Once you've applied, you'll need to submit documents using Quest so that we can review your application and make an admission decision.
Required documents
In addition to the three types of required documents listed here, please select your most recent system of study from the options below to see which documents you may need to upload to Quest.
- English language test results (if applicable) are due by February 16, 2024. Please arrange for them to be sent directly from the testing centre.
- The Admission Information Form (AIF) is due by February 16, 2024 (except for early consideration for Engineering, Optometry, and Pharmacy).
- We require English-language copies of your academic documentation, including predicted and/or mid-term grades as soon as they are available and no later than our document deadline. You can continue to upload new grades as they become available.
Additional required documents
Notes for all applicants
- Recommendation letters, letters of achievement, and non-academic certificates will not be reviewed as part of the admission process, and we discourage you from submitting these types of documents.
- You can mention any relevant achievements or awards you’ve received on your AIF.
- Please do not upload the same documents multiple times as this will delay the review of your application.
- Offers of admission are made between January and May as we receive updated grades from high schools.
Uploading unofficial transcripts
Once you've received your Waterloo ID number you can upload your transcripts and other academic documentation using Quest, our online student information system.
Transcripts and other academic documents uploaded to Quest will be considered unofficial. Unofficial documents can be used for admission consideration. Transcripts will not be accepted via email.
You can upload documents once a day between 1 a.m. and 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.
Your transcripts and academic documents must be saved as a PDF. You can merge multiple documents into one file if the maximum file size does not exceed 3MB. The transcript must be legible when the document is viewed at 100% sizing.
Keep the file name short and use letters and numbers only. Do not use brackets (), question marks (?), quotation marks ("), or any special characters (&, $, %) in the file name.
Do you need to upload additional transcripts or did you incorrectly upload a document?
Once a transcript had been added successfully to your file, the "date last received" field will be updated. After 24 hours, the upload link will reappear allowing you to submit new grade information, e.g., transcripts, predicted grades, and examination results.
Uploading a document again will not replace what has already been submitted. After uploading, the upload button will appear again to enable you to upload new grade information.
If you receive a conditional Offer of Admission, you will be required to submit the official final documents listed on your Offer of Admission.
How to submit official documents
An official transcript is a complete academic record issued by your educational institution/Ministry of Education.
- Official examination results and test scores must be sent directly to Waterloo by the appropriate external examination agency.
- Emailed, faxed, and/or uploaded academic documents will not be accepted as official.
Electronic documents
Documents received electronically through an external transcript service (such as MyCredsTM, Parchment) or an external examination agency will be considered official.
*NEW* Waterloo is a registered organization with MyCredsTM. When sending transcripts through the MyCredsTM portal, please select "send my documents to a registered organization." Do not select "generate a link to my documents".
Paper documents
A paper document is considered official only if it is received by the University of Waterloo in a sealed envelope from the issuing institution or external examinations agency.
If you're sending documents by courier, the documents must be in a sealed envelope within the courier package. All transcript information is confidential, and envelopes must not be opened by the applicant. Photocopied, scanned, and faxed transcripts are not official.
Translated/notarized documents
Notarized documents must be sent directly to Waterloo from a notary public in a signed and sealed envelope in order to be considered official. Any document that is not in English must be accompanied by an English translation and an affidavit stating the contents of the translation are a true representation of the contents of the original document.
The affidavit must come from the person who translated the document(s). University of Waterloo officials can accept only translations produced by a certified translator whose certification can be confirmed by a stamp or a membership number of a professional translation association. Translations by family members or friends are not acceptable.
Transcripts issued by institutions within Canada do not require a translation.
When will your conditions be completed on Quest?
Conditions on Quest are changed to “Completed” status after we receive and review applicable documents. Official, final documents must be received by the deadline on your offer letter.
Once received, please allow up to three weeks for your documents to be reviewed. Please continue to regularly check your Quest account for updates to the status of your conditions.
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.
University of Waterloo mailing address
Office of the Registrar
University of Waterloo
200 University Ave W
Waterloo ON N2L 3G1 CANADA
