Computer Science Canada

Get into Waterloo?
Author:  Null [ Thu Sep 07, 2006 5:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Get into Waterloo?
I'm currently in grade 11, and at the present time, I think I'm interested in Computer Engineering. I'm looking at Waterloo, and it looks great. Sort of the MIT of Canada.

My question is, does anybody have any experience here? What do I need to get in?

What kind of grade are they expecting (I would suspect about 90%), what level of extra-curricular involvement? Do they expect somebody to do more then 40 community service hours? I know they issue the math contests; do the expect them to be written?

Any info would be great. Thanks in advance. Smile
Author:  cool dude [ Thu Sep 07, 2006 6:05 pm ]
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there are many topics on this and there website has plenty of information. there really isn't a set average that they made where u can get in. it varies depending on how many ppl apply and the competition as well as the kind of program you want. it would be more specific on there website where it shows for each program wat average u can get in with. don't forget to take all the required courses though! extra curricular activities is always good and scholarship wise you can get more scholarships. other than that really if u hadn't done any extra curricular activities you'll still get in if you are high in academics. no they don't expect you to do more than 40 hours. its always better to do more but it really doesn't have much of an effect. although again i say if your looking for more scholarships having more is better Wink they strongly recommend you write the euclid contest. if you don't its okay it really won't matter. if you perform really high on the euclid contest you can get a really high scholarship though like cervantes.

as a personal note i'm prolly not going to waterloo just because of how expensive it is to live on campus. prolly going to go to york.

good luck
Author:  Cervantes [ Thu Sep 07, 2006 6:30 pm ]
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If you've got a 90 average or higher, you will get into most any program. There are a few exceptions, so you should look it up.

Euclid is highly recommended. A poor score will not lower your chances to get in, but a good score will help you get in if you've got an average around the cut off, or help get your scholarships.

Writing the CCC will do the same, but I think it's valued a little less so.

As part of the application process, you must fill out an Additional Information Form (AIF). It allows them to get to know you in terms other than academics. It's ranked out of 12 and is added to your average. So if you have a 100% average and get 12/12 on the AIF then your admission number is 112. At least, I think that's how it works.
Author:  rdrake [ Thu Sep 07, 2006 7:01 pm ]
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I was able to get into Computer Science Honours (co-op) with an 83% average and with filling out my AIF. I had quite a bit of community involvement in there, as well as other projects and such.

You obviously need the 40 hours to graduate, but other than that, put the extra hours on your AIF and hope for the best.
Author:  Tony [ Thu Sep 07, 2006 8:07 pm ]
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90% should get you into most programs.

You could loose some entrance points if you come from a school with low standing, so you better make up for that with higher AIF. Most notably Waterloo's Math and Computer contests.

A school with low standing is one that over-inflates their marks and/or is behind the curriculum. It shows well when 90% students are admited, and then fail courses. So Universities normalize your entrance marks.
Author:  bugzpodder [ Thu Sep 07, 2006 8:17 pm ]
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i think 80% is enough for most, even coop.
Author:  Tony [ Thu Sep 07, 2006 8:21 pm ]
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Borderline, but yes, it's feasable to get in with 80%

Unless it's NanoEngineering or Mechatronics.. you know, those 'only at Waterloo (and perhaps UBC)' popular programs.
Author:  Martin [ Thu Sep 07, 2006 9:01 pm ]
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Good sir, you are incorrect. MIT is the Waterloo of America.
Author:  Null [ Thu Sep 07, 2006 9:02 pm ]
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My school actually has a reputation for being very difficult. Many parents complain that their kids' marks are too low (or so I hear).

Thanks for the advice all. I'll look into it more seriously when the time comes. Smile
Author:  TokenHerbz [ Tue Sep 12, 2006 10:54 am ]
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my school is crap, its low standing....


kids fail but they put them threw, there course's suck, they dont have variiety, and use simple courses. split courses are often too, like grade 11/12 math (which both learn the same things)

I feel this is why i have a lack in math skills, but i quess thats what you get for living in a 12 road town....


Any ideas how i can better my chances to get into a college or uni?
Author:  wtd [ Tue Sep 12, 2006 11:24 am ]
Post subject: 
TokenHerbz wrote:
Any ideas how i can better my chances to get into a college or uni?


Work hard, and don't pass up opportunities to display your desire to learn. Study hard. Learn even when you don't have to.

Don't try to cheat the system. Colleges and universities know every possible way of doing so, and won't be impressed by your "creativity."

If you have an opportunity to go to the college/university of your desire, do so. Arrange to meet with a professor in your desired area of study. Talk with that professor openly and honestly about your desires and concerns. Make yourself something other than a faceless piece of paper in the application process.

