3 Reasons Why I Chose UNB Law, and I Think You Should Too
1. Class size
Having done my undergraduate at Carleton University, I'm no stranger to big class sizes. Small class sizes are one of the most significant factors that tipped the scales towards UNB for me. This also means I know how much harder it is to get recognized by your professors and be able to make connections with them.
UNB only admits 90–95 1L students every year. You are then broken down into smaller sections of 45–47 individuals. This small class size allows you to connect with your professors and make an impression. The class size also allows you to bond with your fellow peers, which is one of the main reasons UNB has such a unique collegial atmosphere.
The small class sizes also mean that the school comprises around 265 students, meaning that professors can make time for each student. After talking to some of my peers at Western Law, I can easily say that not all law students have the luxury of getting weekly office hour appointments.
2. Collegial Environment
You are assigned an upper-year peer mentor when you begin orientation as a 1L. Your mentor will answer any of your questions, whether it's about school, how to do your CANS or the best spot to grab a drink. The mentor program is excellent because you have a go-to person while adjusting to law school life. It also creates a bridge that allows you to meet upper-year students and benefit from their knowledge and experience.
Beyond the mentor program, due to the small class size, you get to know everyone attending UNB Law by the end of your first semester. I found this an attractive bonus, as your peers will become your colleagues before you know it. So, you get the advantage of building a solid network before you even begin practising as a legal professional. You can also meet people who share the same passions as you through various clubs and societies active on campus. For example, the International Law Society hosted The Honourable Bob Rae, Ambassador & Permanent Representative of Canada to the United Nations, this year in New York.
Another great bonus is getting paired up with an alumni mentor. The alumni mentors have included legal professionals in various fields and locations across Canada. Some students have even had the pleasure of being assigned current and former Judges across multiple jurisdictions. It's impressive to see how even after many years, alumni still feel connected to the law school and are willing to talk to current students to help them adjust and guide them throughout their law school experience. The alumni mentoring program has helped me critically think about areas of practice that would interest me and has helped me develop and practice my networking skills.
3. Tuition and Cost of Living
The tuition at UNB is much less than most law schools in Canada. Although there was an increase this year, you still end up only paying $15K for the year. That's much less than what most people pay for their undergraduate degrees. Plus, there are so many entrance scholarships you are automatically eligible for and many more scholarships you can apply for.
Fredericton is also a very affordable place to live in. Depending on your budget, you can easily find an apartment or a house near the school for anywhere between $600 to $1,600. The rent for my two-bedroom apartment is the same as what I paid for my one-bedroom in Ottawa. However, I must warn you that it will be harder to get around if you don't have a vehicle since the bus schedule varies and does not run on Sundays. However, that doesn't have to be a deal breaker because the transport system is very reliable, and there's always a friend willing to give you a drive when you need one.
