Want to know how to get into Western University? You're in the right place. Ranked among the top 1% of higher education institutions worldwide, Western University is one of the most popular and competitive universities of Ontario and, consequently, Canada. This blog will go over everything you need to know to be a competitive applicant and get into Western University. We'll look at the undergraduate programs, the OUAC application process, admissions requirements, and much more.
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Mission Statement
“We foster informed global citizenship through transformative educational opportunities. We are an engaged academic community guided by the values of integrity and ethics, equity and social justice, and academic and research excellence. We are deeply committed to the delivery of innovative research-intensive and online professional academic programs, which aim to enhance equity and accessibility for all learners; rigorous research defined by high academic and social impact; and culturally and socially responsive service that aims to produce high-quality outcomes that positively affect education and benefit all of society.”
Tip: Mission statements are important to know! You can utilize the mission statement and share how it resonates with you and your personal values if you complete college essays or document any extracurriculars for college. You can also include your understanding of the mission in your responses to interview questions (should an interview be required for your program).
Admissions Statistics
Western University currently has an estimated acceptance rate of 58%. The average accepted GPA is 3.4, and the average grade of first-year entering classes is just under 90%, one of the highest in the country. Although, it is worth noting that this average does vary depending on the faculty and program you’re interested in—some may accept slightly lower (or, require higher) GPAs. The competition to get into this world-renowned university is fierce, and these averages tell us that Western, as a distinguished academic and research institution, values a solid academic background.
The average we recommend striving for to be a competitive Western University undergraduate applicant:
Eligibility
To be eligible for consideration at Western University, you need to be proficient in English and have completed (or be in the process of completing) high school. You will need to have successfully graduated by matriculation. While the school does not have a general minimum cut-off for grades, specific programs have their own requirements that students have to meet. Most of them require an 80% average or higher. We recommend striving for 90% so that you can be a competitive applicant.
Western University also accepts international applicants (on a study permit or visa) for both undergraduate and graduate programs. To be eligible, applicants must meet academic qualifications equivalent to Canadian standards and provide proof of English proficiency if it is not their first language. More information can be found on their international applicants webpage.
About Western University Undergrad
Western University has been consistently ranked as one of Canada’s top research universities. From fundamental to applied knowledge, Western has been at the forefront of discoveries that benefit economic, social, health, and cultural development in Canada and worldwide. It’s been highly ranked, and is known Social Sciences & Management, followed by Life Sciences & Medicine, Engineering and Technology, Arts & Humanities, and Natural Sciences.
Many students come to Western without knowing what exactly they want to study, and they get a chance to explore different topics during their first year before they have to confirm a concentration. During the “common first year” as Western calls it, students can take introduction classes from different faculties and explore their interests. This is quite similar to the University1 program offered at the University of Manitoba.
When it comes time to pick a major or concentration, Western students can choose between 17 different types of degrees specializing in one topic or a combination of topics offered by one of the twelve different undergraduate faculties.
Applying to Western
Ontario Universities Application Centre (OUAC)
Applicants need to create an Ontario Universities Application Centre (OUAC) account to apply to university in Ontario. OUAC is a centralized application system for applications to most universities in the Canadian province of Ontario. OUAC processes multiple types of applications, including undergraduate programs. First-time applicants who are still attending high school in Ontario, have never taken courses from post-secondary institutions, and are 21 years old or younger use the Undergrad 101 application form. On the other hand, international students, mature students, and Canadian students who have already graduated from high school at the time of their application use the undergrad 105 application form.
The OUAC application will also ask you to provide information about your current high school curriculum, grades, and previous experiences. You will need to enter the information about your experiences in the OUAC activities section, which is pretty similar to the Common App activities section used for college applications in the United States. This includes volunteer work, professional work, and extracurriculars.
Application Components
Within two to five business days of submitting your OUAC application, you will receive an email with the information you'll need to log onto the Western University student center. It is important that you sign up right away and check this platform often, as it is how the admissions board will be communicating with you. The student center account will allow you to keep track of your application, and it will also have what Western University calls a to-do list. All the documents you need to upload will be listed in this section of the student center, and it is your responsibility to ensure that they are uploaded by the deadline. The school won't be able to review your application if there are items on your To-do list that have not been uploaded.
Tip: Put all the relevant deadlines on your phone calendar and set up notifications for one week before, two days before, and the day of the deadline. That way, you won't need to remember the deadline; you'll just get a reminder when it's close.
Western University will require you to submit one or more supplemental documents pertaining to the following:
Selection Factors
SAT/ACT and GPA
Western University does not have a universal minimum GPA requirement for all programs, but competitive programs like Medical Sciences and Engineering often look for higher GPAs (e.g., above 90% in high school) and strong standardized test scores if applicable.
To increase your GPA (and SAT/ACT scores, for American applicants) focus on consistent study habits, seek tutoring for challenging subjects, take practice tests, and enroll in preparatory courses.
Coursework and Undergrad
Specific prerequisites vary by program. For example, Engineering requires courses in advanced mathematics and sciences.
Generally, students need a full secondary school diploma with at least six Grade 12 U/M courses, including prerequisites for their chosen program.
