Admission Requirements

Admission decisions are based on a combination of your admission average, your Admission Information Form score, and, in some cases, your Euclid Mathematics Contest results. This combination of factors is what we refer to as your admission score – it is this score that we use when we make our admission and our Descartes Foundation Entrance Scholarship decisions. If you apply to Computer Science or Bioinformatics, another factor in our admission decisions may be your results from the Canadian Computing Competition.
 

Your admission average

Your admission average is calculated from your Grade 12 or equivalent marks, including second semester mid-term marks; and it is made up of the 4 or 5 required Grade 12 U courses marks and your next-highest Grade 12 U or M marks for a total of 6 courses. You may substitute Grade 12 M Computer and Information Science for the required Grade 12 U course.

Repeated courses: If you have repeated a required Grade 12 or equivalent course, one mark will be taken off your overall admission score, unless there are extenuating circumstances that are noted on your Admission Information Form.

The Admission Information Form

The Admission Information Form (AIF) is an interactive web form that will be available from the next step website after we have received your application from OUAC. Your AIF is an important tool for distinguishing yourself in both admissions and scholarship decisions. The information you provide on the form will be a factor in our decision to offer you admission, and it may be the deciding factor if you've applied to one of our limited enrollment programs: Business Administration (WLU) and Mathematics (Waterloo) Double Degree, Computing and Financial Management, Mathematics/Business Administration, Mathematics/Financial Analysis and Risk Management, and Mathematics/Chartered Accountancy.

We have two different AIFs: one for students currently attending high school and another for students not currently attending high school. You are to complete the AIF that fits your circumstances at the time you're applying to the University of Waterloo. Each AIF asks about your academic studies, contest experience, academic and other achievements, extracurricular activities, and work experience. Based on the information you provide on your AIF, you could earn up to 12 bonus marks toward your admission score. The lowest possible score you'll receive is 1, so it is in your best interest to complete and submit an AIF.

Included on the form for students currently attending high school is a Teacher Reference section that is to be completed by a mathematics teacher who you feel can give an accurate assessment of your abilities. If you are studying in a semestered system and will not be taking the required math courses until the second semester, you may ask a Grade 11 math teacher to provide a reference.

Included on the form for students not currently attending high school is a section that gives you the option of providing a detailed work history or attaching your resume.

It is strongly recommended that applicants who want to be considered for a Descartes Foundation Entrance Scholarship submit a completed AIF.

Euclid Mathematics Contest

  • While the Euclid Mathematics Contest is not required for admission, we encourage you to participate in the Contest because it will help your problem solving skills and will prepare you for university studies. As well, strong performance in the Euclid Contest can help earn you a place in the Faculty of Mathematics.
  • If you're not an Ontario high school student, you're particularly encouraged to write the Euclid to demonstrate that you have sufficient mathematical background to enter our programs. In cases where we are unfamiliar with an applicant's education system and unable to assess an applicant's mathematical background, we may require that individual to write the Euclid Contest.
  • You must write the Euclid Mathematics Contest to be eligible for a Descartes Foundation Entrance Scholarship.
  • The Euclid Contest will be written in Canada and around the world on April 7, 2010. The deadline to register is March 2, 2010. For details about the Euclid Contest, including topics covered in the problems and preparation material available for purchase, please visit the Euclid webpage at the Centre for Education in the Mathematics and Computing website.

Canadian Computing Contest

While not an admission requirement, we encourage you to participate in the Canadian Computing Contest, if you're interested in programming and problem solving. It will be written on February 23, 2010. The deadline to register is January 26, 2010. For more information, visit the Canadian Computing Competition website.

English Language Requirements

If your first language is not English and you have not studied in an English-language school system for the most recent 4 years immediately before the beginning of the month you start your studies at UW, you must satisfy ONE of these test options:

FOR ADMISSION TO A CO-OP PROGRAM

  • TOEFL paper: 600 overall, TWE 5.0, TSE 50
  • TOEFL computer: 250 overall, 5.0 essay rating, TSE 50
  • TOEFL internet: 90 overall, 25 writing, 25 speaking
  • IELTS: 7.5
  • CAEL: 70 overall, 60 per band, 70 writing, 70 speaking
  • MELAB: 90 overall, 80 per section, 3 speaking

FOR ADMISSION TO A REGULAR PROGRAM

  • TOEFL paper: 580 overall, TWE 4.5
  • TOEFL computer: 237 overall, 4.5 essay rating
  • TOEFL internet: 90 overall, 25 writing, 25 speaking
  • IELTS: 7.0
  • CAEL: 70 overall, 60 per band
  • MELAB: 85

Please note that a TOEFL (or alternative) score does not replace nor can it be used as a substitute for the English requirement.

Students who do not meet these language requirements may be eligible for admission to the English Language for Academic Studies (ELAS) program.

English Language for Academic Studies Program

The Faculty of Mathematics offers a language enrichment program, English Language for Academic Studies (Math/ELAS), in conjunction with Conestoga College's General Arts and Science Language Option. The program is designed for first-year students who fit the following description:
  • your first language is not English
  • your English language skills are below the standard required for admission to the Faculty of Mathematics
  • you have a strong background in mathematics, and
  • you meet all our other admission criteria and are interested in studying in the Faculty of Mathematics at the University of Waterloo
If you enter this preparatory language program, you'll take courses at Conestoga College for one or two semesters and also complete one University of Waterloo Faculty of Mathematics course each semester. Enrolment in ELAS means that you to complete courses towards a BMath, improve the level of your English language competency, and qualify for full-time studies in the Faculty of Mathematics.

For further admission and program information, please visit the ELAS web site.

Additional information for applicants who are not Ontario high school students

  • If you're a high school student applying from outside Ontario, we'll consider the average marks of your senior English and mathematics (including Calculus) courses. You may be asked to take courses to upgrade your mathematics skills.
  • Visit the required courses for admission webpage and then compare these courses to course equivalencies for students in Canada or for students in countries outside of Canada.
  • If you're applying from outside of Canada, visit our information for international applicants webpage.
  • A Euclid Mathematics Contest score is important since it helps us compare applicants from different school systems. We encourage you to prepare for and write this Contest.
  • If you've been out of school for more than 3 years, we may ask you to retake your senior mathematics courses.
  • If you've taken technical college courses, you must also have completed the required Grade 12 or equivalent courses.
  • If you're an international student on a Student Visa, please note that in co-op programs there are a very limited number of spaces open and competition is extremely high.
  • If you'll complete your studies by December, consider applying for January admission.

 

 


Last Modified:  Monday 21 December 2009
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