Application Process

The following application process covers Waterloo’s Architecture and Engineering programs. For applications to the Chemical and Civil Engineering programs at our United Arab Emirates Campus, please visit uae.uwaterloo.ca.

1. Review our Programs

Waterloo Engineering offers 12 top-notch programs on our main campus, as well as our renowned School of Architecture in Cambridge.
Not sure which one is for you? Take our online quiz to gain a better idea of your options, and then contact us to discuss your future at Waterloo.

2. Determine your Applicant Type

Admission requirements vary based on an individual’s current status. Determine your applicant type and review the information most relevant to your situation

• Secondary School Students Studying In Canada
  • Students currently attending an Ontario high school
  • Students currently attending a Canadian high school outside of Ontario
  • Students currently attending an International Baccalaureate or French Baccalaureate program
• Secondary School Students Studying Outside of Canada
  • International Students
  • Canadian Students currently enrolled in secondary-school systems outside of Canada
• Mature Students
  • Students who have been out of high school for three years or more
  • Students who have already completed a university degree
• Current or Recent College or University Students
  • Students who are currently attending or recently attended an Ontario College of Applied Arts and Technology
  • Students who are currently attending or recently attended another university wishing to apply for first-year studies
• Students Seeking Advanced Admission
  • Students who wish to enter directly into second- or third-year studies
• Students Seeking Transfer Credits
  • Students who are taking or have taken IB, A-Level, or AP courses
  • Students currently attending a college, university, or CEGEP program

3. Review Application Requirements and Timeline

Prior to submitting an application, ensure that you are familiar with and meet the minimum requirements for:

• Academic Course Requirements
• Admissions Averages
• Admissions Timeline

Please note that the Faculty of Engineering only accepts applications to the fall school term, which begins in September of each year.

4. Apply via the Ontario University Application Centre

- All applications to Waterloo’s Architecture and Engineering programs are processed via the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC), with the exception of internal transfer students or students who were previously enrolled at Waterloo. Students are encouraged to apply online, and hardcopies of your completed application can be obtained by contacting the OUAC following submission.

Ranking your Program Choices

Waterloo Engineering offers direct-entry programs, meaning that students are admitted into specific engineering disciplines in first-year studies. This approach is in contrast to institutions that offer a general first year, in which students select their disciplines prior to the second-year of studies.

Applications to Engineering

• Applicants must select one Waterloo Engineering program (civil, mechanical, systems design, software, etc.) on the OUAC application
  • This should be the program you are most interested in—not the one that you think is easiest to get into
• Applicants will be able to submit two alternate engineering programs on the Admission Information Form, for which they will be considered if they are not accepted into their first choice
  • Preference for each program will be given to students who select that program on the OUAC form

Applications to Architecture

• Applications to our School of Architecture are handled independently from our engineering programs, and are available as a separate choice on the OUAC application form.

Applications to Both Engineering and Architecture

• Applicants who are interested in both architecture and engineering can apply to both programs via the OUAC
• Please note that this will require you to use two of your three OUAC choices (one for each program). Programs should be ranked in your order of preference.

Submitting your OUAC Application

Ontario Secondary School Students

• Apply online through the OUAC Web site, using the OUAC 101 application form
  • Consult with your high-school guidance counsellor or counselling office to get your application pin number
• The deadline for Ontario students to apply for admission in September 2012 is January 11, 2012, but applicants are strongly encouraged to submit as soon as possible

All Other Applicants

• Apply online through the OUAC Web site, using the OUAC 105 application form
• • The deadlines for non-Ontario students to apply for admission in September 2012 are:
    • Architecture: February 10, 2012
    • Engineering: March 1, 2012
  • Please note that it can sometimes take several weeks from the time you apply for your acknowledgement e-mail from Waterloo to arrive—applicants are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible

5. Submit your Admissions Information Form

After you apply via the OUAC, you will receive instructions on how to access and complete an Admission Information Form (AIF) online. On this form, we will ask you about extracurricular activities, work experience, and any other information you think is vital to your application, which is considered in our overall evaluation of each applicant.

Applicants should submit the AIF within three weeks of receiving the acknowledgement e-mail. In order to speed processing of your application, it is recommended that you complete your AIF as soon as possible.

Architecture

• The deadline for submission of the AIF is February 29, 2012

Engineering

• Applicants will be asked to provide up to two other engineering programs for which they would like to be considered if they are not accepted into their first choice
• The deadline for submission of the AIF is February 29, 2012
  • Exception: If you receive your acknowledgment e-mail after February 8, 2012, check the AIF page on findoutmore.uwaterloo.ca for revised submission deadlines

6. Submit your Supporting Documentation

Ontario Secondary School Students

Grade transcripts for current Ontario secondary-school students are automatically provided by the OUAC, and no further scores are required, unless you are taking extra courses not reported on your transcript or need to meet the English Language Requirement.

All Other Applicants

Applicants are responsible for submitting supporting documentation, including transcripts with mid-term or predicted grades (which you should obtain from your high school), by the following dates:

• Architecture: March 7, 2012
• Engineering: March 30, 2012

Following receipt of their OUAC applications, applicants will receive further instructions from Waterloo via e-mail. The earlier you submit your documentation, the earlier we will be able to consider you for admission.

Architecture

Architecture applicants will be given a separate deadline to submit portfolios at a later date.

7. Await Further Notification

Architecture

Following an initial screening of applicants, the School of Architecture will schedule interviews with short-listed candidates, including portfolio reviews and a précis test. For more information, please see Undergraduate Admissions on the Architecture Web site.

Following the interview process, offers of admission will be sent out in early May.

Engineering

Offers of admission for Waterloo Engineering will be posted between late March and May. The timing of offers is dependent on the number of completed applications received in time for decisions in each round. All final decisions for first-year Engineering will be posted to applicants’ OUAC accounts by late May.

Questions and Clarifications?

Before contacting us, we ask that you review the application process in detail. Should you have additional questions or require clarifications, please e-mail us.

Thank you very much for considering architecture and engineering programs the University of Waterloo. We wish you the best of luck, wherever your future takes you!