Ella Majer, ArtSci ’26, often finds herself sitting in Stauffer Library, surrounded by towering stacks of textbooks and the scent of fresh coffee wafting through the air to keep her awake, but her stomach twists with unease as she keeps the daunting statistics about acceptance rates for law school at the forefront of her mind.
Acceptance rates for law and medical school have long been a significant concern for aspiring applicants. Admission is determined by several factors including Grade Point Average (GPA), the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT), the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT), extracurriculars, written applications, reference letters, field experience, and so on.
Needless to say, the idea of law or medical school for any student is an anxiety inducing thought.
“In Ontario, the success rate for getting an offer [to law or medical school] is lower than 10 per cent for applicants to many schools,” Marsha Barber, a professor at Toronto Metropolitan University’s (TMU) School of Journalism reported in University Affairs.
“Last year, for example, McMaster University had 5,270 applicants for 206 places. Queen’s University had 4,686 candidates for 100 places. These admissions rates are not unusual,” Barber said.
Medical school isn’t the only program suffering from the difficult task of admissions, where most Canadian law schools range from an acceptance rate of six to 15 per cent, as reported by Career in Law.
Even when a student achieves a perfect GPA, MCAT or LSAT score, and is flooded with recommendations, it’s often not enough, Barber said.
“As an academic and parent of a medical student, I’ve watched the admissions process unfold with dismay,” Barber said. “Medical schools strive for fairness and holistic criteria, yet barriers persist. The process often favors wealthier students and lacks structure, while schools must support prospective applicants from an earlier age. Similarly, the law school process benefits those who can take time off to prepare for the LSAT.”
Despite the competitive landscape, the stories of resilience among aspiring law and medical students highlight a shared determination that transcends mere statistics.
In an age where mental health is paramount, the pressure to succeed in applications weighs heavily, prompting many like Majer to seek solace in the camaraderie of their peers through pre-law and pre-medical school societies and clubs.
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The dynamic efforts of organizations like Queen’s Pre-Law Society (QPLS), Queen’s Women’s Pre-Law Society (QWPLS), and the Queen’s University Exploring Medicine Association (QUEMA) reflect a growing awareness of the need for supportive communities that empower students in navigating these daunting application processes.
The QPLS holds a current mission statement to “create a dynamic and inclusive community of aspiring legal professionals at Queens University […] and to foster a deep understanding of law, promoting academic excellence, and encouraging professional development.”
“QPLS hosts a variety of events that aim to provide the greatest possible opportunities for those interested in pursuing law school for their undergraduate degree such as the Mentorship Program and 7Sage Partnership,” QPLS Co-President Kaila McGuinty, ArtSci ’26, said in a statement to The Journal.
“As an aspiring law student, I know firsthand how complex the legal field can appear to someone wanting to start out,” McGuinty said. “Through QPLS, we try to eradicate some of these barriers to make it easier for students and provide an outlet for learning and opportunity.”
For McGuinty, one of the most important factors of QPLS is providing a space where students feel welcome and where they have access to events and opportunities that can further connect them to legal professionals and mentors, no matter their previous experience.
“QPLS aims to educate students about inequalities that are present in the legal field, particularly regarding Indigenous rights and issues—done through our partnership with the Raven Trust!” Co-President Alex Ling, Comm ’26, said in a statement to The Journal.
The challenges faced by women in law continue to motivate groups like QWPLS, fostering an environment where shared experiences cultivate both personal growth and professional success.
“The QWPLS aims to foster a supportive and inclusive community for women-identifying pre-law students, providing opportunities to connect, learn, and grow together,” Co-President, Victoria Da Silva, ArtSci ’25, said in a statement to The Journal. “Our mission is to equip members with the essential skills and resources needed to confidently pursue a successful career in law.”
Da Silva explained the club offers students many different support options through navigating the law school admissions process, such as providing LSAT prep discounts through the Princeton Review as well as “providing experiential learning opportunities such as shadowing women lawyers in the Kingston community.”
The Princeton Review offers test preparation courses, tutoring services, and guidebooks for various tests—and is a very popular and well-known preparation course taken by LSAT studiers.
“Through events, we link members with female-identifying lawyers across Ontario, offering professional development skills and practical advice for the application process,” Da Silva said.
Da Silva notes that members of QWPLS have found their experience highly rewarding, as she has seen several members of the 2024 executive team and general membership successfully transition into law school.
In the absence of QWPLS, Da Silva explained students wouldn’t have the same access to such a supportive and empowering environment for women-identifying students to navigate the unique challenges they may face in pursuing a legal career.
“The legal profession has been historically male-dominated, and while significant progress has been made, women still encounter many barriers associated with representation, mentorship, and equal opportunity,” Da Silva said. “QWPLS helps address these challenges while fostering the confidence to encourage our members to break through systemic barriers and succeed in law.”
Ayesha Shehzad, ArtSci ’25, president and founder of QUEMA, saw the need to create a club that supports Queen’s students aspiring to attend medical school.
“QUEMA fills a vital gap by providing tailored guidance and community support to pre-med students—the journey to medical school can be overwhelming, and having access to resources, mentorship, and peer support helps students stay focused, confident, and well-prepared,” Shehzad said in a statement to The Journal.
