Waterloo Engineering is the most competitive engineering admission in Canada, with direct entry to your specialty and the world's largest co-op program behind it. Here is what the application actually requires: grades, prerequisites, the AIF, and for some programs, an interview.
Prerequisites and Competitive Averages
For Ontario applicants, engineering programs typically require Grade 12 U English, Calculus, Advanced Functions, Physics, and Chemistry. Your admission average is built from your Top 6 4U/M courses, with prerequisites counted first; see Academic Requirements Decoded for how the calculation works and how IB, A-Level, and Caribbean grades convert.
Admission averages run roughly 90-97% depending on the program, and Waterloo uses direct entry, so you choose your specialty when you apply and the most popular streams are the most competitive. Software Engineering sits at the top at 95%+ and also includes a video interview. These numbers shift yearly, so treat them as approximate.
The AIF: Waterloo's Supplementary Application
The Admission Information Form (AIF) is required for most Waterloo programs and is particularly critical for Engineering. It covers extracurricular activities, employment history, written responses, and program-specific questions. Engineering AIF deadlines typically land at the end of January (Architecture runs later, into March), so do not leave it until after you submit your application.
What makes an AIF stand out
Focus on impact rather than participation, use specific examples, be authentic, and proofread carefully. Our Supplementary Applications chapter includes a complete AIF guide with activity-description strategies.
How to Apply
You apply through OUAC: the 101 stream if you are currently in an Ontario high school, or 105 if you are applying from another province or internationally. The OUAC System Deep Dive walks through both, and our OUAC 101 vs 105 guide helps you pick the right one. Offers are usually conditional on maintaining your grades, so keep your average up after acceptance.
Why It Is Worth It: Mandatory Co-op
Waterloo Engineering co-op is mandatory: you alternate 4-month study and work terms, completing 6 work terms for about 2 years of experience before graduation. Students earn up to $137,000 over their degree, with 8,000+ employers in 70+ countries, from big tech to engineering and finance firms. Compare Waterloo against other schools in Engineering Programs Compared or go deeper with the University of Waterloo Complete Guide.
Get Your AIF Reviewed Before You Submit
Our peer advisers include current Waterloo students who know what a strong engineering application looks like from the inside.