Conditional Admission to Pharmacy (CAP) supplementary information

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Quest is Waterloo’s student information system and the portal through which you will

  • view your application status,
  • submit your Admission Information Form,
  • upload and check the receipt of your transcripts and other documents,
  • check the receipt of your reference letters, and
  • update your contact information.

If you haven't already, you'll need to create your Waterloo username and password before logging into Quest.

IMPORTANT: Please ensure your email address is up-to-date on Quest. The majority of our communications to you will be via email.

If you require assistance with your Quest account, or if you receive an error message when using your username and/or password, please email askthecentre@uwaterloo.ca or call 519-888-4567, ext. 42268.

Important deadlines

Please visit the Conditional Admission to Pharmacy (CAP) web page to review important deadlines in the application process.

1. CAP Admission Information Form (AIF)

The CAP AIF must be submitted in order for your two references to receive their reference request email. Please submit your AIF well in advance of the Admission Information Form deadline to give your references ample time tot meet the reference deadline.

Log in to your Quest account. Select the Admission Information Form tile.

Admission information form tile

Once you have read the instructions on the Welcome page, complete all of the questions on the following two tabs.

  • About You – Part A (common to both your Science and CAP applications)
  • CAP

The Save - Page in Progress button is available if you wish to go back to your answers and modify them. NOTE: The Admissions Committee cannot see your answers until you have pressed the Submit - Page Finished button:

Screencapture of save and submit buttons on the AIF, with 'Submit - Page Finished' circled.

NOTE: You must press Submit for both pages: About You – Part A and CAP. If either of the two pages remains in Saved status, the Admissions Committee cannot review your AIF.

IMPORTANT: Once you press the Submit – Page Finished button, you cannot make amendments to your AIF. Please ensure that all of the information on your AIF is correct before submitting the form.

If you made a significant error in your AIF (for example, you entered the wrong email address for one of your references), you should contact sci.admission@uwaterloo.ca. Information such as corrections to spelling/grammar and dates will NOT be updated — it is your responsibility to ensure the accuracy of all information on your AIF before submitting the form.

For assistance with Quest, the CAP AIF and reference letters, you may view our Admission Information Form website and our list of frequently asked questions.

2. Reference letters

Your references must be submitted through our secure email system. Letters that are mailed or emailed to the Registrar’s Office are NOT acceptable.

The CAP tab on your AIF will require that you provide the names and contact information for TWO references.

  1. Academic reference – from a teacher, guidance counsellor, school principal or professor
  2. Employer reference – from a past or current employer or volunteer agency

References from a relative are NOT acceptable.

When you first access your CAP tab, you will see only one row for one reference. Click the Plus (+) button to add a second row, and fill in the second reference’s contact information.

When you press the Submit – Page Finished button on the CAP page, both of your references will receive an email from Waterloo (normally within 3 business days) that will direct them to a secure online form that must be submitted by them by the reference deadline. Your reference will receive a confirmation email after they have submitted the form (normally within 3 business days).

It is your responsibility to ensure the correct spelling of both of your references’ email addresses on the AIF, otherwise technical delays may negatively affect your application.

If you provided the correct email address on your AIF and your referee does not receive their email from Waterloo within 3 business days of your AIF submission, please contact the Registrar’s Office at sci.admission@uwaterloo.ca, and include your full name, Waterloo ID, the name of your reference and their correct email address. A duplicate email will be sent out.

When a reference letter has been received, the Documents section of your Quest account will be updated to show its receipt (normally within 3 business days).

Screencapture of documents list, with arrows pointing out the reference row and corresponding date last received.

3. Transcripts

Once you've applied, you may need to submit documents so that we can review your application and make an admission decision. Learn about required documents and how to send them.

4. English language requirements

English is the language of instruction at the University of Waterloo. Success in our programs requires a high level of English language proficiency.

You may need to submit an English language test score if your first language is not English. Please visit our English language requirements page for details.

5. Offers of admission

CAP admission decisions will be emailed to all candidates by mid-May. CAP Offers of Admission must be accepted by midnight ET on June 2, 2025.

If you're admitted to CAP status, you'll receive two individual Offers of Admission — one to the Honours Science, Biology, or Biomedical Sciences program and one for Conditional Admission to Pharmacy status. You must accept both offers of admission.

Contact information

The School of Pharmacy’s CAP website will provide you with further information about CAP status at Waterloo, eligibility criteria, important dates, virtual information sessions, and brochures.

If you have any questions along the way, please feel free to reach out to us.

Please include your full name and Waterloo ID number (e.g., 210xxxxx) in all communications.

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