IDEAL Scholar

IDEAL Scholar Logo

The Faculty of Science is proud to introduce the IDEAL Scholar program!

We know that our students are doing amazing things in and outside of the classroom and we want to reward your hard work. To be a part of the IDEAL Scholar program, undergraduate students participate in activities throughout their time in Science at Waterloo that support Innovation, Discovery, Engagement, Application, and Leadership. Students who complete activities in 2-5 of these themes can apply to receive an IDEAL Scholar medallion at graduation to celebrate their achievement.  

Medallion Categories

Once you have completed activities in two of the IDEAL themes, you will receive a bronze medallion. Every additional theme achieved heightens the medallion level all the way up to a special cobalt-coloured medallion: 

  • Complete 2/5 themes, they will receive a bronze medallion 

  • Complete 3/5 themes, they will receive a silver medallion  

  • Complete 4/5 themes, they will receive a gold medallion 

  • Complete 5/5 themes, they will receive a cobalt medallion  

Each activity you take part in can only count toward one area of the IDEAL Scholar program.

What are the categories in the IDEAL Scholar program?

IDEAL Scholars are graduating undergraduate students who participated in activities that go above and beyond their course load during their undergraduate degrees. 

The letters in IDEAL Scholar stand for Innovation, Discovery, Engagement, Application, and Leadership. To obtain an IDEAL Scholar Medallion, students must complete activities in at least two of the IDEAL areas. 

Innovation

Innovation

This theme is granted to students who apply scientific principles to create transformative solutions to global challenges, reflecting Waterloo's commitment to fostering a better future through scientific innovation. Examples of activity that fit this theme include Velocity Science, a design team like iGEM, and entrepreneurship.

Discovery

Discovery

Asking questions about life’s big questions, working on activities that promote undergraduate research and looking at the world with a critical eye are all ways you can achieve the Discovery theme. Your honours thesis project and any paid or volunteer research positions are activities that qualify for the Discovery theme. 

Engagement

Application

Application

To achieve the Application theme, you will be engaging in activities that promote active learning and mirror learning in the workplace. Being in co-op, the EDGE certificate program, working as a teaching assistant, service learning, or internships are all ways to complete the Application theme. 

Leadership

Leadership

Leadership takes many forms within our student body and there are many ways to get involved in this capacity. Roles that involve providing direction, enhancing communication skills, and decision-making will help you achieve the Leadership theme. You could be a SciSoc executive, a varsity athlete, participate in student government, be a mentor, or be an endowment fund director. 

How do I participate in the program?

If you believe you have achieved at least two of the IDEAL categories, congratulations, you are an IDEAL Scholar! To complete your application, please ensure you have applied to graduate and then fill out the form below by August 31, 2024 (for October convocation). You will be asked for specifics about your activities and a verifier's contact information for us to verify your completion, so please have those ready. Your application will be reviewed and you will receive a response in mid-September.

Please note that you are not guaranteed to receive recognition for every theme you fill out. Activities must be verified and associated with the University of Waterloo before the award committee makes their decisions about the relevance of the activity to the theme. A single activity may not be considered for multiple themes.

If you have any questions about the program, please email science.engagement@uwaterloo.ca. 

IDEAL Scholar Application

You must login to view this form.