Offers of admission are made between December and May as we receive updated grades from high schools.

We want to consider all students fairly, so we may wait for updated grades from schools (especially in May). This ensures we have as many grades as possible and we can compare a similar set or number of grades.

The date you may receive an offer of admission depends on

  • the program you've applied to,
  • your grade average, and
  • any special admission requirements (such as video interviews or portfolios for some programs).

The Faculties of Engineering and Mathematics send offers of admission in March and May only.


When will you know if you've been admitted?

Most offers of admission are made in May, once we receive second semester mid-term grades from Ontario schools.

You'll receive an admission decision (an offer of admission or a denial) for each Waterloo program you apply to.

Ontario high school students

All offers of admission will be made by mid-May and you will have until June 3, 2024 to accept.

If you know that Waterloo is the university you wish to attend, we encourage you to accept your Offer of Admission and apply to residence as soon as you receive your Offer.

Other universities may ask for a response before June 3. If you've accepted an offer prior to June 3 – either from Waterloo or from another university – and you wish to change your mind, you may do so through the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) website without penalty up to June 3.

No Ontario university may require a financial commitment from you before June 3.

All other students

Most of our offers of admission are made on a continuing basis as we receive updated transcripts and documents.

You'll have until June 3, 2024, to accept an offer of admission and reserve a spot in residence (if applicable).

 

How will you know if you’ve been admitted?

There are three ways to learn if you’ve been admitted.

  1. We'll email you the exciting news and let you know what your next steps are.
  2. Your Offer of Admission will be posted to your Waterloo Quest account (see how to check your application status). If you're an international student, you’ll be able to download a Letter of Acceptance if you need that for your student visa application.
  3. Your Ontario Universities’ Application Centre account will list the application status for each program/university you applied to.

Conditional offers of admission

Most offers of admission have conditions that need to be met by a certain date (usually over the summer). Conditions can include submitting final transcripts, achieving a specific grade in a required course, having a minimum final average, and sending English language requirements.

Conditions and deadlines will be listed on your Offer of Admission, available through Quest. If you fail to meet your admission conditions by the date on your Offer of Admission, your Offer could be revoked. If you’re concerned that you may not meet your conditions, email the admissions office.

Instructions on how to view conditions →

How to see if your conditions have been met

Conditions on your Offer of Admission will be changed to "Completed" status on Quest after we've received and reviewed applicable documents. Official, final documents must be received by the deadline on your offer letter.

Once you submit your documents, please allow up to three weeks for them to be reviewed. Please continue to regularly check your Quest account for updates to the status of your conditions.


Common questions about offers of admission


Important notes

All documents and transcripts submitted to Waterloo become the property of the University and will not be returned.

International transcripts may need to be verified by World Education Services Canada as part of the admission process. We'll provide details once you apply.

All transcripts/documents will be verified for authenticity. If evidence of misrepresentation or fraudulent or falsified documentation is found, the penalty is severe. The University of Waterloo reserves the right to revoke any offer of admission, residence, and/or financial support.

We may disclose evidence of any misrepresentation, fraudulent or falsified documentation to all Canadian universities, to Citizenship and Immigration Canada, and to law enforcement personnel when appropriate.