Join us on Saturday, March 18 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to learn about our programs, residences, clubs and services, and meet current students and professors.
If you haven't already, please register so that we can plan for your arrival. We'll also send you tips for getting the most out of your visit.
Virtual sessions – March 15
Virtual sessions schedule
March Break Open House virtual sessions will be on Wednesday, March 15, 2023. If you indicated an interest in the virtual sessions when you registered for March Break Open House, you'll receive an email with all session links on Monday, March 13 (we'll also send you a reminder email the morning of March 15!).
| Time | Session topic | Session description |
|---|---|---|
| 9 – 10 a.m. ET | Faculty of Science information session |
Learn everything about the Faculty of Science in this 30-minute presentation — from programs, career opportunities, co-op, student life, and more! A 30-minute Q&A session will follow the presentation with students from different Science programs. |
| 10 – 11 a.m. ET | Faculty of Environment overview & applicant next steps | Join this session for an overview of the Faculty of Environment. Topics will include our programs, experiential learning opportunities, student life, and more. The 30-minute live presentation will be followed by a 30-minute Q&A session with students from our different programs. |
| 11 – 11:20 a.m. ET | Faculty of Arts Honours Arts and Honours Arts and Business overview |
Learn how majors, courses, and co-op work in Honours Arts and Honours Arts and Business. |
| 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET | Faculty of Engineering information session |
Join this session for an overview of the Faculty of Engineering! Topics include our programs, co-op, the application process, student life, and more. The 30-minute live presentation will be followed by a 30-minute Q&A sessionwith current Engineering students. |
| 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET | Faculty of Health information session | Join this session for an overview of the six undergraduate majors in the Faculty of Health. Topics will include admissions, co-op opportunities, career outcomes, and more. The 30-minute live presentation will be followed by a 30-minute Q&A session with students from our different programs. |
| 1 – 2 p.m. ET | School of Accounting and Finance | Learn how to lead the change and shape the future in this 30-minute presentation on our Accounting and Financial Management (AFM) and Sustainability and Financial Management (SFM) programs. Following the presentation, our current students will host a 30-minute Q&A session. |
| 1 – 2 p.m. ET | Aviation information session | Learn everything about our exciting Geography and Aviation and Science and Aviation programs. |
| 7 – 8 p.m. ET | Faculty of Mathematics – Mathematics and Computer Science student panel |
Hear from current Faculty of Mathematics students and get a chance to ask your questions, from student life and culture to programs and co-op, and more in this 1-hour Q&A. |
Directions and parking
Free parking will be available in most parking lots. Watch for signs as you approach the main campus in Waterloo. Printed open house guides will be available when you arrive on campus. Most activities take place at our main campus in Waterloo, except for the following.
School of Architecture
The School of Architecture activities will take place at our Cambridge campus. In addition to registering for March Break Open House, if you are planning on visiting our campus in Cambridge, please register for our information sessions.
Global Business and Digital Arts (GBDA)
GBDA activities will take place at our campus in Stratford.
School of Pharmacy
School of Pharmacy activities will take place on main campus and at the School of Pharmacy in downtown Kitchener. Pharmacy tours will be held at the School of Pharmacy. If you are interested in visiting the School of Pharmacy, in addition to registering for March Break Open House, please register for our presentation and tours.
Waterloo campus-wide activities – March 18
Student services fair — Student Life Centre (SLC)
Visit the student services fair in the SLC for general information and to explore the many student services and supports on our campus.
- AccessAbility Services (academic accommodations for students with disabilities)
- Admissions
- Alumni
- Athletics and Recreation
- Campus Wellness
- Conrad Grebel University College
- Co-operative and Experiential Education
- Food Services
- Indigenous student resources
- Residence Guarantee
- Student Awards and Financial Aid
- Student Success Office
- Velocity (for student entrepreneurs)
Athletics and recreation facilities tour
Head out on a tour leaving from the Warriors booth in the SLC to learn more about both facilities and all the great programming opportunities.
- 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. — Athletics and Recreation tour, SLC (tours start every hour, 45 mins.)
Learn more at WWW.GOWARRIORSGO.CA.
Campus tours
Campus walking tours
Take a 45-minute general campus tour and learn about campus life from your student guide. Tours leave throughout the day from the campus tour booth in the Student Life Centre (SLC). Please note, campus tours do not include residence. To see residence options, join a campus housing tour or visit the University Colleges.
