McMaster Engineering supplementary application 2027: the Kira format, the January 28 deadline and other McMaster programs with a supplement

McMaster's Faculty of Engineering says the supplementary application is designed to assess skills that aren't on a transcript. It looks at four areas: engagement, collaboration, innovation and creativity, and resilience. McMaster says it helps the faculty understand each applicant and supports a more holistic review.

It is required. McMaster's page on the 2027 tracks says you need an 87% average and a completed supplementary application to be considered, and that being considered doesn't guarantee admission. For courses, averages and the new tracks, see our McMaster Engineering admission requirements page.

One application covers four programs: Engineering, Integrated Biomedical Engineering and Health Sciences (iBioMed), Computer Science and the four-year Bachelor of Technology. If you apply to more than one, you complete it once and pay once.

Students applying to the BTech Degree Completion Programs don't need it. Upper-year transfer applicants do. Our McMaster Computer Science admission requirements page covers the CS side.

There are four questions. Three are video questions. You get 10 seconds to read each one and 2 minutes to record your answer. The fourth is a written question with a short answer. McMaster says there is no word limit for the written answer.

McMaster's page gives two different times for the written question. One section says 10 minutes total to read and respond. The FAQ says 7 minutes total. Plan for 7 minutes to be safe, and confirm the time shown in Kira before you start.

McMaster says the questions are interview-style. You won't get skill-testing or technical questions, and you won't solve engineering problems. The questions are not shared in advance. Kira offers practice questions to test your camera and microphone, and McMaster says they are completely different from the real ones.

Once you start a question you must finish it. You can take breaks between questions. You can't redo or change an answer after you submit it.

The supplementary application opens October 1, 2026. McMaster won't send invitation emails before then. After you submit your OUAC application, Kira emails you an invitation. One part of the page says within 7 to 10 business days, and the FAQ says within 10 business days. Check your junk folder.

McMaster recommends applying on OUAC by Thursday, November 12, 2026 and finishing the supplementary application by Thursday, November 26, 2026. It says early submission may get your file reviewed sooner but doesn't guarantee an earlier offer. The final deadline for high school applicants is January 28, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Upper-year transfer and second-degree applicants have until April 15, 2027.

Compare other Ontario dates on our Ontario university application deadlines page.

McMaster says a team of trained reviewers evaluates every supplementary application. It uses a holistic process, which it describes as considering your academic performance and your supplementary application together. It calls the supplementary application an important part of the decision, reviewed carefully for every applicant.

McMaster doesn't share the rubric or individual results. It doesn't publish a weighting between grades and the supplement either. It says race, gender identity and other demographic traits are not considered, and that videos are never used to infer personal traits. Videos are kept to confirm that the applicant gave the answers, if that ever needs checking.

McMaster says most admission decisions are released between March and May.

McMaster's FAQ asks whether you can use AI or outside help, and answers: "No. We require that all answers submitted through the Kira Talent platform are entirely your own original work. Do not use AI tools, other people, or any external sources to write or generate your responses."

It adds that "The Kira platform monitors for suspicious activity, including but not limited to suspicious browser activity, unusual typing speeds, copying and pasting from the Kira platform, and plagiarism." Do the application alone, in one sitting per question, without notes written by anyone else.

You need a computer or laptop with a working webcam and microphone. McMaster suggests a quiet, well-lit space without distractions. Kira lists supported browsers on its own help pages, which McMaster links to.

When you finish, Kira sends a confirmation email saying your assessment is 100% complete. That email is your proof. McMaster's applicant portal can show the supplement as incomplete for several weeks while it updates, and McMaster's list warns it may not show as complete until after the deadline. That is normal.

If you need accommodations, McMaster has a Request for Accommodations form. You must submit your OUAC application first. McMaster says approved accommodations don't affect how your answers are evaluated. Read our Kira Talent video interview guide for how the platform works across schools.

McMaster publishes its own advice. It says to reflect on experiences from school, work, clubs, sports, volunteering, family and personal challenges, and that strong answers can come from everyday situations. It says there is no single right answer and you don't need a specific type of experience. It mentions the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) as one way to organize your thoughts.

McMaster's page also posts one practice question for each of the four skills. Those are practice prompts, not the real questions. Read them on McMaster's page.

The second table above lists every Level I program that McMaster's own page names. A few points stand out. Arts and Science publishes its five 2027 questions and a 1,500 character limit per question. Integrated Science runs its own written application. Integrated Business and Humanities uses a separate Kira video interview plus a resume. Business has an optional written supplement for students near the lower end of the range.

Nursing uses Casper, and Midwifery uses an Identity and Admissions Survey. See our Casper test guide, McMaster Nursing and McMaster Midwifery pages. Health Sciences has its own written application, covered in our McMaster Health Sciences supplementary application guide.

Written question time: the Engineering page says 10 minutes in one section and 7 minutes in its FAQ. Plan for 7 and check Kira.

Integrated Science: McMaster's list says the Fall 2027 supplement is due February 2, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. ET. The iSci page still shows the closed Fall 2026 application, due February 2, 2026 at noon. Business: the list says April 30, 2027, while the DeGroote page still shows the Fall 2026 dates. Use the McMaster list for 2027, and confirm with the program once its page updates.

Your role is practical. Check that the $50 fee is paid on OUAC, the invitation email arrived and the webcam works. Give your child a quiet room. McMaster requires the answers to be your child's own work, and Kira watches for copied text and unusual typing.

Applicants who rank Engineering and Computer Science still do only one supplement. If the email hasn't arrived after 10 business days, McMaster asks you to contact its Engineering recruitment team from the OUAC email address.