Admission FAQs

Updated as of February 23, 2024

How do I apply? 

To apply to an undergraduate program at an Ontario university, you must use the Undergraduate Application through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC).


Can I apply to more than one program at the University of Guelph? 

You can apply to a maximum of three programs at the University of Guelph.  You will receive an admission decision for each program you apply to.


How do I apply to Co-op?

If you’re interested in co-op, you need to select the co-op option on your OUAC application.  If you apply to co-op and are not admitted, you will be considered for the regular program.


What is the deadline to apply? 

The published application deadline is a soft deadline. We will continue to accept applications until April 15th, with the exception of BLA as the application deadline was March 1st. All students who apply by April 15th will receive full and equal consideration throughout the remainder of the admission cycle.


What if I want to change the program I applied to? 

You can make changes to your OUAC application until April 15.


How do I get my University of Guelph student number?

After we receive your application from the OUAC, you’ll receive an acknowledgment e-mail within 5 business days. This e-mail will include your seven-digit U of G student ID.  If you don’t receive the e-mail, be sure to check all of your e-mail folders including junk, spam and promotions folders. 

If you still can’t find the e-mail, you can contact Admission Services at admission@uoguelph.ca to request that it be resent. Please include your OUAC reference number.


What are the cut-offs? 

Estimated cut-off ranges vary by program.  The "estimated range" is based on the admission averages from previous years and is meant to be used as a guide. Exact cut-offs for the current cycle will be determined by the quantity and quality of applications received and the number of spaces available in the program.  Co-op averages normally exceed the estimated cut-off ranges.  Having an admission average within the estimated range does not guarantee an offer of admission.  


How do you calculate my admission average? 

Admission requirements vary by program.  We use your top six completed 4U/M (or equivalent) courses, including required subjects to calculate your admission average. Where not available, we use a combination of the top six completed or in-progress 4U/M and completed 3U/M courses, including required subjects.  Review our admission plan to learn more about how we calculate your admission average throughout the admission cycle.   


How do I submit my official documents? 

Please have your school forward official transcripts showing completed Grade 11 and 12 courses, and all in-progress Grade 12 courses.  All course and grade information must be sent to Admission Services at applicant@uoguelph.ca by April 15, 2024.  Earlier submission is recommended. 

Notes:  

  • Ontario and British Columbia schools submit grade data electronically to the OUAC.  We will automatically receive grade data from the OUAC on an ongoing basis. 
  • In order for us to consider a transcript ‘official’, we must receive it directly from the issuing institution. 

Can I submit documents through the OUAC Document Upload?

We will accept admission-specific unofficial documents through the OUAC Document Upload. Documents accepted vary by applicant type.  For additional details and to view documents currently accepted, please visit the OUAC website.

Do not upload document types that do not apply to your application.


What if I repeat high school courses? 

We use the highest grade reported for all courses completed at Ministry inspected schools. 


Are there any Supplemental Application Forms I need to submit? 

OPTIONAL: 

  • The Student Profile Form (SPF) is your opportunity to tell Admission Services about activities in which you have been involved that have helped you develop leadership and citizenship qualities.  Factors beyond your control that have negatively affected your academic performance, such as illness or extenuating circumstances, will also be considered. 
    • If your admission average in May does not meet the cut-off for the program(s) to which you applied, your SPF may be considered if your average falls within a discretionary range of the final cutoff (up to 5%). 
  • If you believe that your admission average does not reflect your true academic ability as a result of a disability, you are also encouraged to complete the Supplementary Information Form for Students with Disabilities (SIF-D).  This form is considered along with your admission average in determining admission. You are encouraged to contact Student Accessibility Services as early as possible to discuss your needs and academic background. 

MANDATORY: 

The following programs have mandatory supplementary documentation

  • Associate Diploma in Turfgrass Management 
  • Bachelor of Landscape Architecture program 
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine 

When will I receive an admission decision? 

If you are currently enrolled in an Ontario high school, review our detailed admission plan for more information about timing of offers.

If you are not currently enrolled in an Ontario high school, you will be considered for admission on an ongoing basis as soon as all required documentation is received. 

All high school applicants who submit their application by January 15th can expect to receive an admission decision by May 29, 2024.


How can I check the status of my application?

If you’re currently enrolled in an Ontario high school, you can monitor the status of your application through your OUAC account.  If you are admitted, you will also receive your offer via e-mail.

If you are not currently enrolled in an Ontario high school, you can monitor the status of your application through your OUAC and WebAdvisor accounts.  If you are admitted, you will also receive your offer via e-mail.


Will my offer of admission be conditional? 

