PLAR is a process that Waterloo uses to assess the admissibility of mature applicants (age 21 or older) who do not meet our published admission requirements due to an unaccommodated (or suspected) disability, illness, trauma, or other unaccommodated circumstance.
If you believe you have the equivalent skills and knowledge gained through employment, formal and informal education, or through other life experiences, the PLAR process may also be for you. Examples of previous learning include work experience, volunteering, military service, training, previous studies, and hobbies.
Background
If you wish to be considered for admission to Waterloo through the PLAR process, you must demonstrate that you have the skills and knowledge equivalent to students being admitted using our minimum admission criteria. This includes meeting the overall requirements and required courses for your program(s) of interest.
In addition to the academic requirements, you will also need to submit other required documents for your program of interest, this is determined once we receive your application through the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC).
If you meet the eligibility requirements, we'll connect you with PLAR professionals who will perform a PLAR assessment. This will require you to submit materials which demonstrate learning achievements related to personal, educational, or occupational outcomes. It may also require you to participate in challenge exams.
These steps will help ensure that you're well-prepared to succeed in your university studies.
Eligibility
You're eligible if you
- are 21 years of age or older and have significant life or work experience;
- are a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident of Canada;
- have not taken college or university courses during the past five years;
- do not meet the published admission requirements due to an unaccommodated (or suspected) disability, illness, trauma, or other unaccommodated circumstance; and/or
- believe you have the equivalent skills and knowledge gained through employment, formal and informal education, or through other life experiences to meet the overall requirements, including required courses, for the program(s) to which I applied.
NOTE: The PLAR process is not open to students applying to the Doctor of Optometry, Doctor of Pharmacy, or Bachelor of Social Work programs.
How long does a PLAR assessment take?
A PLAR assessment will typically take at least four weeks to complete.
How do I begin the PLAR process?
- Review the admission requirements for the program(s) in which you're interested.
- Apply for admission to Waterloo through the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC).
- Be sure to apply by the application deadline for your program of interest.
- Email us at specialconsideration@uwaterloo.ca to request consideration through the PLAR process. We will work with you directly and provide you with the appropriate next steps.
- If you're applying for PLAR and your academics were impacted by extenuating circumstances, please submit either the Accommodation for an unaccommodated (or suspected) disability, illness or trauma or the Other unaccommodated circumstance form
- Monitor your email for updates and next steps.
Questions?
If you have questions about your eligibility for PLAR, please feel free to email specialconsideration@uwaterloo.ca.