Experiences Section
The experience section typically includes extracurricular activities, leadership roles, and volunteer work. There is no fixed length, but quality and relevance are important.
Include experiences that demonstrate leadership, community involvement, and alignment with Western’s values of excellence and innovation.
Primary Essays
Western University does not require primary essays for all programs. Some competitive programs may have specific essay requirements.
Prompts and guidelines, if applicable, are usually found on the program’s admissions page. If your chosen program does require an essay, make sure that you highlight personal achievements and goals aligned with the program’s mission!
Supplementary Essays
Supplementary essays may be required for specific programs like Ivey Business School.
Prompts vary, focusing on leadership, teamwork, and career aspirations. Example: "Describe a leadership experience and what you learned from it."
Need tips for your essay? You won't want to miss these 3:
Recommendation Letters
For many undergraduate programs, recommendation letters are not required. But this can vary by program—and some graduate programs do require them. If applicable, Western prefers academic references who can speak to your abilities and character. Typically, two letters are required. Writers should emphasize academic performance, personal integrity, and potential for success in your chosen field.
Additional Requirements
Some programs may require portfolios, particularly in fields like Fine Arts.
Interview Format
Interviews are not generally required for undergraduate programs, except for specific cases like the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry. Format varies from in-person to virtual interviews, and sample questions often revolve around motivation, experience, and fit with the program.
Acceptance and Waitlist Information
Acceptance decisions for most undergraduate programs at Western are typically released in late spring.
Waitlist numbers vary each year. Western does accept letters of intent or update letters.
If you aren’t accepted, don’t give up hope! There is no limit on reapplying if you are initially rejected.
Application Timeline & Admission Decisions
All Western undergraduate students begin their studies in September, during the fall semester. There is no Winter/January admission for undergraduate programs and the summer/May start is only available for transfer or mature students. The application will open on OUAC in October of the year before your studies are set to begin. 101 applicants have until February 1st to submit their application, and 105 applicants have until March 1st. Western does continue to accept applications after this deadline, but it can't guarantee that these late applications will have equal consideration.
Western university processes applications on a rolling basis between February and May, so the earlier you complete your application, the better! We highly recommend that you start preparing your application at the beginning of your senior year so that you can submit it soon after the OUAC portal opens. Barring any complications, Western University takes four to six weeks to process applications.
Students are notified directly by email once an admission decision has been made. They can review their letter of offer, which will contain instructions on how to accept that offer and submit any additional required documentation.
Tuition & Financial Aid
The cost of tuition at Western University can be relatively high, and they are dependent on your chosen program of study. You won't know the exact cost of tuition until you register for your courses at the beginning of a semester, but the school estimates that domestic students pay between $7,816 and $14,305 for tuition fees during their first year, while international students have to pay $40-50,000+, depending on their program.
There are several programs that exist to help both local and international students offset this cost. Along with Western's scholarships, Western University offers numerous grants and bursaries that students can apply for. Furthermore, the university provides student loans and financial aid programs, including a bursary program and a work-study program that allows students to gain valuable work experience while earning an income. Western University also honours the Jay Treaty for Indigenous students.
Domestic students from the province of Ontario are also eligible to receive many benefits through the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP). We recommend working with a Canadian university admissions consultant if you need help finding and applying to the various funding opportunities you could be eligible for.
Contact Information
Website: https://www.uwo.ca/
Email: [email protected]
Mailing address: Western University
1151 Richmond Street
London, Ontario, Canada, N6A 3K7
Tel: 519-661-2111
FAQs
1. Is Western University a good university?
Western University is one of Canada's top universities, and it is world-renowned; whether or not it’s the best choice for you is something you must decide upon researching specific programs!
2. Does Western University accept international students?
Yes, it does. Western has international students from over 100 different countries, and it continues to welcome more international students every year.
3. Is London, Ontario, a good place for international students?
We believe so! London is home to many international students and a large immigrant community in general. It is also only a few hours away from Toronto.
4. What GPA do you need for Western University Canada?
Western University typically has an entering average of around 88%, and last year it was even higher. This suggests that you need a GPA of at least 3.4 to be a competitive applicant.
5. How expensive is Western University in Canada?
The cost of tuition at Western University is on par with other top universities in Canada. Domestic students can expect to pay between $7,816 and $14,305 for tuition fees annually.
6. Does Western have any notable faculty or alumni?
Western is one of Canada’s top universities for research and has many impressive faculty members who have been recognized for their contributions and work. Notable people who attended Western include actor Simu Liu and Canadian astronaut/the first neurologist in space, Roberta Bondar…and many more!
7. Does Western University have admissions interviews?
Western does not conduct general admissions interviews for undergrad applicants, but some programs may require students to audition.
8. Is it hard to get into Western University in Canada?
It is relatively hard. Western has an acceptance rate of 58%, meaning that for every 100 applications they receive, just over half of them get offered admission. If you meet all the requirements and submit a strong application, you can get into Western University.
To your success,
Your friends at BeMo
BeMo Academic Consulting
Please note: although we have made every effort to provide the most accurate information, admissions information changes frequently. Therefore, we encourage you to verify these details with the official university admissions office. You are responsible for your own results. BeMo does not endorse nor affiliate with any official universities, colleges, or test administrators and vice versa.
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