If you are applying directly from high school, any offer of admission that you receive from the University of Guelph is conditional upon the following: 

  • Completion of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), or equivalent; and 
  • Completion of six Grade 12 and/or 4U/M courses, including required subjects, or equivalent; and 
  • A minimum final average as outlined in your offer.  

All offer conditions will be clearly outlined in your offer. 


Does the University of Guelph require English language test scores? 

You will be required to present evidence of English language proficiency if: 

  • your primary or first language is not English, and 
  • you have completed less than four years of full-time secondary or post-secondary school study demonstrating satisfactory academic progress in an English language school system. 

The University reserves the right to deny admission to you if you do not demonstrate satisfactory facility in English, regardless of academic qualifications. 

Review acceptable English Proficiency tests and required results. 


What if I’m not admissible to the program to which I apply? 

There are a few programs where we will automatically consider you for an alternate program.  These include: 

  • Not admitted to a co-op program?  You’ll automatically be considered for admission to the regular program. 
  • If you don’t possess the admission average for Bachelor of Arts, Criminal Justice and Public Policy, we’ll automatically consider you for BA, Justice and Legal Studies. 
  • If you don’t possess the admission average for Bachelor of Arts, Honours Psychology, we’ll automatically consider you for BA, Honours Sociology. 
  • If you don’t possess the admission average for Bachelor of Science, Animal Biology or Bio-Medical Science, we’ll automatically consider you for B.Sc. Biological Science. 

You can find more information about alternate offers on our website.


How do I accept my offer?

You must accept your offer through the OUAC by June 3rd, or as otherwise noted in your offer of admission.  You are encouraged to take your time and follow the OUAC instructions as you move through the acceptance process.  For support and assistance, please view this OUAC tutorial.


What if I’m not admitted to Co-op?

If you applied to Co-op, you will automatically be considered for the regular stream of the program you applied to.  If you are admitted to the regular stream, you can accept your offer of admission knowing that we will continue to consider your application for Co-op in subsequent rounds of offers (until May).  If, at that point in time, we are still unable to offer you admission to Co-op and you accept your offer to the regular stream of the program, you will have another opportunity to apply for Co-op when you are in your first year of studies at Guelph.  Contact Co-operative Education & Career Services for more information. 


I’ve received an alternate offer.  What does this mean?

If you’ve received an alternate offer of admission, it means that with the grade information we have to date, we’re not able to offer you admission to your first choice program. We will continue to consider you for admission to your first-choice program through all rounds of offers (they continue until May!).


I’ve been admitted to more than one program at the University of Guelph.  Can I accept multiple offers?

You can only select one offer of admission.  If you have received multiple offers of admission but aren’t sure which offer you want to accept, you’re encouraged to take your time and gather the information you need to help you make an informed decision.  Remember, you have until June 3rd to accept your offer!


I have one offer of admission but I’m waiting for decisions on other programs at the U of G.  What should I do?

If you receive an offer of admission to one or more programs but have also applied to other programs at the U of G, you can choose to accept an offer at anytime.  We will continue to consider you for admission to all other program choices through each round of offers (until May).  If you are admitted to another program in a subsequent round of offers, you can still accept that offer.  Please note that by accepting a new offer of admission, you will be declining your original offer (e.g. your first acceptance to the University of Guelph becomes void).


How do I defer my admission?

If you were admitted to the University of Guelph directly from high school, you can apply to defer your offer of admission for one academic year.  Deferrals are typically for the fall semester only and will be considered for all programs except for BLA.

To be considered for a deferral you must:

  • accept your offer of admission on OUAC by the June 3rd deadline (or as otherwise instructed in your offer letter);

  • meet all conditions outlined in your original offer of admission by the date specified in your offer letter;

  • submit the deferral application by July 31, 2024

  • not attend any other post-secondary institution during the deferral period. You may complete additional high school courses.

Visit our website for more information.


Why haven’t I received an offer of admission? My grades are higher than the estimated cut-off range.

The "estimated range" is based on the admission averages from previous years and is provided solely as a point of reference. Throughout the admission cycle, admission averages change with each round of offers and are determined by the quantity and quality of applicants, as well as space availability within each program.

During our third round of offers (in May), we will also consider your Student Profile Form if you submitted one.  If you haven’t received an offer yet, we strongly recommend that you submit the SPF before March 1st.


 I received an offer of admission but didn't get an entrance scholarship. Will my final grades be considered for entrance scholarship eligibilty?

Whether a scholarship is awarded with an offer of admission or not, all eligible students will be reconsidered in May and August and have the opportunity to qualify or better their award. You will be notified of changes to scholarship eligibility by Student Financial Services.