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 will send offers of admission starting in February and ending in May.
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 11:59 p.m. ET on June 2, 2025 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 2; however no Ontario university may require a financial commitment from you before June 2 unless you're an international student on a student visa.
Change your mind?
If you've accepted an offer prior to June 2 — 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 2.
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 2, 2025, to accept an offer of admission and reserve a spot in residence (if applicable).
If you're an international student and receive an offer of admission, you may need to request a Provincial Attestation Letter before applying for your Canadian study permit.
How will you know if you’ve been admitted?
- We'll email you the exciting news and let you know what your next steps are.
- 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.
- Your Ontario Universities’ Application Centre account will list the application status for each program/university you applied to.
Scholarships
Most scholarships are awarded in mid-May once we have received the most recent grades from Ontario high schools.
There are several scholarships which require an application. Deadlines range from January to mid-April and values are between $4,000 and up to $120,000.
Bursaries for Ontario students
If you're an Ontario student and you applied for an entrance bursary, you'll be notified in mid-May whether you've received a bursary and the dollar value.