Make sure authority figures in your life know about your desires and concerns with regards to higher education. These people are your parents, and the administration at your high school.
Author:  BenLi [ Tue Sep 12, 2006 3:37 pm ]
Post subject: 
Quote:
You could loose some entrance points if you come from a school with low standing


I've heard of massey teachers talk about it, but how much difference does going to Massey make in terms of high and low school standings
Author:  Andy [ Tue Sep 12, 2006 4:41 pm ]
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lets just say i knwo people who got in to comp eng with 78 simply because they were from massey.
Author:  1of42 [ Thu Sep 14, 2006 7:05 pm ]
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Martin wrote:
Good sir, you are incorrect. MIT is the Waterloo of America.


In the sense of, "reputable school for engineering, math/science, etc" then yes.

In the sense of "most focused school on science/engineering/math in <country>", then Caltech is a more appropriate choice in America.
Author:  Tony [ Sun Sep 17, 2006 11:28 pm ]
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while most of the following information has already been mentioned above (or in other threads on the forums), I've put together a "short" review of the University of Waterloo, and tried to at least touch base with common questions. Considering the number of times those questions are asked, I think it's good to have a summary to point to in the future.

http://compsci.ca/blog/getting-into-university-of-waterloo/
Author:  Null [ Mon Sep 18, 2006 5:55 pm ]
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Thanks for that great write-up Tony. It was very helpful.

I actually didn't know about Mechatronics engineering. It really looks like something I'd enjoy.
Author:  Tony [ Mon Sep 18, 2006 6:29 pm ]
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good stuff.

You should think about visiting Waterloo during a weekday next term (January~April), when I'm back on campus. I could probably give you a tour, and sneak you into some lectures.

Mechatronics is interesting, but tough. Though a number of other compsci.ca members are in the program already.
Author:  Naveg [ Mon Sep 18, 2006 7:12 pm ]
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Just out of curiosity, what value does being a Shad Valley participant have on a waterloo application?

www.shad.ca if you don't know what it is....but if you don't you probably can't answer my question.

If you do know, please tell!
Author:  bugzpodder [ Mon Sep 18, 2006 7:31 pm ]
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well since none of us is directly involved in waterloo student selection, so it is clear that no definitive answers can be given. however we could definitely speculate... not sure how useful that is though.
Author:  Null [ Mon Sep 18, 2006 8:00 pm ]
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Tony wrote:
good stuff.

You should think about visiting Waterloo during a weekday next term (January~April), when I'm back on campus. I could probably give you a tour, and sneak you into some lectures.

Mechatronics is interesting, but tough. Though a number of other compsci.ca members are in the program already.


Thanks for the offer. I'll let you know next year when I'm in grade 12. Smile
Author:  1of42 [ Tue Sep 19, 2006 7:20 pm ]
Post subject: 
Naveg wrote:
Just out of curiosity, what value does being a Shad Valley participant have on a waterloo application?

www.shad.ca if you don't know what it is....but if you don't you probably can't answer my question.

If you do know, please tell!


Were you at Shad this summer? If so which campus?

I was at UBC. Very Happy
Author:  Naveg [ Tue Sep 19, 2006 8:12 pm ]
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I was at Memorial. And iris b. goes to my school. I suppose you know her Razz
Author:  Null [ Tue Sep 19, 2006 8:17 pm ]
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I'm just thinking out loud here (or is that out-text? ).

Maybe I'm getting ahead of myself, but I could do EE with the Mechatronics option. This stuff sounds so neat. :p
Author:  Xi_is4COW [ Tue Sep 19, 2006 10:30 pm ]
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Yeah i got in, but not for compsci though, I'm currently in EE, so it's not too bad either, actually the requirement were ok, not too bad at all
Author:  ZeroPaladn [ Fri Sep 22, 2006 12:20 pm ]
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I'm looking to get into U of W for their Secondary Education of Sciences and Mathematics. I'm in Grade 12 now, but im staying an extra year at GCI (in cambridge) to bring up my marks. I hover around a 70%-75%.
Author:  s3arkay [ Fri Sep 22, 2006 2:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Get into Waterloo?
Null wrote:
I'm currently in grade 11, and at the present time, I think I'm interested in Computer Engineering. I'm looking at Waterloo, and it looks great. Sort of the MIT of Canada.

My question is, does anybody have any experience here? What do I need to get in?

What kind of grade are they expecting (I would suspect about 90%), what level of extra-curricular involvement? Do they expect somebody to do more then 40 community service hours? I know they issue the math contests; do the expect them to be written?