“I know in my first year of university, I didn’t have any clue on what to do, and the abundance of information online can sometimes be way too overwhelming to look through,” Shehzad said. “That’s why I started the club, in hopes that first year pre-med students, and even upper years don’t have to start building a pre-med career in the dark.”
Students and executive members alike find themselves benefiting from the presence of pre-law and pre-medical school societies.
“Pre-Law societies have had a truly positive impact on me—providing me chances to engage in scenarios similar to that I would have in law school, for example, mock trials,” Majer said in an interview with The Journal.
“Since my first year on campus, being a general member for both QPLS and QWPLS has been the most beneficial, and quite frankly, favourite experience related to law I’ve had in my undergrad,” Majer said.
“I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to connect with firms and lawyers in both Kingston and the broader Greater Toronto Area (GTA),” Da Silva said.
Reflecting on her journey, Da Silva underscores the importance of adaptability, illustrating how skills gained through involvement in these societies can be leveraged beyond the classroom.
“Arguably even more valuable, are the relationships I’ve made with the students in QPLS, where the club has brought me to some of my closest friends, and working alongside such an amazing executive team makes the work we do even more meaningful,” McGuinty said. “The field of law can be overwhelming but having a pre-law club like QPLS provides a space where students can figure it out alongside one another.”
However, one must consider whether these societies genuinely benefit students or if they merely offer false hope to many.
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Hayley Crooks, Law ’25, reflects on how her experience with medical school and law schools was not greatly influenced by being absent from any pre-law or pre-medical school clubs at her alma matter.
Crooks graduated from her undergraduate degree in forensic science from Laurentian University
Despite not being a member of these clubs, Crooks finds herself as the 2024-25 Law Student Society president, as well as an individual with vast experience on the application processes associated with law and medical schools.
“As a student who came from a smaller university with not much club experience or any clubs relating to pre-law or pre-med, I don’t think I was at a disadvantage as I was still accepted to multiple law schools and even interviewed at med school,” Crooks said in a statement to The Journal.
Crooks found the most success in her journey to law school from her past experiences, not whether she was a member of these clubs. She rather departs wisdom on her experience to the importance of building relationships and being active in the school community.
“As someone who applied to both medical and law school, my applications were pretty much the same. I tried focusing more on volunteer work and extracurriculars and made sure to form relationships with my professors,” Crooks said.
As Crooks reflects on her application strategy, Shehzad chimes in with a broader perspective, noting that while some students can succeed without pre-med clubs, there are hidden challenges they may face.
“Although many students can still pursue a career in medicine without being a part of an organization like this, I still feel as though, they are at a disadvantage [for not joining pre-med clubs],” Shehzad said.
“Through clubs like these, you’re also networking with your peers, learning not just through coursework but from conversations,” Shehzad said.
Building on this idea, she added, “It never hurts to ask questions during events with professionals, who often provide insights that you can’t find online. Even I’m still learning something new at every event we host, and from my team as well. This collaborative environment accelerates growth in ways that might be harder to find on your own.”
Recognizing the value of these professional interactions, Da Silva highlights how pre-law clubs contribute to a broader educational experience and would hesitate to say that students not involved in pre-law clubs are at a disadvantage when pursuing a law education.
Da Silva presents how the holistic nature of the admission process means law school committees tend to seek applicants with diverse extracurriculars and experiences—where transferable skills are valued more over whether an activity is directly related to law.
“That said, joining pre-law clubs can significantly enhance a candidate’s competitiveness by offering unique access to valuable resources, networks, and experiences specific to the field,” Da Silva said.
To ensure students are better prepared for their careers, it’s crucial to examine how pre-law and pre-med programs could enhance their effectiveness.
Looking ahead, Da Silva envisions a future where an LSAT study program provided by QWPLS could provide essential resources, paving the way for more equitable access to preparation materials
Building on this vision for greater access, Shehzad emphasizes that enhancing support through an expanded mentorship program can further empower students on their journey to law and medical schools.
“Offering more resources for financial aid, scholarships, and the hidden curriculum in medical school applications could also help address specific student needs—additionally, we could collaborate with other pre-health clubs to diversify our offerings,” Shehzad said.
Shehzad’s emphasis on collaboration highlights the importance of community support, a sentiment echoed by Majer as she recognizes the insights gained from her peers and mentors are equally crucial in shaping her path to law school.
Yet, as Majer, just like many other students, navigate her journey, she reflects on the lessons learned from her peers and mentors within these societies may prove just as vital as academic achievements in securing her place in law school.
Shehzad provides any students looking to apply to law school and medical school words of inspiration and hope.
“I know the competition is tough, and these pathways are challenging, but if you truly want to pursue something, you absolutely can—you just have to put your mind to it and stay dedicated,” Shehzad said.
Shehzad believes that discouraging statistics should be overlooked, emphasizing instead “you create your own path and make your own destiny.”
“Stay focused, work hard, and believe in yourself—because you are capable of achieving your dreams—no matter how unattainable they might be to you sometimes!” Shehzad said.
The journey of aspiring law and medical students may now not just be about acceptance rates; rather, about building a community that supports everyone’s unique path toward success.
Tags
Law school, LSAT, MCAT, medical school, pre-law, pre-med
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