Future Ready Summer Experience Program

Explore the University of Waterloo and gain important skills pre-university through the Future Ready summer experience!

The Future Ready program is designed for students aged 15 to 17 who are interested in developing the 21st century skills that will help them to address some of the world's most challenging problems. Students will be inspired as they experience lectures from a variety of disciplines and explore the University of Waterloo's renowned innovative culture.

This three-week summer program offers students the opportunity to engage in critical thinking, creative problem solving, and collaborative communication as they apply design thinking to ideate solutions to a specific global challenge. Students will benefit from core program components focusing on communication, innovation, culture, emphasized by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

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Live on-campus and experience university life
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Explore the University of Waterloo's renowned innovation culture
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Learn through a dynamic interdisciplinary approach
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Experience Canadian culture through visits to famous sites and attractions

WHAT WILL YOU LEARN?

The Future Ready program has four key components:

Investigating Innovation Exploring Culture

These interactive sessions expose students to design thinking and innovative ways of tackling complex challenges. Through analyzing real-world problems and issues related to Sustainable Developmental Goals (SDGs), students will have opportunities to observe and discuss problem-solving skills applied to real-world scenarios.  Students will also see first-hand the innovative atmosphere of the Waterloo community through guest lectures from Waterloo professors.

The purpose of these sessions is to explore the connection between cultural diversity and sustainable development by examining the SDGs and the role of cross-cultural communication in achieving common goals. Through exploring various situational contexts related to diversity, globalization, and intercultural communication, students will develop culture-specific insights fostering an empathic, open approach to other cultures.
Cultivating Communication Navigating Projects: From concept to completion

In this program component, students will develop essential communication skills crucial for future academic success. Focusing on three key areas — group work, presentations, and discussions — students will learn and apply strategies to express themselves clearly, collaborate effectively, and engage confidently in various academic situations. Through interactive exercises and practical applications,  students will enhance their teamwork and leadership skills as they work together to prepare and deliver compelling presentations and participate actively in class discussions and debates. These skills will not only improve their academic performance but also prepare them for future challenges in higher education.

These sessions support research-informed approaches to problem-solving through active critical engagement with an issue of global importance.  Students will learn to conduct academic research and work collaboratively to innovate a potential solution or mitigation strategy to a specific issue. Their work will culminate in a capstone project and presentation that applies concepts and learnings from each of the program components. 

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF FUTURE READY?

By participating in Future Ready, students will have the unique opportunity to experience university life before university. Exploring the University of Waterloo's renowned innovation ecosystem, students will be exposed to...

  • different ways of understanding and thinking about global issues
  • an interndisciplinary approach to promote problem solving and idea generation
  • diverse learning environments that foster academic and career-ready skills to set them apart academically and professionally
  • dynamic student experience packed with on-campus activities and off-campus excursions* around southern Ontario

*Students will have supervision during all planned activities and trips

Program Details

Dates International Student Fees Domestic Student Fees
June 23 - July 11 $5200 CAD $4200 CAD

Application deadline:

May 15, 2025

NOTE: includes classes, accommodation, meals, on-campus activities and off-campus excursions, supervision in residence and during activities/trips, airport transfers through Airways Transit*, health insurance.

*arrival/departure transportation between Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) or the Region of Waterloo International Airport (YKF) and Renison University College is included in the program fees for international students if students are arriving/departing on the program arrival/departure dates and if a minimum of 5 students are travelling together.

NOTE: includes classes, accommodation, meals, on-campus activities and off-campus excursions, supervision, applicable taxes as required.

NOTE: domestic students must reside in Canada and will be required to submit proof of Canadian Citizenship or Permanent Residency.

Ready to Apply?

Applications are now OPEN for the summer 2025 Future Ready program. Applications are due by May 15, 2025. Please view the steps for applying by clicking on the "How to Apply" section below.

How to Apply

  1. Complete and submit the online application form. As part of the application, you will be required to input the student's information, their parent/guardian’s information, upload the completed Code of Conduct and Guardian Consent Form, and send in a 2 to 3 minute video from the student introducing themselves and sharing why they would like to participate in the program. The video can be submitted by email, file transfer (such as WeTransfer) or shareable Google Drive link to renison.sace@uwaterloo.ca   

  1. Following submission of the application form, an email acknowledgement of submission will be sent. 

  1. Our team will review your application details, including your video, and make a formal admissions decision. 

  1. You will be notified via e-mail (to the student's email address) of the admissions decision for your application. 

  1. If accepted, you will be instructed to pay your registration fees ($375 non-refundable administrative fee and a $625 non-refundable tuition deposit*); you will also be given instructions about accessing your Renison Student Portal account.  

  1. Once your registration fees are paid, our team will issue you a Letter of Acceptance accessible through your student portal account. 

  1. Remaining fees will be invoiced and due two weeks before the program start date. 

*Please note that the non-refundable registration fees ($375 administrative fee and $625 tuition deposit) are included in the total fees for the program; see above. 

QUESTIONS?

For further information, please contact renison.sace@uwaterloo.ca.

About Renison University College

Renison University College is one of four affiliated colleges at the University of Waterloo. Located on the Waterloo campus, Renison provides a small community experience within the larger University of Waterloo student population. Since its founding, the college has delivered innovative courses and programs that help students, teachers, and other professionals succeed in academic and professional environments.