Canadian University ApplicationsDavid Lu, Bill Xun, Ben Zhang

David LuUniversity of Waterloo

Class of 2020

Software Engineering

Olympiads Programming & Web Design Teacher

Enjoys gaming and country music

Bill XunUniversity of Illinois

Class of 2019

Electrical Engineering

Enjoys swimming and Art

Ben ZhangUniversity of Waterloo

Class of 2020

Computer Science

Enjoys Pizza

Overview• Most Universities located in Ontario

Apply through OUAC

• Applications filed entirely online

• Rolling admissions

• Only conditional offers given

• Admissions primarily based upon marks

Canadian Universities

Ontario

• University of Waterloo

• University of Toronto

• McMaster University

• Western University

• Queen’s University

• University of Ottawa

• Carleton University

• York University

Outside of Ontario

• McGill University

• University of British Columbia

• University of Alberta

• University of King’s College

• Universite de Montreal

Why Canada?• Low tuition costs

Maximum of $20 0000 Average $10 000

• Closer to home

• High quality of education

• Easier application process

General Admissions• Marks are sent via OUAC

Access obtained from school in late September/early October

• Only certain schools require additional information

• Majority of decisions made based upon marks

• Most scholarships given depend entirely on marks

• Admission requirements are reasonably loose

• Some affirmative action practiced

General Admission Averages• Admission average calculated from top 6 grade 12 courses including

all required courses

• Different universities require different courses

• Some universities utilize grade 11 marks for early admissions

• High school difficulty taken into account

• IB marks are adjusted to reflect difficulty

• AP scores are not counted by most universities

• Minimum admission averages are in the mid 80s (~85%)

• High 90s practically guarantees admission to most programs

Hot University Programs• University of Waterloo Software/Biomedical Engineering (Co-op)

• University of Waterloo Computer Science/Engineering (Co-op)

• McMaster University Health Sciences

• University of Toronto Engineering Science

• McGill University Health Sciences

• University of Western Ontario Ivey Business School

• University of Toronto Rotman School of Management

• Queen’s School of Business

University of Waterloo – Engineering • Software/biomedical engineering, most in-demand programs in Canada

• Software requires programming experience

• Admission average chances (semi-official): 85% to 90%: 0% chance 90% to 95%: 10% chance Above 95%: 70% chance

• Depends heavily upon the supplementary application (AIF), up to 10% boost

• Marks help to a degree

• Contest performance strongly affect admission

• Many applicants deferred to computer engineering/other engineering

• Prerequisites – MHF, MCV, ENG, SCH, SPH (ICS highly recommended)

University of Waterloo – CompSci • Computer science, prestigious program in Canada, amazing co-op

program

• Admission average chances (unofficial): 85% to 90%: 5% chance 90% to 95%: 40% chance Above 95%: 95% chance

• Depends heavily upon contest performance

• Marks in certain subjects help

• Supplementary application somewhat affects application, up to 5% boost

• Many applicants deferred to mathematics/geomatics

• Prerequisite: MHF, MCV, ENG (ICS recommended)

Additional Information Form (AIF)• Part 1

Reasons for choosing your program and Waterloo Extracurricular activities

Additional Information about extracurriculars

Employment background Special achievements, distinctions, and awards

• Part 2 Circumstances regarding academic record Institutions attended Post-secondary education Additional information

Additional Information Form (AIF)• Part 3

Grade 12 courses information with marks Additional courses Courses not taken at a regular day school Repeated courses

• Engineering Engineering interests and goals Reading interests Programming knowledge (software engineering only) Scholarships Alternate engineering choices

Additional Information Form (AIF)• Math/Computer Science

Math contests Euclid Fermat Hypatia CSMC

Euclid contest (required) Canadian Computing Competition Other contests Math teacher reference

University of Toronto - Engineering• Top ranked engineering program in Canada

• Engineering Science, Electrical, Computer, Civil, Mechanical, Chemical, etc.

• Entrance depends mostly upon the supplementary application (SPF)

• High marks not essential

• Many students go on to graduate school

• Admission averages are in the low 90s

• Required courses: MHF, MCV, SCH, SPH, ENG

Student Profile Form (SPF)• Similar to the AIF

• References required for everything

• Video portion involved Problem 1: 2 minute preparation, 2 minute video response Problem 2: 10 minute typed response (250 words) Problem 3: 3 minute preparation, 3 minute video response

McMaster University – HealthSci• Highly competitive medical program – 150 acceptances out of 4000

applicants

• ~50% of graduates go on to medical school

• Minimum 90% average in required courses

• Less than 50% acceptance at 95% average

• Three essay questions

• Similar to Common Application

• Sample Essay prompt: “Why?”

• Prerequisite courses: ENG, SBI, SCH, MCV or MHF

Business Schools• Includes

Western Ivey York Schulich Queen’s Business Toronto Rotman Laurier Business

• Marks are much less important compared to supplementaries Cutoff based

• High 80s to low 90s required

Supplementary Application• Mostly essay based

• Creativity required

• Very similar to essays required on the Common Application (US)

Life/Medical Sciences/Humanities• Toronto, McGill, Western, Waterloo, Queen’s, etc.

• Similar programs throughout Ontario

• All lead to medical school

• Mid 80s to receive admission

• Hard to remain University of Toronto Life Sciences has a 50% attrition rate

Prerequisites: Varies between schools, generally ENG, SCH, SBI, MCV/MHF

Summary• Easy to get in, hard to stay in

• Competitive programs require 90s

• Most programs require mid 80s and above

• Supplementary applications are crucial to certain programs

• High grades trump most things

Thank You – Questions?Presentation available at david-lu.com