Any info would be great. Thanks in advance. Smile


Goodluck, you need high marks.
Author:  bugzpodder [ Fri Sep 22, 2006 5:46 pm ]
Post subject: 
relatively high
Author:  ZeroPaladn [ Mon Sep 25, 2006 12:34 pm ]
Post subject: 
joy. time to start studying! (f***)
Author:  bugzpodder [ Mon Sep 25, 2006 5:47 pm ]
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you do realize that entrance is based on mostly your grade 11 marks and midterm marks from grade 12?
Author:  richcash [ Mon Sep 25, 2006 6:24 pm ]
Post subject: 
What!?
I thought grade 11 marks mean absolutely nothing unless you want early acceptance (you can apply anytime, right?)? Or are you talking about early acceptance?
I still don't get how early acceptance works. I mean, what if you have all easy courses in the first semester?
Author:  Tony [ Mon Sep 25, 2006 6:39 pm ]
Post subject: 
richcash wrote:
I mean, what if you have all easy courses in the first semester?

This is exactly why they look at your grade 11 marks.
Author:  richcash [ Mon Sep 25, 2006 7:02 pm ]
Post subject: 
But you don't have to apply at mid-term, do you? Can't you apply after your final report card. Then they wouldn't look at grade 11, would they? If there is no way for me to ever omit my grade 11 marks then I might as well give up! Rolling Eyes
Author:  Tony [ Mon Sep 25, 2006 7:11 pm ]
Post subject: 
richcash wrote:
Can't you apply after your final report card.

By that time all of the acceptances would already be mailed out. There are set deadlines for the whole procedure.

Though as it has been stated before, the awesome thing about Waterloo's AIF is that you get to explain why grade 11 marks are an inaccurate representation of your abilities (just don't say that you 'didn't know they mattered'), and show a clear improvement in your partial 12. They'll likely delay the decision and if your marks show to stay up, they'll overlook your 11.
Author:  ZeroPaladn [ Tue Sep 26, 2006 12:24 pm ]
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Whew! That is a releif. Anyways, what if im staying an extra year (woot, grade 13), do i still have to mail out my application before feb? or would it be next feb?
Author:  Tony [ Tue Sep 26, 2006 7:39 pm ]
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that I don't know about. It's best to speak with your highschool and the University of choice, to find out how they all handle such kind of an approach.
Author:  ZeroPaladn [ Wed Sep 27, 2006 1:06 pm ]
Post subject: 
Tony wrote:
that I don't know about. It's best to speak with your highschool and the University of choice, to find out how they all handle such kind of an approach.


Nice to see that Tony doesn't know everything. I was starting to think you were a robot. Rolling Eyes

Either way, thanks for you help. Nice to see that I can exclude my Grade 11 marks, because I wouldn't get into ANY college or university with those.
Author:  josh [ Sun Oct 01, 2006 11:20 am ]
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As far as early acceptance goes, my guidance counceller told me that it is highly unlikely that you will get early acceptance unless you have english in your first semester of grade 12.
Author:  jamonathin [ Mon Oct 02, 2006 1:04 pm ]
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ZeroPaladn wrote:
do i still have to mail out my application before feb? or would it be next feb?


I stayed a fifth year at kennedy and never applied until my 5th year b4 feb. Its all really easy using COMPASS.

Side Note: My marks in highschool, well sucked in my mind (gr12 70 avg) gr13 (84 avg) and my university average was about 81 ish. And I still got into waterloo. Too bad im broke and could never afford (and seeing as I wouldn't get many scholarships), i elected not to go. But dont, not apply for waterloo if you feel your marks are low.

The only school I didnt get into was Western, mmmeh.
Author:  richcash [ Mon Oct 02, 2006 3:41 pm ]
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So universities will consider marks from courses that have been re-done? Does anyone know for sure if they actually adjust the mark of a re-done course (I heard they might drop the mark by 6%!)? Or by grade 13 do people mean that they take courses they haven't taken yet to boost their average?
Author:  josh [ Mon Oct 02, 2006 3:43 pm ]
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I read that they do adjust the mark a bit if you have repeated the course and they are taking the mark from the repeat.

I also found out that waterloo only lets you apply to one engineering program on your OUAC application. If I don't get into the program I applied for on my main application will they seriously consider the other programs i put down on the AIF?

Basically I really want nano-engineering and my marks are at the lower end of what you need to get in (90ish), but there are other types of engineering there I would like to do also if I don't get in, so I don't know what to apply for n e more. will they actually consider your other choices? does anyone know of ppl that have gotten in with their secondary choices?
Author:  Andy [ Tue Oct 03, 2006 3:47 am ]
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yes. a friend of mine got rejected from nano and dropped to elec
Author:  Null [ Sun Aug 19, 2007 12:56 pm ]
Post subject:  RE:Get into Waterloo?
Well, I went to visit Waterloo last week and I did the general campus tour. I liked what I saw. I'll probably also do a tour of the engineering faculty in September (I'm looking at electrical). Smile

I finished grade 11 with an 88% and I'd like to finish grade 12 with about a 92% so we'll see what happens. I can only hope for the best.
Author:  Martin [ Sun Aug 19, 2007 3:55 pm ]
Post subject:  RE:Get into Waterloo?
Got into CS with a 76% average. Go me.

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