If feasible, go visit before committing 3 years and possibly the rest of your life to a place you’ve never been to. This is a big decision. 

[biffo852]

Hey! I might have met you during U Vic open day. I had the same feelings as you about U Vic. But ultimately, there are so many Vancouver Big law people that came out of U Vic. Social justice and indigenous law are definitely huge, but many do not go to U Vic for those themes. 

If you liked Victoria, and you want to practice in Vancouver, then I think you should go U Vic. You can go hiking and hang out at the beach every weekend. You still get an education from a good institution (I don't think Western has any advantage on U Vic other than in Ontario). 

London is definitely less beautiful than Victoria, and has much less nature. Victoria is really growing as a city too. 

If you think you'll somehow end up in Bay Street, then Western for sure. But you're not sure. 

Full disclosure, I had to choose between an Ontario school and U Vic a while ago, and I chose Ontario but only because it was Oz (location, reputation won out). But if I had to choose between U Vic and Western I would absolutely choose U Vic.