How to Get Into Engineering at Waterloo, U of T, and Top Canadian Universities
What averages do Canadian engineering programs really require?
Engineering admission averages in Canada are among the highest for any undergraduate route, and they have been rising steadily for about ten years. The table below shows the competitive averages that Waterloo and McGill publish for their engineering programs. They are not cut-offs, and both schools say the range moves from year to year:
| Program | Published competitive average |
|---|---|
| Waterloo Software Engineering | Low to mid-90s |
| Waterloo Electrical Engineering | Low to mid-90s |
| Waterloo Computer Engineering | High 80s to low 90s |
| Waterloo Mechanical Engineering | High 80s to low 90s |
| Waterloo Civil Engineering | Mid to high 80s |
| McGill Software Engineering (Top 6 average, Ontario applicants) | Low to mid-90s |
| McGill Electrical or Mechanical Engineering (Top 6 average) | Mid to high 90s |
| McGill Civil Engineering (Top 6 average) | Low to mid-90s |
U of T, UBC and Queen's do not publish a single average for each engineering program, and U of T Engineering Science is among the most competitive streams in the country, so check each school's admissions page and its latest reports. Treat all of these as competitive ranges, not promises. A student with 94% applying to Waterloo Software Engineering is within range but not safe. Strong grades are required, yet they do not decide the outcome alone.
Why does the Waterloo AIF carry as much weight as your grades?
The Waterloo Admission Information Form (AIF) is a short online questionnaire, required of all engineering applicants, that shows the admissions committee more about an applicant than a transcript can. Waterloo also asks most engineering applicants to complete a short online video interview. Experienced educators who have coached students through the AIF say it can push a borderline application either way.
The form covers extracurriculars, jobs, awards and short written answers such as why you chose Waterloo. Specific achievements that can be verified count for the most. Activities that point to engineering aptitude include:
- FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC or FTC): shows hands-on design, teamwork and the ability to improve a design under pressure
- Canadian Computing Competition (CCC): strong Senior Division scores show the algorithmic thinking that Software and ECE programs value
- Math contests (AMC, CEMC, Euclid): set students apart for programs where first-year calculus and linear algebra act as gatekeepers
- Personal projects: a GitHub repository with real code, a circuit you built yourself or a documented design project says more than a general interest in technology
Taking part in student council or sports does no harm, but it rarely sets an applicant apart. Students who earn high AIF scores are precise about what they built, coded, competed in or contributed.
How does U of T's supplementary application compare with the AIF?
U of T Engineering requires a Supplementary Application from every engineering applicant, including those applying to Engineering Science, Computer Engineering and Electrical Engineering. Besides an activities section, it includes a timed personal profile of three video questions, which shows how a student reasons and what motivates them. Without a completed supplementary application, an application will not be considered.
Engineering Science feeds specialist programs in Machine Intelligence, Robotics and Aerospace, and it draws more applications than any other engineering stream at U of T. Admitted EngSci students have very high averages, and their supplementary answers go beyond listing activities to analyze what they learned from them.
How are IB and AP grades treated compared with the Ontario curriculum?
Canadian universities have conversion policies for international and non-Ontario programs, though the details matter. Educators who work with IB Diploma students at private schools point out the following:
- A 7 in IB Math Analysis and Approaches HL is generally seen as strong evidence of readiness for first-year math, though how IB grades convert to an admission average differs by school
- IB predicted grades are used for early consideration, but final offers at Waterloo and U of T are normally conditional on final IB results
- AP Calculus BC and AP Physics C are recognized and can sometimes meet first-year prerequisites, though this depends on the program
- Applicants from Quebec CEGEPs who apply from outside Ontario are assessed on a separate grid at most schools
Because these policies change from time to time, families should check conversion rules and each school's deadlines with its admissions office directly. For Ontario universities, the OUAC deadline for the 2027 entry cycle is January 15, 2027.
When should a student begin building an engineering application?
Honestly, in Grade 10, although Grade 11 is not too late. The activities that count most on an AIF or supplementary application, like several years on a robotics team or a long-running personal project, take time to develop. A student who joins FIRST Robotics in Grade 10 will have two full competitive seasons to show growth and leadership by the time applications are due.
Grade 11 is the key year for academic standing. Most Canadian universities calculate admission averages from Grade 12 courses, but a strong Grade 11 record makes the Grade 12 path easier. Students who struggle in Grade 11 math or science and then try to improve sharply in Grade 12 are at a disadvantage in a competitive applicant pool.
A well-organized engineering admissions plan usually includes these steps: choosing target programs by Grade 10, picking math or computing contests that fit what those programs look for, building an honest extracurricular profile rather than an inflated one, and starting AIF drafts in the summer before Grade 12.
If your child is aiming for a competitive engineering program and you want a realistic year-by-year plan, book a free consultation with Bosen Academics. You can also look at our tutoring subjects to see how we support students in math, physics and contest preparation.
Frequently asked questions
Does Waterloo count all Grade 12 courses or just the top six?
Waterloo requires Grade 12 English, Advanced Functions, Calculus and Vectors, Chemistry and Physics for most engineering programs, plus six 4U or 4M courses in all for Ontario applicants, with at least 70% in each required course. Waterloo does not publish a cut-off, so confirm with the admissions office exactly which marks go into the average.
Can a strong AIF make up for a lower grade?
It can help a borderline application, but it cannot rescue a grade well below the competitive range. For Waterloo Software Engineering, an average well below the published low-to-mid-90s competitive range is unlikely to get an offer whatever the AIF says. Waterloo says a strong AIF can lead to admitting a student with a slightly lower average than another applicant, so the form matters most for students close to the competitive range.
Should a student apply to every engineering school at once?
Yes. Most students aiming at competitive programs apply to three to five schools, often some mix of Waterloo, U of T, McMaster, Queen's and UBC. Each has its own deadline and supplementary requirements, so managing the calendar in the fall of Grade 12 is important.
How does McGill Engineering compare with Waterloo for career outcomes?
Both have strong reputations and attract recruiters from major employers. Waterloo is especially known for its co-op program, which schedules six work terms and requires five, for up to two years of mostly paid work experience during the degree. McGill suits students who want a bilingual city and a strong research culture, so the best choice depends on the student's goals and target industry.
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