University of Waterloo receives over 50,000 undergraduate applications each year, with acceptance rates ranging from 4% for Computer Science to 53% overall. Getting in means more than strong grades—you'll navigate specific course requirements, adjustment factors that account for your high school's grading standards, and supplementary forms that can tip borderline applications in your favor.
This guide walks you through Waterloo's application process step by step, from choosing the right Grade 12 courses to writing a standout Admission Information Form, so you know exactly what to expect and how to strengthen your application.
Overview of Waterloo admission requirements
Getting into Waterloo means applying through the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC), meeting specific Grade 12 course requirements, and completing supplementary forms for certain programs. The university looks at your grades, yes, but also at contest scores, extracurriculars, and how you present yourself in forms like the Admission Information Form (AIF). Think of it as a complete picture rather than just a report card.
Application deadlines run from October through January, with Engineering having an earlier cut-off on January 15 and most other programs closing February 1, though university enrollments declined 2.2% compared to colleges' steeper drops, potentially affecting competition levels. After you apply, you'll get login details for Quest (Waterloo's student portal) where you'll upload documents and track your application status. Offers start going out as early as February for top applicants, though most decisions arrive between March and May.
Waterloo acceptance rates by program
Waterloo's overall acceptance rate sits around 53%, but this number doesn't tell you much about your actual chances. The real story is in the program you're applying to.
Engineering overall and Waterloo acceptance rate engineering
Engineering acceptance rates range from 5% to 25% depending on which discipline you pick. Software Engineering sits at roughly 5%, while Civil and Environmental Engineering hover around 20-25%. The data from accepted students shows what you're up against: 98% of Software Engineering admits had averages above 90%, and 86% were at 95% or higher.
For any Engineering program, a low-to-mid 90s average is where you start, not where you aim.
Computer science and Waterloo computer science acceptance rate
Computer Science accepts about 4.3% of applicants. Among admitted students, 95% had averages of 90% or higher, and 90% exceeded 95%. Direct entry into Computer Science is tougher than applying to the Math faculty first and transferring later. Writing the Euclid Mathematics Contest or Canadian Senior Mathematics Contest can help your application, especially if your grades sit on the edge of the typical range.
Other faculties and the overall Waterloo acceptance rate
Arts, Environment, and Health Sciences programs are more accessible, with acceptance rates between 40% and 70%. These programs typically ask for Grade 12 English plus one or two other courses, with admission averages in the low-to-mid 80s.
Accounting and Financial Management is the exception. Even though it's part of the Arts faculty, it accepts only about 15% of applicants and looks for averages in the low 90s. This program also requires the School of Accounting and Finance Admissions Assessment (SAFAA), which we'll cover later.
Step by step application timeline
Timing matters at Waterloo. Missing a prerequisite course or forgetting a supplementary form can disqualify your application, no matter how strong your grades are.
1 - Choose Grade 12 courses by February
Course selection happens in Grade 11, usually in February or March when you're building your Grade 12 schedule. This is when you lock in prerequisites (the specific courses Waterloo requires for your program). Check Waterloo's admission requirements page for your target program and make sure every required course is on your timetable. Changing courses after September starts is difficult and sometimes impossible.
2 - Submit OUAC application in October to January
Ontario students apply through OUAC 101, while students from other provinces and countries use OUAC 105. You can apply as early as mid-October, though most students submit between December and the January deadline. The application fee is $125, and you can select up to three Waterloo programs. List them in order of preference because Waterloo sees this ranking.
3 - Upload grades and documents in February
After submitting your OUAC application, you'll receive an email with your student ID and Quest login. Ontario high schools send midterm grades electronically, but BC students need to upload a transcript with second-semester midterm marks as soon as they're available. International students and those with IB, AP, or other credentials upload documents directly to Quest. Everything goes in by mid-February to stay in consideration for early offers.
4 - Complete the AIF and video interview by March
The Admission Information Form (AIF) is required for all Engineering and Mathematics programs, plus Architecture, Computing and Financial Management, and several health programs. You'll answer questions about your extracurriculars, work experience, awards, and goals. Engineering applicants also complete a short video interview with three pre-recorded questions.