Campus bus tours
Hop on (and off!) our shuttle bus for a guided tour of campus. Student guides will be on board to highlight key points of interest and answer your questions. Stay on for the whole tour (approximately 20 minutes), or hop on and off at our various shuttle stops. Tours start from the Quantum-Nano Centre (QNC) every 10 minutes.
Waterloo Campus Housing tours
Campus Housing
Tour our on-campus residences and find out which style suits you best — a traditional dorm experience or a suite-style apartment. For more information go to the residence booth in the SLC.
For tours of Campus Housing, go directly to the residences that are open for tours (see campus map), or look for the black “Campus Housing” tent beside Ring Road on the path leading to Village 1.
Traditional-style dorms
- Ron Eydt Village (REV)
- Village 1 (V1)
- Claudette Millar Hall (CMH)
Suite-style apartments
- Columbia Lake Village (CLV)
- Mackenzie King Village (MKV)
- UW Place (UWP)
University College residences and academic tours
If you’re looking for a smaller, close-knit residence regardless of which program you're in, then one of Waterloo’s four University Colleges may be right for you. Each one is a smaller community with its own character and distinctive ways to get involved. Some offer academic programs and all offer residence, regardless of your program. For tours of the University Colleges, including their residences, visit them directly or find the yellow tents on Ring Road.
Conrad Grebel University College (CGR)
- Music, Peace and Conflict Studies and PeaceTech Living Learning Communities
- 50/50 split of first-year and upper-year students in residence
- Famous chocolate chip cookies
St. Jerome's University (STJ)
- Beyond Borders Service Learning program
- Dedicated Arts academic student advisors
- Co-registration available for Honours Arts and Honours Arts and Business students
Renison University College (REN)
- Home to Waterloo's Social Development Studies program and School of Social Work
- Lowest don-to-resident ratio on campus with three Living Learning Communities, including Warriors Academic Leadership Community and Bridge to Academic Success in English (BASE)
- Co-registration available with dedicated academic advisors for Honours Arts and Honours Arts and Business students
United College (UTD)
- Waterloo Indigenous Student Centre and GreenHouse social impact incubator
- Several residence Living Learning Communities, including Women in Engineering and Faculty of Environment
- Academic programming in Indigenous Studies, International Development, Canadian Studies, Human Rights, and Religious Studies
Waterloo Indigenous Student Centre (WISC) open house and soup lunch
The Waterloo Indigenous Student Centre (WISC) is committed to providing support to Indigenous students at Waterloo. Stop by the WISC open house to see the space and learn more. Enjoy a free soup lunch between 12 to 1 p.m., while the soup lasts. All are welcome.
- 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. — Waterloo Indigenous Student Centre (WISC) open house, UTD
- 12 – 1 p.m. — WISC soup lunch (open to all free of charge, while soup lasts), UTD
Co-operative and Experiential Education booth
- 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. — Co-operative and Experiential Education booth, TC atrium
GreenHouse Idea Jam
- 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. — GreenHouse Idea Jam Session, UTD 164 (30 mins.)
- 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. — GreenHouse Idea Jam Session, UTD 164 (30 mins.)
W Store
Stop by the general information booth in the SLC to pick up a coupon for 20% off one regular-priced item when you spend $75 or more (before tax) on regularly-priced Waterloo-branded merchandise. Then head to the W Store located in South Campus Hall (SCH) to start shopping!
- Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
In-person academic sessions and tours
Not sure which faculty offers your program? View our list of programs by faculty.
Faculty of Arts
| 10:30 a.m. | 11:30 a.m. | 12:30 p.m. | 1:30 p.m. |
|---|---|---|---|
|
GBDA sample lecture |
Arts First sample lecture AL 113 (30 mins.) |
Economics sample lecture AL 113 (30 mins.) |
St. Jerome's University — The SJU Arts Advantage SJ2 1002 (30 mins.) |
| Psychology sample lecture AL 116 (30 mins.) |
Legal Studies/Sociology sample lecture AL 116 (30 mins.) |
English sample lecture AL 116 (30 mins.) |
|
| Indigenous Studies sample lecture AL 105 (30 mins.) |
Communication Studies sample lecture AL 124 (30 mins.) |
Languages and Cultures sample lecture AL 105 (30 mins.) |
|
| Renison — Social Development Studies meet and greet REN 2106 (30 mins.) |
Political Science sample lecture AL 124 (30 mins.) |
||
| Renison — The Renison Arts Experience student, staff, and faculty panel REN 2106 (30 mins.) |
- 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. — Arts tours, Hagey Hall Hub (45 mins.)
