How it works
Depending on the program you applied to, you’ll see one or two interview links in your Waterloo applicant portal:
All Engineering applicants will see the Online Engineering Interview.
- Optional but highly recommended for admission, required for Faculty of Engineering entrance scholarship consideration.
- You will be asked to compose a video response to the following question:
- What experience(s) inside or outside the classroom motivated you to apply to your chosen engineering program? (90 second response limit)
- You will also be asked two non-graded yes/no questions for scholarship purposes:
- Have you participated in FIRST Robotics? Yes/No
- Do you have a demonstrated interest in entrepreneurship (e.g., have you started a business or been self-employed)? Yes/No
Software Engineering applicants will also see the Online Software Engineering Interview.
- Required for admission to Software Engineering.
- You will be asked to compose a written response to the following question:
- As an applicant to Software Engineering, you are required to demonstrate that you have experience and interest in computer programming. For every programming language in which you have experience, list the language, number of months experience you have in using the language (not how long you have known it) and capacity in which you used the language (e.g., courses completed, work experience, self-education). (600-character limit)
Systems Design Engineering applicants will also see the Online Systems Design Engineering Interview.
- Required for consideration for the Kish Hahn Memorial Award.
- You will be asked to compose a video response to the following question:
- Describe how you designed and implemented a system, activity or thing in your personal, academic or work life. (90 second response limit)
What we look for
This video interview will give us the opportunity to virtually meet you and get a sense of who you are, which is helpful in determining admissibility. The best way to do well is to be yourself and answer the question(s) honestly.
Think of this video interview as great practice for all of the co-op interviews you’ll be part of, should 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, or two, depending on the program you have applied to, 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