For Accounting and Financial Management, you'll complete the SAFAA instead, which includes video questions and a 78-question trait assessment. The AIF deadline for Engineering early consideration is January 15, with a final deadline in late March for other programs.
5 - Track your offer and accept before June 1
Waterloo sends offers in waves starting in February. Early offers go to top applicants, while most decisions arrive between March and May. You'll see your offer status in Quest and get an email when a decision is made. If you receive an offer, you have until June 1 to accept through OUAC. After accepting, you'll submit final transcripts in June to confirm your grades meet the offer conditions.
Required Grade 12 courses and minimum averages
Every Waterloo program lists specific prerequisite courses. Missing even one disqualifies your application.
Engineering course list
All Engineering programs require five specific courses: Advanced Functions, Calculus and Vectors, Chemistry, Physics, and English (all at the 4U level for Ontario students). Each course needs a minimum final grade of 70%, though competitive averages sit much higher.
Ontario students take:
- Advanced Functions 4U
- Calculus and Vectors 4U
- Chemistry 4U
- Physics 4U
- English 4U
BC students take:
- Pre-Calculus 12
- Chemistry 12
- Physics 12
- English Studies 12 or English First Peoples 12
- AP Calculus or Calculus 12
Alberta students take:
- Mathematics 30-1
- Mathematics 31
- Chemistry 30
- Physics 30
- English Language Arts 30-1
Grade 11 Introduction to Computer Science is strongly recommended for Software and Computer Engineering, and Grade 12 Computer Science helps your application.
Math and computer science course list
Mathematics programs require Advanced Functions, Calculus and Vectors, and any Grade 12 U English. That's three required courses, giving you more flexibility than Engineering. Grade 11 Introduction to Computer Science is recommended but not required for Computer Science applicants. Writing the Euclid or Canadian Senior Mathematics Contest is listed as "strongly encouraged," which in practice means you probably want to do it if you're aiming to be competitive.
Arts environment and other programs
Most Arts, Environment, and Health Sciences programs require only Grade 12 English, with some adding one or two specific courses. Accounting and Financial Management requires English, Advanced Functions, and Calculus and Vectors, all with minimum grades of 75%. Always check the specific requirements for your program because they can vary significantly even within the same faculty.
How Waterloo calculates and adjusts your admission average
Your admission average comes from your top six Grade 12 U or M courses (for Ontario students), including all required courses for your program. If you take more than six Grade 12 courses, Waterloo automatically uses the six with the highest grades.
What adjustment factors mean
Waterloo uses something called the Waterloo Adjustment Factor (WAF) to level the playing field between high schools. Not all schools grade the same way. Some are known for grade inflation, while others maintain tougher standards.
The WAF is based on historical data showing how students from your school performed in their first year at Waterloo. For most Ontario high schools, Waterloo subtracts about 14% from your high school average to predict your first-year university GPA. This adjustment can range from 9% for schools with strong academic preparation to 20% for schools where students have historically struggled.
A 95% from a school with a 10% adjustment might be weighted more favorably than a 97% from a school with an 18% adjustment. Your raw grades aren't the only factor.
How contests influence your score
For Engineering applicants, your final admission score combines your adjusted average, extracurricular score (out of 5), and interview score (out of 3). Math and Computer Science programs use contest results from the Euclid or Canadian Computing Competition to strengthen applications and make scholarship decisions. Strong contest scores can offset slightly lower grades, especially if you're on the borderline.
Understanding the AIF and video interview
The AIF is your chance to show Waterloo who you are beyond your transcript. It's required for Engineering, Mathematics, and several other competitive programs, and it can make the difference when admission decisions come down to a 1% margin.
Key AIF questions to prepare
The AIF includes six main questions, each with character limits between 500 and 900 characters. You'll describe a passion or strong interest, explain your community contributions, discuss how you've handled unfair treatment, outline your goals for attending Waterloo, list your extracurriculars, and share your achievements. Each question is a chance to demonstrate qualities Waterloo values: leadership, initiative, resilience, communication, and genuine interest in your field. The admissions team isn't looking for a long list of activities. They want depth, reflection, and evidence that you've grown from your experiences.
