Being academically prepared for university
When preparing for university, you're likely focused on having the best possible chances of being admitted to your preferred programs. For some students, this may include repeating a course or taking courses outside your regular day school.
While admission to your program of choice is an important first step, your academic and personal success over the next four or five years is even more important.
By taking all required Grade 12 courses during your regular school year and doing well on your first attempt, you're proving to yourself and to us that you're ready for university-level academics. Students who need to repeat a course in university programs that are more structured may delay their progression through the program.
So to ensure you're well-prepared for university-level studies, we recommend taking all required Grade 12 courses during the regular school year and doing well on your first attempt.
Repeated courses
All programs
If you repeat a course and apply to any program at Waterloo for September 2027 entry, you will not be penalized in the application process. If you repeat a course, we'll use your highest grade in that course when calculating your admission average.
Courses other than day school
All programs
For all Waterloo programs, we accept courses from schools that are accredited by your provincial or territorial ministry of education. Here are types of courses we accept if they're accredited by your province or territory.
- Day school (high school)
- Summer school
- Night school
- Online
- Private school
If you're applying for admission to any Waterloo program to start in September 2027, we will not penalize you if you choose to take courses outside of your regular day school.