University of Waterloo: How to Get Accepted in

Mission statement

“The University of Waterloo’s mission is to advance learning and knowledge through teaching, research, and scholarship, nationally and internationally, in an environment of free expression and inquiry.”

Admissions Statistics

The University of Waterloo is considered fairly competitive within Canada as it has an admissions rate of 53% but this varies greatly by Faculty and program. For instance, the Faculty of Engineering, one of the most sought-after faculties, typically requires admission averages in the mid-90s to even be considered. In contrast, faculties such as Arts and Science have slightly lower average requirements, generally ranging from the high 80s to low 90s without additional application materials required.

This will also vary greatly by program. For example, within the Faculty of Science the Biotechnology/CPA program is highlight competitive, whereas General Sciences has much less stringent admissions requirements.

If you are applying to a competitive program and Waterloo is your top choice it will be helpful to include “back-up” programs on your OUAC application. This will usually be done automatically, for example you are offered admission to a regular program instead of co-op stream program. However, this will not be done across Faculties so if you are interested in Software Engineering (one of the most competitive programs at Waterloo) apply to general programs in Computer Science and Mathematics as well.

The University of Waterloo does not provide detailed admissions statistics for International students by program, but ~20% of the school are from abroad, making it a fairly friendly school for International Students in Canada.

Eligibility

Waterloo does not have any stated preferential treatment for Ontario residents or Canadian citizen students, although tuition rates will vary based on status.

Out-of-province students must meet the same academic requirements as Ontario students, but their specific provincial high school curricula are taken into account. Detailed admission requirements are provided for each program and should be cross-checked with provincial guidelines.

International students must meet the academic criteria equivalent to those of Ontario high school students. This includes standardized tests (like SAT or ACT) for some countries, and English language proficiency tests such as TOEFL or IELTS if their first language is not English and they are based at a non-English speaking institution.

Both out-of-province and international students apply through the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC). They need to submit all required documents by the specified deadlines and may also need to complete program-specific requirements.

Notable Programs 

The University of Waterloo is organized into six undergraduate faculties, each offering a variety of programs. Here are the faculties and examples of programs within each:

1. Faculty of Arts : Example programs: Accounting and Financial Management, Psychology
2. Faculty of Engineering: Example programs: Chemical Engineering, Computer Engineering
3. Faculty of Environment : Example programs: Knowledge Integration, Geography and Environmental Management
4. Faculty of Health :Example programs: Kinesiology, Public Health
5. Faculty of Mathematics : Example programs: Computer Science, Statistics
6. Faculty of Science: Example programs: Biology, Environment Science

It is a good idea to review all the programs carefully. There is lots of overlap between programs (For example, Software Engineering and Computer Science or Kinesiology and Biomedical Sciences) but if they are in different faculties they will have different requirements.

Detailed Academic Curriculum

The University of Waterloo's co-operative education (co-op) program is the largest of its kind in North America, offering you the opportunity to gain up to two years of paid work experience before graduation. You will alternate between academic terms and work terms, integrating classroom knowledge with real-world application.

Not only can you gain valuable work and research experience, but this also is a great way to graduate university with less debt! If you are considering applying to medical school, law school, dental school, or other professional programs this is a great way to gain valuable experience to add to your resume.

Here is a sample schedule for a Life Sciences co-op student at the University of Waterloo, illustrating the typical pattern of alternating academic and work terms over five years:



Application Procedure and Timeline

All applications to Waterloo much come in through OUAC, even International students.

OUAC is a unified application system for all programs in Ontario. First-time undergraduate students use the standard 101 application form, as long as they are currently attending high school in Ontario. International students and mature students use the 105 application form. Canadian students not currently attending high school in Ontario should also apply through the 105 application type. 

The OUAC undergraduate application has several components. The application package will include your: 

• Academic transcripts 
• Current high school information and grades 
• Personal statement or college essays 
• OUAC activities section, including work experience, volunteer work and extracurriculars 

Here is a general timeline for OUAC, but double check with your program about deadlines for receiving supplemental materials.



Selection Factors

Grades and Coursework

What grades and courses you need depends on which program you apply for, but universally all programs require a minimum grade of 70% in Grade 12 English (ENG4U). You will be competitive for many programs at Waterloo with an average in the 80s across 6 Grade 12 courses, but will need higher averages for specialized or co-op programs. Given the breadth of programs at Waterloo, even if you have low grades you can still get into a good program!

If you’re applying to Software Engineering, you will need a longer list of courses including coursework in Advanced Functions, Calculus and Vectors, Chemistry, Physics, and Computer Science. You will need a minimum of 70% in each of these courses, but to be competitive you should be aiming for mid-90s in each.

OUAC Activities

All your basic information will go through OUAC. Beyond your coursework and grades you will have to input activities and employment, which is similar to Common App Activities sections. Think carefully about the activities you want to participate in as these can be the difference between admissions and rejection, for example join a coding club if you’re interested in Software Engineering.

