TRU, UNB, or UOttawa???

[cuincourt2027]

Hello!

Been accepted to all 3 and been given a deadline by May 18th to pay for my seat! It’s CRUNCH TIME! Help!!

For current and past students of these Law Schools, how would you rate your experience? What’s something your School didn’t provide you with, but you wish it did?

-Faculty/quality of education? (Obviously looking for good profs that care that you learn and are prepared for the practice of law).

-Living/Social-Life? (I’m a foodie and very active, so I’m looking to live somewhere with things to do).

-Job Prospects? (Getting into any Canadian Law School these days is a pretty big deal, but I want to go to one that has a good name. One that has pretty established networks, and pumps out very good Summer and Articling students).

(Very gratefully, I’ve made some good money working full-time, so tuition/living expenses aren’t really a deciding factor for me).

Edited May 14, 2024 by cuincourt2027

[Lawstudents20202020]

The biggest consideration you should be asking yourself is where do you want to practice once you graduate. 

[biffo852]

Given that money is not a great concern, you want to live in a place that is happening, and you want a reputable school. It seems to me UOttawa would be the best choice.

Ottawa is far more happening than either Kamloops or anywhere in New Brunswick. 

Ottawa has alumni all over the federal government, the local law firm scene, and also sends a respectable amount of people to Toronto big law. 

I would only course Kamloops if you were dead set on practicing in BC. Even then, the tuition is quite high and it's okay to go to BC from Ottawa. UNB? I don't really know of a good reason to go to UNB. 

[cuincourt2027]

Thank you for your replies!

It’s hard for me to answer the “where do you want to work” question because I see myself working at a firm with offices on the West and East Coast. I also see myself eventually getting my California and Chicago license (I have family and connections in those places), and being pretty transnational. My job in Calgary has allowed me to form very strong connections with some lawyers, so I didn’t really think the “where you go to school determines where you work” as being a deciding factor. I think where one works also depends on where one finds a partner, which isn’t a thing for me right now, but might be in the future lol.

So I guess what matters most to me is which school has better profs and a better reputation?

[biffo852]

Without hesitation. From among the three, Ottawa is the most established with a strong faculty, and alumni across the province  practicing as government lawyers, bay street partners, and law professors.

TRU is far newer and less established (though the alumni networks are getting pretty good in BC). UNB is very established but its impact is largely regional (Maritimes). 

[shafique]

Strong agree! Ottawa's reputation and alumni network across legal fields put it ahead. UNB excels regionally, while TRU is a rising star with developing connections.