- 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. — Information fair, Hagey Hall Hub
School of Accounting and Finance
Please see the Faculty of Mathematics schedule for information on the Computing and Financial Management program.
| 10:30 a.m. | 11:30 a.m. | 12:30 p.m. | 1:30 p.m. | 2:30 p.m. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Financial Management and Sustainability and Financial Management HH 1101 (45 mins.) |
Accounting and Financial Management and Sustainability and Financial Management HH 1101 (45 mins.) |
-
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. — School of Accounting and Finance tours, HH atrium (30 mins.)
-
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. — Information fair, HH atrium
Global Business and Digital Arts (Stratford)
Visit our satellite campus, Stratford School (125 St. Patrick St., Stratford).
- 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. — Global Business and Digital Arts tours
- 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. — Student showcase: Creators Collective Gallery
Faculty of Engineering
Due to incredibly high demand, we ask that in addition to registering for the open house, you also register for an Engineering tour and information fair time to help us prevent over-crowding and to ensure a positive experience for you and your guests.
| 10:30 a.m. | 11:30 a.m. | 12:30 p.m. | 1:30 p.m. | 2:30 p.m. | 3:30 p.m. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student life and diversity in Engineering E5 3101/3102 (30 mins.) |
Biomedical and Systems Design Engineering E5 3101/3102 (30 mins.) |
Women in Engineering real talk panel and Q&A E5 3101/3102 (30 mins.) |
Biomedical and Systems Design Engineering E5 3101/3102 (30 mins.) |
Student life and diversity in Engineering E5 3101/3102 (30 mins.) |
Biomedical and Systems Design Engineering E5 3101/3102 (30 mins.) |
| Architectural and Civil Engineering E7 4417 (30 mins.) |
Chemical Engineering E7 3343 (30 mins.) |
Nanotechnology Engineering E7 4417 (30 mins.) |
Architectural and Civil Engineering E7 4417 (30 mins.) |
Nanotechnology Engineering E7 4417 (30 mins.) |
Architectural and Civil Engineering E7 4417 (30 mins.) |
| Chemical Engineering sample lecture DWE 2529 (30 mins.) |
Nanotechnology Engineering sample lecture QNC 2502 (30 mins.) |
Software Engineering E7 5353 (30 mins.) |
Chemical Engineering E7 3343 (30 mins.) |
Software Engineering E7 5353 (30 mins.) |
Software Engineering E7 5353 (30 mins.) |
| Nanotechnology Engineering sample lecture QNC 2502 (30 mins.) |
Management Engineering E7 2317 (30 mins.) |
Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering E7 3353 (30 mins.) |
Management Engineering E7 2317 (30 mins.) |
Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering E7 3353 (30 mins.) |
Electrical and Computer Engineering E7 5343 (30 mins.) |
| Software Engineering E7 5353 (30 mins.) |
Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering E7 3353 (30 mins.) |
Admissions update for current applicants (fall 2023 arrival) E7 4043/4053 (15 mins.) |
Electrical and Computer Engineering E7 5343 (30 mins.) |
Environmental and Geological Engineering E7 5343 (30 mins.) |
Admissions update for current applicants (fall 2023 arrival) E7 4043/4053 (15 mins.) |
| Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering E7 3353 (30 mins.) | Environmental and Geological Engineering E7 5343 (30 mins.) |
Admissions information for future applicants (pre-Grade 12) E7 4043/4053 (30 mins.) |
Admissions update for current applicants (fall 2023 arrival) E7 4043/4053 (15 mins.) |
||
| Electrical and Computer Engineering E7 5343 (30 mins.) |
Admissions update for current applicants (fall 2023 arrival) E7 4043/4053 (15 mins.) |
||||
| Admissions information for future applicants (pre-Grade 12) E7 4043/4053 (30 mins.) |
- 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. — Faculty of Engineering tours, E7 1st floor (60 mins.)
