Find answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) after you apply for SERS graduate studies programs.
What is the status of my application?
The status of your application is always available on Quest. Review the instructions for viewing your application status for more information.
Your application status will always appear as "Application" until either an "Admit" or "Deny" decision is applied. Due to the high volume of applications, we receive, we are unable to provide updates on the status of individual applications.
You will receive an email notification from Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs (GSPA) once the "Admit" or "Deny" decision is available on Quest.
When can I get a decision on my application?
As the deadline to apply to SERS graduate programs is February 1st each year, decisions are normally sent out late-February to early April.
Do you accept applications for terms other than Fall term?
We only accept applications for the Fall term each year as our graduate programs have core/required courses that are offered in specific terms and in sequence.
How would I know if my application is complete?
You can determine if your application is complete by reviewing your Documents List on Quest. All required application documents must be marked as Completed. Review the instructions for uploading your application documents for more information.
My referee has not received a request to submit a reference for my application. What should I do?
Referees are contacted via email at the same time that you are sent your Waterloo ID number. Please ask your referee to check their spam/junk folders. They are also sent two reminder emails. You should verify in Quest that you have provided the correct email address. Send an email to gradapp@uwaterloo.ca with the following information:
- Subject Line: Change of Referee Email Address
- Waterloo ID Number (as sent to you via email from Waterloo):
- Program:
- Term to which you have applied:
- Referee Name:
- Old Referee Email Address:
- New Referee Email Address:
Note: If you do not have your Waterloo ID number yet, please wait until you receive it before making this type of request.
I need to change one of my references. What should I do?
Send an email to gradapp@uwaterloo.ca with the following required information:
- Subject Line: Change of Referee
- Waterloo ID Number (as sent to you via email from Waterloo):
- Program:
- Term to which you have applied:
- Old Referee Name:
- New Referee Title:
- New Referee Name:
- Institution:
- Complete Institution address (including city/country):
- Telephone:
- Email Address:
Note: Changing your referees can delay processing of your application up to two weeks. If you do not have your Waterloo ID number yet, please wait until you receive it before making this type of request.
I have applied and paid the application fee but haven’t received my ID number?
A few business days after the processing of your application fee, you will be sent an email from gradapp@uwaterloo.ca which will include your 8-digit (numerical only) Waterloo ID number and further instructions on how to proceed with your application. You may wish to monitor your spam/junk folders for this email.