Tips for an easier university application process

By Kristin Corrall, University of Waterloo, co-op student

You’re ready to begin applying to university and even have a few schools in mind.

You’ve read viewbooks from different schools and visited websites. But before you start, you will need to narrow your search.

How do you narrow your top choices to 4 or 5? Focus on your academic interests and how they translate into a concrete field(s) of study.

You can then research which schools offer the programs that you’re looking for.

Next, it’s best to find the prerequisites for your program(s) of interest, and the overall admission requirements for your main choices. Remember to plan your final year of high school accordingly, but don’t worry if you need to take some prerequisites in your 2nd semester. Universities still consider these courses. Check overall average requirements, and research schools’ policies on dropped courses, failed courses, and/or retaken courses.

Most universities, including Waterloo, have an Admission Information Form or application essay. Remember that universities will be checking not only for content, but also how well you write. Make sure to not only keep grammar, spelling, and tone in mind as you’re writing, but also what makes you unique compared to other applicants.

Some schools/programs might also require a portfolio to go along with your application package. You could include any work experiences, extra-curricular activities, or volunteer hours along with this.

Applying to university might be a big step, but you can make it an easy one by focusing on certain areas to help narrow your search.