Admission Information Form (AIF)

The AIF is required for admission for all Engineering programs other than Architecture.

The Admission Information Form is required for admission based on the high volume of applications we receive, many of which come from students with similar admission averages. The AIF allows you to showcase your unique experiences and skills and to discuss why you want to be a Waterloo Engineering student.

We have also seen that students who can excel academically while also engaging in activities outside of the classroom are more likely to be successful in a demanding Waterloo Engineering program.
 
In addition to the common AIF questions, Engineering applicants will be asked about the following.

Courses not taken at day school

You will have the opportunity to tell us about any courses you've taken outside of your regular day school and your reason for doing so. This includes online, night, or summer school courses.

Repeated courses

If you've repeated any of the required courses, please list the course, when it was repeated, and the reason for retaking it.
 
Information about how a course taken outside of day school or a repeated course may impact an admission decision can be found on the frequently asked questions page.

Scholarship consideration, programming knowledge

This section allows you to indicate if you wish to be considered for a Faculty of Engineering scholarship. (You’ll also be considered for university-wide scholarships.) If you've applied to Software Engineering, the section also explains the programming experience requirement.

You're required to complete the online video interview if

• you have applied to Software Engineering or
• you wish to be considered for a Faculty of Engineering entrance scholarship.

Alternate Engineering program choice

You can select one alternate Engineering program on your AIF. You'll be considered for this alternate program only if we're not able to offer you admission to the program you applied to on your OUAC application.
 
Please note that Software Engineering and Biomedical Engineering cannot be selected as alternate choices on the AIF. If you're interested in these programs, you must apply to them directly on your OUAC application.

Highlights and tips

• We're not looking for specific extracurricular activities and do not expect you to have engineering-related experience. Instead, we look for examples of strong time management, interpersonal, and leadership skills, along with a variety of interests.
• Having a part-time or summer job, or a volunteer position that resembles a work environment, can enhance your application. All Waterloo Engineering students participate in co-op, and having work experience to include on your first résumé will make it easier to secure that first co-op job.
• Be honest and authentic. We want to hear about your passions and your reason for applying to the program. Waterloo Engineering students take program-specific courses from day one, so we want to see that you have a good understanding of the program you have applied to. 

The AIF is required for admission.

The Admission Information Form is required for admission because of the high volume of applications that we receive and because we are looking for well-rounded students who have had meaningful experiences outside of the classroom. A student who can do well in school while also engaging in other activities is more likely to be successful at university.

The Faculty of Mathematics looks mainly at three categories of information.

1. Courses

If you repeat a required course or take a course outside of your regular day school, you may jeopardize your chances of being admitted to the Faculty of Mathematics. You should take all your courses in regular day school and do well in your first attempt.

Did you take more than the minimum number of courses required for admission? There's no penalty for only taking the minimum number of courses but the ability to do more may improve your chances of admission.

2. Non-academic activities

We're keen to learn about your activities outside of the classroom, as we place a high value on well-rounded students. What we're looking for is excellence outside of the classroom that complements excellence within.

3. Math contests

Contest participation is not required for admission, but strong performance on math contests can help earn you a place in the Faculty of Mathematics and writing the Euclid Contest and/or the Canadian Senior Mathematics Contest is an important factor in awarding most of our Math scholarships.

The Canadian Computing Competition is most relevant for Computer Science applicants, but if you wrote it, don't hesitate to include your score even when applying to other programs.

The process

Scorers who read the AIFs are trained to evaluate submissions. You can never hurt your chances with the AIF.

Highlights and tips

• Show us how you are involved in activities outside of the classroom and in the world around you.
• Demonstrate the ability to manage multiple activities and priorities while performing at a high level.
• Even if you haven't already been writing Waterloo's mathematics contests, strongly consider writing the Euclid Contest and/or the Canadian Senior Mathematics Contest.

All applicants will see the Admission Information Form in their Quest account.

However, if you applied to a program in the faculties of Arts, Environment, Health, or Science, the AIF is not required and will not be reviewed as part of your application.

All applicants will see the Admission Information Form in their Quest account.

However, for the Architecture program, the AIF is not required and will not be reviewed as part of your application.

The AIF is required for admission.

The Admissions Information Form is required for this competitive program with a large number of applicants. The AIF helps you distinguish yourself among many applicants with similar (excellent) grades and enables us to select students who have the necessary skills, attributes, and experience to succeed.

In addition to questions about courses, extracurricular activities, and achievements, we'll ask you to provide a reference and to highlight any pharmacy-related experience you have.

We ask for one reference to help understand who you are and why you might make a good pharmacist. We will contact your referee once you provide their information. For further information and details, visit the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) application process web page.

The AIF is required for admission.

The Admission Information Form is required for this competitive program with a large number of applicants. Your responses help distinguish yourself among many applicants with similar (excellent) grades and enables us to select students who have the necessary skills, attributes, and experience to succeed.

In addition to questions about courses, extracurricular activities, and achievements, we'll ask you to provide two references and highlight any optometry-related experience you have.

We ask for two references (confidential assessment forms) to help understand who you are and why you might make a good optometrist. We'll contact your referees once you provide their information. For further information and details, review the Optometry Vision Science non-academic requirements.