How it works
Applicants to all Engineering programs (excluding Architecture) are required to complete the online Engineering interview to be considered for admission. Interview responses may also be used for scholarship consideration.
Once we receive your application, we'll send you instructions for logging in to the Waterloo applicant portal, which will include a link to the online interview platform, Kira Talent. The Engineering interview is asynchronous, meaning you can complete it at a time that works for you. After accessing Kira Talent, you'll have the opportunity to complete practice questions to familiarize yourself with the platform and interview format. Once you're ready, you can begin your interview.
You will be asked to record a video response to the following question:
- What experience(s), inside or outside the classroom, motivated you to apply to your chosen engineering program?
Please note that there is a 90-second response limit, and you will have only one opportunity to complete your interview response.
You will also be asked one non-graded yes/no question for scholarship purposes:
- Have you participated in FIRST Robotics? Yes/No
The online Engineering interview must be completed by the document deadline. We encourage you to complete the interview well in advance of the deadline to allow time for any technical issues.
What we look for
There is no "right" answer to the interview question. We're interested in understanding your personal motivation for studying engineering and why you've chosen your specific engineering program.
Strong responses typically:
- Share experiences that genuinely influenced your interest in engineering, whether they occurred in the classroom, through extracurricular activities, work, volunteering, hobbies, competitions, or personal projects.
- Explain how those experiences shaped your interest in your chosen program.
- Demonstrate thoughtful reflection on your goals, interests, and future aspirations.
- Show that you've explored the program and can clearly articulate why it's a good fit for you.
We encourage you to focus on being authentic and specific. We're more interested in hearing your own story and perspective than a rehearsed or "perfect" answer. We also recognize that many applicants are new to interviewing, so assessment focuses on the content of your response rather than polished presentation skills. Think of this as great practice for all the co-op interviews you'll do if you become a Waterloo Engineering student!
How to find it
Once you’ve applied, you will gain access to a personalized Waterloo applicant portal. This will include a checklist of actions you need to complete and where you will gain access to the online interview. The checklist will contain a link that will direct you to the Kira Talent website. This link is unique to you and will allow us to match your interview to your application upon completion. If you do not see the interview on your applicant checklist or have any difficulties with the link, please notify us at enginfo@uwaterloo.ca