- 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. — Information fair, E7 2nd floor
- 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. — Student design team fair, E5 Sedra Student Design Centre
- 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. — Women in Engineering Living Learning Community residence tours, United College (UTD) (30 mins.)
School of Architecture (Cambridge)
All sessions and tours at School of Architecture Campus (ARC), located at 7 Melville Street South, Cambridge. In addition to registering for March Break Open House, if you are planning on visiting our campus in Cambridge, please pre-register for our information sessions.
| 10:30 a.m. | 11:30 a.m. | 12:30 p.m. | 1:30 p.m. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Architecture program overview ARC 1001 (30 mins.) |
Architecture program overview ARC 1001 (30 mins.) |
Architecture program overview ARC 1001 (30 mins.) |
Architecture program overview ARC 1001 (30 mins.) |
| Architecture admissions next steps for current applicants (fall 2023 arrival) ARC 1101 (30 mins.) |
Architecture admissions next steps for current applicants (fall 2023 arrival) ARC 1101 (30 mins.) |
Architecture admissions next steps for current applicants (fall 2023 arrival) ARC 1101 (30 mins.) |
-
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. — Self-guided tours
-
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. — Portfolio displays, ARC 3003
Faculty of Environment
| 10:30 a.m. | 11:30 a.m. | 12:30 p.m. | 1:30 p.m. | 2:30 p.m. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Climate and Environmental Change sample lecture EV3 1408 (30 mins.) |
Environment, Resources and Sustainability sample lecture EV3 3412 (30 mins.) |
Environment Co-op and Careers EV3 1408 (30 mins.) |
International opportunities in Environment EV3 1408 (30 mins.) |
Geography and Environmental Management sample lecture EV3 1408 (30 mins.) |
| Environment and Business sample lecture EV3 3412 (30 mins.) |
Sustainability and Financial Management sample lecture EV2 1408 (30 mins.) |
Geomatics sample lecture EV2 2002 (30 mins.) |
||
| Knowledge Integration sample lecture EV3 2069 (30 mins.) |
Planning sample lecture EV2 2002 (30 mins.) |
International Development sample lecture EV3 3412 (30 mins.) |
-
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. — Environment tours, EV3 atrium (30 mins.)
-
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. — Information fair, EV3 atrium
-
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. — Environment Living Learning Community, United College (UTD)
-
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. — Knowledge Integration Exhibit (KIX), STJ, Siegfried Hall Residence Wellness Centre Gym
Faculty of Health
| 10:30 a.m. | 11:30 a.m. | 12:30 p.m. | 1:30 p.m. | 2:30 p.m. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Health Sciences info session and student panel EXP 1689 (45 mins.) |
Kinesiology info session and student panel EXP 1689 (45 mins.) |
Recreation majors info session and student panel EXP 1689 (45 mins.) |
Health sample lecture EXP 1689 (30 mins.) |
Health Sciences info session and student panel EXP 1689 (45 mins.) |
| Public Health info session and student panel EXP 1621 (45 mins.) |
-
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. — Health tours, EXP atrium (30 mins.)
-
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. — Information fair, EXP atrium
-
10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. — Kinesiology tours, EXP atrium (35 mins.)
Faculty of Mathematics
| 10:30 a.m. | 11:30 a.m. | 12:30 p.m. | 1:30 p.m. | 2:30 p.m. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission update for current applicants (fall 2023 arrival) M3 1006 (45 mins.) |
Admission update for current applicants (fall 2023 arrival) M3 1006 (45 mins.) |
Preparing for the Euclid Contest — future & current applicants only M3 1006 (45 mins.) |
||
| Mathematics programs overview for future applicants (pre-Grade 12) MC 4021 (45 mins.) |
Mathematics Business & Accounting programs session MC 4021 (45 mins.) |
Mathematics programs overview for future applicants (pre-Grade 12) MC 4021 (45 mins.) |
Sample Mathematics Business session: Game Theory MC 4021 (45 mins.) |
|
| Combinatorics & Optimization session MC 4059 (45 mins.) |
Pure Mathematics session MC 4059 (45 mins.) |
Statistics and Actuarial Science session MC 4059 (45 mins.) |
Applied Mathematics/ Mathematical Physics session MC 4059 (45 mins.) |
- 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. — Mathematics tours, M3 atrium (30 mins.)
