University of Waterloo

I am studying Software Engineering at Waterloo.

This is the main page where you can find more information: https://uwaterloo.ca/future-students/programs/software-engineering

This is the entire curriculum (if you are interested): http://ugradcalendar.uwaterloo.ca/page/ENG-Software-Engineering

Blogs to read on SE:

• https://www.geoffreyyu.com/blog/2018/08/06/software-engineering-at-waterloo
• https://medium.com/uwaterloo-voice/my-first-year-of-waterloo-software-engineering-18e4119c399f

Prof Bishop’s wisdom:

• https://theroadtoengineering.com/

How to get into your first engineering choice at Waterloo:

I’ve volunteered at the 2022 Open House for Software Engineering. I’ve noticed that most people come at us asking the grades I need to get in or the extracurricular that might give them the biggest chance of getting into SE. Unfortunately, I have no right answer as every applicant is different. The other question widely asked question was SE vs CS and SE vs CE $\to$ CE.

But for engineering, the admission average is of $85\%$, with no grades lower than $70\%$. The engineering program at the University of Waterloo is grouped as follows:

• OSS Tier 1: Biomedical and Software
• OSS Tier 2: Computer, Electrical, Mechanical, Mechatronics and Systems Design
• OSS tier 3: Architectural, Chemical, Civil, Environmental, Geological, Management, and Nanotechnology The admission averages are shown prior to the application of adjustments.

So I’ve told the grade 11/12 that came to me that, to maximize their chance of getting into SE, make sure to aim for $95\%+$, since fewer applicants with averages in the $85\%$ to $90\%$ range are receiving offers of admission. But the problem I’ve noticed is that a lot of applicants are already applying to Engineering at Waterloo with averages of $98\%$ or greater. As of extracurriculars, make sure to show your accomplishments and aspirations in the AIF. Don’t try to copy others and make sure to showcase through the AIF who you are as a person.

PS: Make sure to do the video interview. When I was applying, I saw that it was optional component for the admission process, so I didn’t. But it is not. If you want to maximize your chances, DO IT.

PSS: Start your application early. Don’t wait for the last few days to start and rush like I did. Ask profs, parents, upper year friends to review your AIF and edit as you go.

Consult Bishop’s blog for more detail and https://scholartree.ca/blog/how-to-get-into-waterloo-engineering for general engineering admissions criteria.

Admission Averages: https://uwaterloo.ca/engineering/undergraduate-students/application-process/admission-averages

Random stuff

• I post some of my class notes, you can find them here Courses (Didn’t really start taking notes until 2B)