Jay Smith

1. What are the key components of a strong application?

"When applying to Waterloo, the most important element is grades. We calculate a student’s admission average by using their top 6 grade 12 U- or M-level courses, including any required courses for specific programs. Students should aim to have an average that at least meets the posted average in order to be considered, though anything higher obviously improves their chances. Most programs at Waterloo look for averages in the low 80s, but we do have some more competitive programs (which means a lot of applications for limited spots) so these programs can have averages that go into the 90s. For these programs, where many applicants can have similar grades, we can use supplemental application pieces to make a more informed decision. For example, Waterloo has applicants complete an Admission Information Form (AIF) where students can tell us more about themselves, list their extracurricular involvements, and brag a little. Some programs may also require interviews, portfolios, or auditions."

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2. Can you provide any guidance on how to effectively showcase extracurricular activities and achievements on the application?

"When completing the AIF to list extracurricular activities, I tell students to be genuine and let us know how they spend their time. Applicants can list what they have done (including how long they have been doing it for and what the commitment is) and even let us know what they have learned from these experiences. I often tell students to highlight three areas when including activities on the AIF: a demonstrated interest in the field they have applied to, work experience, and overall well roundedness. A demonstrated interest could be things like being part of the robotics club or math club at school if you were applying to an engineering or mathematics program, or maybe volunteering at a seniors’ home if you wanted to get into health science or therapeutic recreation; it shows you have a bit of an idea of what you’re getting into. Work experience is a good idea to showcase, especially if you’re applying to a co-op program at Waterloo. Whether it’s a part-time job at a grocery store, or volunteering weekly with an amateur sports organization, we like to see students who will be coming with a resume started and can show they have some time management skills, are dependable, and have work ethic. These don’t have to be in areas related to what you applied to at all. Finally, we like to see what students do with their time, whether it’s building computers, part of a rowing club, gardening, or responsibilities at home. In many cases, we want to know that students will come to Waterloo not just to spend their time going to classes and studying, but also to get involved in student life activities. So brag a little and let us know all the things you get up to! There isn’t one type of student or certain activities we are looking for – just be honest and let us know what you do. We are looking for what the transferable skills are from whatever extracurricular you are in. Clubs, teams, councils, part-time jobs, volunteering, awards, accolades, hobbies, and responsibilities at home can all be included. There are no perfect extracurriculars to mention or that we are looking for, but how you explain those involvements to us on the AIF, and which skills they relate to, is most important. Another small tip: it’s a good idea to list some of the activities you’re most proud of and want us to know at the top of your list to make sure those details don’t get lost in a long list."

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3. Can you offer advice on how to address any weaknesses or gaps in the application, such as low grades or limited extracurricular involvement?

"We’ll never penalize students for something that is beyond their control. While students should be meeting the posted admission requirements and submitting supplemental pieces if they are required, they can let us know if there are circumstances we should be aware of that may have impacted their grades or ability to get involved in extracurricular activities. With extracurriculars in particular, students don’t need to worry about having an extensive list. If they have a few activities that they have been involved in for a significant commitment, that can sometimes mean more than someone with many different activities listed."

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4. Are there any common mistakes or misconceptions that applicants should avoid when completing their applications?

"Sometimes students are more concerned with trying to write what they think we want to see, rather than being truthful and genuine about what they do and feel. And although we encourage students to have someone proofread their AIF (because spelling and grammar can be taken into account) parents shouldn’t be writing these on an applicant’s behalf. An honest AIF is the best way to go."

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5. What is the most common mistake made on applications?

"Follow the instructions sent to you and there shouldn’t be any mistakes, however, I’m always surprised at the small number of students who work on their AIF, save it, but then forget to ultimately submit it. Make sure you complete and submit the AIF by the deadline to ensure you will be considered."

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6. How important are awards on applications?

"Awards can certainly be included on your AIF. Whether it’s a math contest, a community nomination, team championship, or individual effort, you can include these on your application. They are typically looked at the same as any other extracurricular that’s listed so it’s definitely worth including, but also not a disadvantage if you don’t have any."

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7. Would you be able to roughly outline the application process?

"Students will typically apply in the fall of their grade 12 year to begin their studies the following September. You apply through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC) which includes all 23 universities in the province. You’ll be able to apply to 3 universities, but can purchase additional applications, and can apply to up to 3 programs at one university (great if you have multiple interests or haven’t decided on one program yet). The universities will then get in touch with you about next steps, like creating your students account and submitting any supplemental application pieces like the Admission Information Form (AIF). You do not have to have all of your courses or grades completed in order to apply. The application just gets things started so we know who is interested in studying with us. For students in Ontario high schools, your grades will automatically be sent to us by your school as you progress through your studies. Depending on the program and requirements, you could start to hear back with offers as early as January, though many decisions can be made in early May, once we have a lot more of your grade information. For most programs, you have until the beginning of June to accept your offer. So prepare to apply in October or November of your grade 12 year, focus on your grades and extracurriculars while you do some waiting, and then see those responses come back over the next few months before deciding on that final program and school. We list more steps on our website: https://uwaterloo.ca/future-students/admissions/how-to-apply."