Admission Information Form

Whether or not you need additional materials for your application will vary by program. Waterloo has a unique Admission Information Form that is submitted in addition to other materials on OUAC. While this form is specific to Waterloo, you should treat it like an admissions essay for any other University and prepare accordingly. This form will additionally allow you to showcase your high school resume. This is required for programs in Engineering and Mathematics, but it is a good idea regardless of program as this will only improve your chances of admission and may make you eligible for more scholarships.

Additional Considerations

If you are applying to programs in Engineering or Mathematics it is also a good idea to look into relevant competitions like the Euclid Mathematics Contest or the Canadian Computing Competition. These are generally not required, but are important to admissions to competitive programs.

Want to know more about the college application process? Check out the video below.

Interview Format

The only Undergraduate program with interviews at Waterloo are for the Faculty of Engineering. While this interview is optional, it is highly recommended, especially for the more competitive engineering programs. Interviews are required to be considered eligible for scholarships.

The optional virtual interview is minimal, with only two questions relating to your fit at Waterloo Engineering, but college interview prep still important as this could be the difference between acceptance and rejection.

There are a variety of possible questions and Waterloo does not provide a formal list of questions but previous questions have included more general inquiries like “Tell me about yourself” and a more specific question like “why do you want to study engineering at Waterloo?”. Because these are recorded interview questions you will have time to prepare an answer, but try not to completely memorize an answer and come off like a robot.

Tuition and Debt

The University of Waterloo's tuition fees vary depending on the program and the student's residency status. The estimated tuition fees for Canadian citizens and permanent residents living in Ontario range from approximately CAD $9,000 to CAD $18,000 per year, depending on the program.

For international students, tuition fees are significantly higher, ranging from approximately CAD $50,000 to CAD $73,000 per year.

In addition to tuition, students should budget for books, supplies, and other incidental fees, which are estimated to be around CAD $2,500 per year.

Co-op students also pay an additional fee of approximately CAD $750 per term, although keep in mind you will be receiving a full-time salary during your co-op term.

Funding Opportunities

There are several different options for funding your education at Waterloo.

Check out Waterloo’s official Scholarships Website for more information.

Grad and Professional School Rates

Waterloo does not provide specific data on success rates of alumni in graduate or professional school. The co-op program certainly provides students with a CV/resume that is much fuller than the average undergraduate student. This can be an asset in postgraduate programs!

Campus and Faculty

The University of Waterloo's main campus is located in Waterloo, Ontario, approximately 1 hour west of Toronto. The campus is known for its green spaces and modern facilities. The city of Waterloo is part of the larger Waterloo Region, which also includes the neighboring cities of Kitchener and Cambridge.

Transit options to and from the university are plentiful, with GO Transit and Via Rail providing regular train and bus services connecting Waterloo to Toronto. Additionally, the local Grand River Transit (GRT) system offers a newly-constructed ION light rail service that connects key areas within Kitchener and Waterloo to campus.

Waterloo is perfect for you if you want the “traditional” University experience with dorms and a separate campus, but you also want to be connected to the city.

Notable Faculty

For a relatively young university, Waterloo boasts a list of impressive faculty. Notable faculty include Nobel Prize winner Dr. Donna Strickland and former Canadian Governor General the Right Honorable David Johnston.

Research Fields and Affiliated Institutions

The University of Waterloo is renowned for its strong emphasis on research across various fields. Some examples of research excellence at Waterloo are:

1. Quantum Computing and Quantum Information Science: The university is home to the Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC), a world-leading research facility dedicated to advancing the field of quantum information science and technology. Research at IQC spans quantum algorithms, quantum cryptography, and the development of quantum computers.
2. Waterloo Artificial Intelligence Institute (Waterloo.ai): Waterloo.ai focuses on cutting-edge research in artificial intelligence, including machine learning, natural language processing, and computer vision. The institute collaborates with industry partners to apply AI research to real-world problems, enhancing the practical impact of their findings.
3. Nanotechnology: The University of Waterloo boasts a robust research program in nanotechnology, driven by the Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology (WIN). Research areas include nano-engineered materials, nano-electronics, and nano-biosystems, contributing to advancements in healthcare, electronics, and environmental sustainability.

You can take classes with academics working in these institutions which will help you gain research or work experience during your studies.

Contact information

Official admissions office website: https://uwaterloo.ca/admissions/

Email of the admissions office: [email protected]

Phone number: 519-888-4567

FAQs

To your success,

Your friends at BeMo

BeMo Academic Consulting

Disclaimer: BeMo does not endorse or affiliate with any universities, colleges, or official test administrators. The content has been developed based on the most recent publicly available data provided from the official university website. However, you should always check the statistics/requirements with the official school website for the most up to date information. You are responsible for your own results. 

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