As most people might know, the University of Waterloo offers the most competitive Computer Science in Canada. This feature might explain the extreme difficulty in being accepted into the program. In fact, the acceptance rate for the cycle of 2020 was 4.3 %. In this article, you will be introduced to a few tips that will help you stand out in the extremely competitive applicant pool.
Written by Diya Raj Nair
Introduction
Let’s start off with the most obvious one, obtaining a high average. Every successful applicant has an average between the low 90s to high 90s. The University of Waterloo gives very high importance to your averages, especially in English, Advanced Functions, and Calculus. Computer Science falls under the faculty of Mathematics, hence the importance of Mathematics related subjects.
Waterloo Contests
Participation in the mathematics and computer science-related contests conducted by the university will give you an added advantage in the applicant. That being said you do not have to earn a high score or get recognition for your score. Your participation shows the university that you take initiative to do something that is not part of the regular academic curriculum. It is highly recommended to do all of them if you can as it shows your interest and dedication to the university and its programs. In order to prepare for these contests, one can refer to their website named under CEMC wherein past contests and solutions and other practice resources are posted.
Extracurricular Activities
Another important part of the Waterloo application process is participation in any extracurricular activities. In this segment, quality is prioritized than quantity. The university is looking for an applicant who shows commitment to an organization or team. Acquiring a managerial or leadership during your time with the team is what they are really looking for in your application. This kind of involvement proves that you have created a big impact on the team. A beneficial tip in this section would be adding links to your GitHub, side projects, or websites. This will show the university your foundation in computer science and your dedication to excel and explore your knowledge in the field.
Additional Information Form
The computer science at Waterloo requires you to complete a supplementary application called AIF (Additional Information Form). Make sure to answer ALL the questions in this form. Some questions might be optional, but here’s the thing, it is NOT. Completing these optional questions shows initiative that multiple applicants might show. This additional step is not going to hurt your application in any way instead it is going to give the admissions committee more information about yourself and your passions. The best possible takeaway from this article is to spend a lot of time gathering your thoughts and expressing them in a cohesive, concise, and creative way. The AIF must essentially be the mirror reflection of your personality and passion for the program you are applying to. This is the only way for the admissions committee to know the real you, so get out there and paint a painting of you and not anyone who you think they want to see. Being authentic is the only way to success!
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