Education · 1 of 4

The path

Undergrad, law school, then a licensing year.

1. 1

   High school

   Grades 11 and 12

   Strong marks in English, history and any writing-heavy course. No specific requirements.

2. 2

   Bachelor's degree

   3 to 4 years

   Any subject. Political science, philosophy, history, business and English are common. GPA (grade point average) matters most. Write the LSAT (law school admission test).

3. 3

   Law school (JD, juris doctor)

   3 years

   Three years at one of about two dozen Canadian law schools. Admission is competitive: a 3.7+ GPA and 160+ LSAT are typical at most schools.

4. 4

   Licensing

   About 1 year

   In Ontario: barrister and solicitor exams plus 8 to 10 months of articling (or the Law Practice Program). Other provinces have similar bar admission programs.

5. 5

   Called to the bar

   Ceremony

   You are sworn in and can practise law in that province.