Grades, prerequisites, applications

Your grades may be calculated in different ways by different programs. This might include:

• a cumulative grade point average (GPA)

• grades for the last two years

• grades in your major grades in your last year of study

• grades in courses related to the program

How is GPA calculated?

Typically, institutions use either a 10-point or a 4-point scale. It is important to ask how your average will be converted. GPA measures how well and how consistently you perform. If you’d like to calculate your approximate GPA, use a calculator like whatsmygpa. Or if you are applying to programs in law, medicine or rehab sciences in Ontario, the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC) has GPA conversion charts published for each program.

What if I went on an academic exchange?

For an international or exchange term, the program may need a World Education Service (WES) conversion of your grades. The transcript evaluation process can take time and varies depending on the time of year. Begin the process early to ensure you can send converted transcripts before the application deadline.

How do I know which classes to take?

Programs may have a course equivalency table that lists which Waterloo courses meet the prerequisite course requirement. When an equivalency table isn’t available, you can:

• Compare the prerequisite content with your courses

• Consult individual program websites directly to identify any additional information

• Consider contacting the program to clarify any questions you may have

  • You can send a course description from the undergraduate calendar and course syllabus for the course(s) you are inquiring about

Many programs will not evaluate prerequisites until you have completed and paid for the application.

How do I know when my prerequisites will be offered?

Talk to the academic advisor for the course you want to take for more information on when it will be offered. If you’re not sure which academic advisor to connect with, identify what faculty the courses you want to take fall under and then connect with the department-specific advisor(s).

The Centre for Career Development cannot advise you about whether courses meet a program’s prerequisites. However, we can help you navigate program websites, find course equivalency lists and identify what staff to connect with at your prospective schools.

Personal statement

Programs might ask you to write a personal statement for your application. This is often a narrative portion of the application where you can directly communicate with the admissions committee. It could also be called a statement/letter of intent, a statement/letter of interest, an application essay, etc.

Programs might provide detailed guidance on the statement’s contents, sharing what information, questions or experiences they’d like you to address. Common topics you might address include:

• Academics - study habits, relevant knowledge and skills developed through coursework and research

• Lived experience - foundational values, experiences personal to you, work and volunteer experiences

• Other aspects - self-directed learning or work, independent project work and interpersonal skills

Programs might provide guidance on the document’s structure, such as:

• character, word or length limit

• whether you are required to upload a document or paste your response into a text box

Programs might provide minimal guidance and contacting the program directly could get you more information.

Résumé

Programs might ask you to submit a résumé as part of your application. They might provide detailed guidance on the contents of your résumé, including what information and experiences they’d like you to share. Common categories include:

• Key skills and competencies related to your prospective program or field

• Volunteer or paid experiences related to your prospective program or field

• Research projects and experiences

• Extracurricular experiences

Some programs might provide minimal guidance and contacting the program directly could get you more information.

Autobiographical sketch

Many professional school programs will have an Autobiographical Sketch (ABS) or sketch section of the résumé.

For a sketch you:

• categorize your experiences according to the application presets

• provide a brief description of the experience

• provide a verifier for each entry or someone who can confirm your involvement

Writing sample

Programs might require a writing sample from:

• a previous course you took

• an article you authored or co-authored

• an undergraduate honours thesis or master's thesis if applicable

• a discipline related to the program you’re applying for

If a program requires a writing sample but doesn’t give guidance on what type, contact the program directly to get more information.

Who do I ask for a reference?

• Someone you trust

• Someone who can offer thoughtful context

• Someone who meets the program requirements

How do I ask for a reference?

• Reach out in a way that’s comfortable for you

• Let them know why you’re connecting with them

• Share the deadline and how to submit the reference

• Share relevant application materials as you’re comfortable

When should I ask for a reference?

• Give your referees ample time, 1 month minimum is recommended

• Follow up with reminders before the deadline

How do I choose good experiences?

No set list applies to everyone. Choose things that you enjoy and want to spend time doing. Programs may:

• value the quality of your experience more than the quantity

• value experiences that show your engagement with your prospective profession

• value experiences that embody the professional competencies of the profession

When choosing how to spend your time, you could:

• identify any program-specific parameters and competencies or skills you may want to build

• accumulate experience with different patient populations

• work or volunteer in different contexts of the field

• shadow different practitioners or arrange informational interviews with individuals in your field

• pursue work-integrated learning experiences through EDGE, co-op placements or internships

• join career-specific student-run clubs for opportunities to make connections

What else do I need to know about experiences?

Some programs may ask you to: estimate the amount of time you spent engaged with your experiences, either in months or hours. Provide a verifier for the experience and space in the application to share context about the experience. You might consider tracking your experiences, including start and end dates, key accomplishments and contacts who can verify your participation in the experience, so this information is available to you at the time of application.

How do I study?

Do what works for you, not one practice works for everyone. Some have found success by:

• thinking about what works best for them and building a plan around that

• practicing with full-length tests to iterate their study plan

• creating their own study schedule and breaking down big topic areas

• studying with others, following along with a course

• getting a feel for the pace, timing and structure

When should I take the test?

Test readiness can vary from person to person. Engage in practice tests, familiarize yourself with the testing format, questions and time constraints and reflect on your experiences to help identify how prepared you feel for the test.

To identify an ideal test date for you, consider:

• the date your program(s) require a completed score

• if you require a testing accommodation and what the accommodation procedure involves

• if you want buffer space to reattempt the test

• other commitments outside of the test preparation

How can I request testing accommodation?

Testing accommodations may be available for the standardized admissions test you’re taking. Typically, testing accommodation(s) need to be requested before booking your test date and cannot be retroactively arranged.

To request a testing accommodation, you may need to:

1. indicate on the test application that you’re requesting an accommodation

2. complete a separate testing accommodations request form where you indicate the disability(ies) and requested for accommodation(s)

3. share supporting documentation

Specific information on the testing accommodation procedure for the test you’re writing can be found in the applicant guide, on the application portal and on the association or company website that administers the standardized exam.

How is my score used?

Admissions committees will use your score as one aspect to assess your candidacy for the program. Some programs assign minimum scores required on the test.

Some programs weigh the score alongside other application components. You may find more information on how your score is used on the program-specific website.

Can I write multiple times?

You might choose to write the test more than once if you aren’t confident with your score. To assess your candidacy, some programs will use your most recent attempt, some your highest attempt and some may consider all attempts. Consult the program-specific website for further details.

1. Learn more about: standardized admission tests.