- 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. — Information fair, M3 atrium
School of Computer Science
| 10:30 a.m. | 11:30 a.m. | 12:30 p.m. | 1:30 p.m. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science: from admissions to graduation DC 1351 (45 mins.) |
Computer Science: from admissions to graduation DC 1351 (45 mins.) |
Computer Science: from admissions to graduation DC 1351 (45 mins.) |
|
| Computing & Financial Management overview for future applicants DC 1302 (45 mins.) |
Computing & Financial Management overview for future applicants DC 1302 (45 mins.) |
Breaking Barriers: Women in Computer Science DC 1302 (45 mins.) |
- 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. — Computer Science information fair, DC Great Hall
Faculty of Science
| 10:30 a.m. | 11:30 a.m. | 12:30 p.m. | 1:30 p.m. | 1:45 p.m. | 2:00 p.m. | 2:30 p.m. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Programs in Science STC 1012 (60 mins.) |
Why Science at Waterloo |
Programs in Science |
Why Science at Waterloo? STC 1012 (60 mins.) |
Earth and Environmental Sciences sample lecture STC 0060 (60 mins.) |
||||
| Chemistry sample lecture STC 0060 (60 mins.) |
Physics sample lecture STC 0040 (60 mins.) |
Science and Business sample lecture STC 0060 (60 mins.) |
Biology sample lecture STC 0040 (60 mins.) |
|||||
| Pharmacy information session STC 0060 (60 mins.) |
Optometry information session STC 0050 (60 mins.) |
School of Optometry and Vision Science tours — OPT Eye Chart Entrance (1:45 – 2:45 p.m., 60 mins.) | ||||||
-
10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. — Science tours, STC atrium (30 mins.)
-
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. — Information fair, STC atrium
School of Pharmacy (Kitchener)
Visit our satellite campus in downtown Kitchener (10 Victoria St. S., Kitchener). If you are interested in visiting the School of Pharmacy, in addition to registering for March Break Open House, please also register for School of Pharmacy presentation and tours.
- 1:45 p.m. – 4 p.m. — School of Pharmacy tours, PHR main lobby (30 mins., tours start every 15 mins.)
- 1:45 – 2:45 p.m. — Pharmacy information session, PHR 1004 (60 mins.)
Helpful resources
Places to eat on main campus
ATMs are available in the Student Life Centre (SLC), the Davis Centre (DC), and South Campus Hall (SCH).
| Location | Hours | Payment methods |
|---|---|---|
| B1 – Science Coffee & Donut Shop (C&D) | 12 p.m – 4 p.m. | Credit, debit, and cash |
| CGR – Conrad Grebel* | 12 p.m – 1:30 p.m. | Credit or debit only (no cash) |
| CMH – The Market | 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 p.m. | Credit or debit only (no cash) |
| DC – Tim Hortons | 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. | Credit or debit only (no cash) |
| DC Bytes | 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Credit or debit only (no cash) |
|
E7 – Coffee & Donut Shop (C&D) |
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Credit, debit, and cash |
| EXP – Starbucks | 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. | Credit or debit only (no cash) |
| HH - H³ Café | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Credit or debit only (no cash) |
| MC – Coffee & Donut Shop (C&D) | 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Credit, debit, and cash |
| REN – Renison* | 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. 4:45 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. |
Credit, debit, and cash |
| REV – REVelation | 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. | Credit or debit only (no cash) |
| SCH – Tim Hortons |
10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. |
Credit or debit only (no cash) |
| SLC – Brubakers | 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. | Credit or debit only (no cash) |
| SLC – Flock Stop | Open 24 hours | Credit or debit only (no cash) |
| SLC – Jugo Juice | 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Credit or debit only (no cash) |
| SLC – Tim Hortons | 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. | Credit, debit, and cash |
| STC – Starbucks | 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. | Credit or debit only (no cash) |
| STJ – St. Jerome’s* | 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Credit, debit, and cash |
| UTD - Watson’s Eatery* | 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. | Credit, debit, and cash |
| V1 – Mudie’s | 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 p.m. | Credit or debit only (no cash) |
*All-you-can-eat meal
Campus map
Check out our campus map to see where our buildings are located to begin planning your day.
Registration
If you haven't already, please register for the open house so that we can plan for your arrival and send you tips for getting the most out of your visit.