Using STAR to craft strong answers
The STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) gives your responses structure and clarity. Start by describing the context, explain what you were trying to achieve, detail the specific actions you took, and finish with the measurable results or what you learned. Instead of writing "I was president of the robotics club," you'd explain the challenge your team faced, your specific role in solving it, the actions you took, and the outcome. Specific, concrete examples stand out far more than vague generalizations.
Contests and extra credentials that boost your chances
Academic contests demonstrate your interest in your field and can strengthen borderline applications. While not required, they're one of the few ways to differentiate yourself when many applicants have similar grades.
Euclid math contest
The Euclid is written in April of Grade 12 and is open to all students applying to Mathematics or related programs. Scoring in the top 25% (typically around 60-70 out of 100) is considered strong, while top 5% scores can significantly boost your application. Registration opens in February through your school or directly through Waterloo's Centre for Education in Mathematics and Computing (CEMC). Past papers are available online for practice.
Canadian computing contest
The Canadian Computing Competition (CCC) runs in February and includes Junior and Senior divisions. Computer Science and Software Engineering applicants benefit most from strong CCC scores, especially in the Senior division. You register through your school or directly with CEMC. The competition tests algorithmic thinking and programming skills, with past problems available for practice.
Relevant work or co op experience
High school co-op placements, part-time jobs, or volunteer work in your field of interest demonstrate practical experience and employability. Engineering programs particularly value this because all students enter co-op in first year. Even if your work isn't directly related to your program, it shows responsibility, time management, and commitment.
Converting international grades to Canadian marks
International students often wonder how their grades translate to Ontario's system. Waterloo evaluates credentials from over 100 countries and has established conversion standards for most international qualifications.
Grading system for IGCSE
IGCSE grades convert to Ontario percentages using a standard scale. An A* typically translates to 90-100%, an A to 80-89%, a B to 70-79%, and a C to 60-69%. You'll submit predicted grades initially, then final grades once available. Waterloo requires specific subject combinations depending on your program, typically English, Mathematics, and sciences for STEM programs.
IB and AP score equivalencies
IB diploma students need to achieve minimum scores in required subjects, with most competitive programs looking for 6s and 7s in Higher Level courses. A predicted IB score of 38-40+ is competitive for Engineering and Computer Science. AP courses can fulfill prerequisite requirements if you achieve a score of 4 or 5. For example, AP Calculus AB or BC can replace Calculus and Vectors, while AP Chemistry can satisfy the chemistry requirement for Engineering.
How to stand out if your grades are borderline
If your average sits just below the typical range for your program, you're not automatically out of the running. Waterloo's holistic approach means strong supplementary materials can compensate for slightly lower grades.
Retaking or upgrading courses
Ontario students can upgrade courses through private schools, summer school, or night school to improve specific grades. This is particularly useful if you have one low grade pulling down your average. However, Waterloo sees all attempts at a course and may average multiple attempts or use the first grade. Check with admissions before retaking courses to understand how they'll be evaluated.
Highlighting leadership and community impact
Your AIF is where borderline grades can be offset by exceptional extracurriculars. Focus on depth over breadth—one meaningful leadership role where you created real change is worth more than a dozen surface-level club memberships. Waterloo values initiative, so highlight experiences where you identified a problem and took action to solve it. Quantify your impact whenever possible: dollars raised, people helped, percentage improvements, or measurable outcomes.
Resources to strengthen academics before you apply
Preparing for Waterloo means building a strong academic foundation, especially in your prerequisite courses. Getting help early can prevent struggling later.
Find a vetted tutor on TutorLyft
If you're finding Advanced Functions, Calculus, Physics, or Chemistry challenging, working with a tutor can target your specific weaknesses. TutorLyft connects you with qualified tutors across Canada who specialize in high school courses and contest preparation. One-on-one support is particularly valuable for understanding complex concepts that will form the foundation of your university studies.
Recommended study guides and online practice
Khan Academy offers free video lessons and practice problems for all prerequisite math and science courses. For contest preparation, CEMC publishes past Euclid and CCC papers with full solutions on their website. Your textbook and teacher are still your best resources for course content. Use online materials to supplement, not replace, your classroom learning.
