Social Service Worker Pathway - How to Apply

Complete your online application using  the following program code: WRC – Social Development Studies/Social Work – Social Service Worker Pathway

You will receive an acknowledgement e-mail from Undergraduate Admissions within approximately 10 business days of submitting your online application to OUAC, with instructions for logging in to QUEST to complete your Admission Information Form (AIF), and for uploading your transcripts and supporting documents. Your Waterloo ID (identification) number will be assigned and sent to you in this e-mail. You should check your junk mail folder for these e-mails as many e-mail programs put mass mailings in junk mail folders. 

Your referees will receive an email from Waterloo within 2 business days that will direct them to a secure online reference form with a personalized deadline for submission. Your referees will receive a confirmation email after they have submitted the reference form and will be provided with an electronic copy of their submission. NOTE: You can confirm when your references have been received by logging into your Quest account. 

*The due date to submit your application for Fall 2023 entry is February 1, 2023.

Step 2: Upon receipt of your acknowledgement e-mail, your next step is to log in to QUEST to submit your Admission Information Form. 

*The AIF is due February 17, 2023.

*Please note we encourage applicants to submit their AIF before the deadline to provide their referees time to complete the form. 

Applicants are expected to provide THREE referees: ONE Academic and TWO Professional.

The academic reference must be from an instructor (college or university) who has taught you in one or more courses. Professional references can be sought from any of the following: an employment supervisor; a volunteer supervisor; a helping professional (e.g., social worker, religious leader, doctor, psychiatrist or similar community-based professional).

Your referees will receive an email from Waterloo within 2 business days that will direct them to a secure online reference form with a personalized deadline for submission. Your referees will receive a confirmation email after they have submitted the reference form and will be provided with an electronic copy of their submission. NOTE: You can confirm when your references have been received by logging into your Quest account. 

You must submit the online reference form by February 17, 2023.

Please tell us about your interest in social work

Social work practice is guided by six values found in the Guidelines for Ethical Practice and Code of Ethics. We encourage you to review these documents to familiarize yourself with these values prior to answering the questions below.

Central to social work practice is the pursuit of social justice for individuals, families, groups, and communities. Social workers promote social fairness and the equitable distribution of resources, and act to reduce barriers and expand choice for all persons, with special regard for those who are marginalized, disadvantaged, or vulnerable. Social workers oppose prejudice and discrimination against any person or group of persons, on any grounds, and specifically challenge views and actions that stereotype particular persons or groups (CASW, 2015).

1. Thinking about social work’s commitment to the pursuit of social justice, what is one change that you want to see in the world? (500 word max.)
2. How could a degree in social work support your participation in this change? (500 word max.)
3. Tell us how your own strengths, skills, and experiences (e.g., volunteer, work, and lived experience) influence your interest and participation in the profession of social work. (500 word max.)

Your personal statement must be uploaded on Quest and saved as a PDF and be no larger than 3000KB. Your personal statement is due February 17, 2023.

For more information on uploading your document please see this link: https://uwaterloo.ca/quest/help/students/how-do-i/application-documents.

*All supporting documents, including transcripts, the AIF with contact details for three referees, personal statement, and resume are due by February 17, 2023.

*If you requested your transcripts via OUAC, you do not have to upload additional copies. Check Quest to ensure we have received all your supporting documents.