Admission FAQs

General Admission FAQs for September Start-up

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

Yes!  If you are applying to the University of Guelph directly from high school, you will be considered for all programs to which you apply.

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 places available in the program as we move through the admission cycle.  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.  Review our admission plan to learn more about how we calculate your admission average, as well as timing of offers.   

How do I apply? 

Apply using the OUAC application available at the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC).  The application becomes available on September 21 and you will receive further instructions from your school.  

What is the deadline to apply? 

If you are a high-school-type applicant and wish to be considered for early admission, you should apply by January 15, 2024.   

If you are currently attending or have previously attended a college or university and are applying to transfer to the U of G, application deadlines vary by entry point. 

How do I submit my documents? 

If you are currently enrolled in an Ontario high school and are applying through the OUAC 101 application, your school will submit grade data directly to the OUAC on your behalf.  The deadline for grades to be submitted by your school to the OUAC is April 25, 2024. 

If you are currently enrolled in high school in a Canadian province or territory outside of Ontario, please have your guidance counsellor or school administrator forward official transcripts showing completed Grade 11 and 12 courses, and all in-progress Grade 12 courses, directly to Admission Services on your behalf.  All course and grade information must be sent to applicant@uoguelph.ca as soon as possible, but no later than April 15, 2024. 

British Columbia schools submit grade data electronically to the OUAC.  We will automatically receive grade data from the OUAC on an ongoing basis. 

All other high-school-type applicants using the OUAC 105 application must make arrangements to have official transcripts sent directly to Admission Services on their behalf by the document deadline.  An official transcript is one that is submitted in a sealed envelope from the originating institution and directly to Admission Services at the U of G. 

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

You will need to amend your OUAC application but make sure you do it by April 15, 2024 to be considered equally for admission to all programs. 

My school is following an alternative curriculum delivery structure (e.g. quadmesters, full-year courses).  Can I still be considered for admission, and how will you calculate my admission average? 

For the 2024 admission cycle we will use final Grade 11 U/M marks where mid-term or final Grade 12 U/M marks are not available to fulfill required courses.  Note: applicants applying to a program that requires two 4U Maths (e.g. Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Engineering), must present a midterm or final grade in at least one 4U Math course to be considered for admission. 

In order to fulfill conditions of an offer of admission, students will need to complete six Grade 12 and/or 4U/M courses, including required subjects.  Specific conditions will be outlined in your offer letter. 

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? 

OPTIONAL: 

All high school applicants are strongly encouraged to submit the Student Profile Form (SPF).  The 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’ve applied, your SPF will be considered if your average falls within a discretionary range of the final cutoff (up to 5%).  If you choose to submit the SPF it is due March 1, 2024.  The online form is made available in November. 

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 marks in determining admission.  If you choose to submit the SPF it is due March 1, 2024.  The online form is made available in November. 

MANDATORY: 

The following programs have mandatory supplementary documentation: 

• Bachelor of Landscape Architecture program 

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine 

• Diploma in Turfgrass Management 

When will I receive an admission decision? 

If you are currently enrolled full-time in an Ontario high school and you meet the minimum admission requirements, you will be considered for admission on an ongoing basis beginning in January.  Some offers may be extended in December to a limited number of programs.  In most cases, early offers will be sent to applicants whose admission average exceeds the estimated cut-offs.  Review our detailed admission plan. 

If you are not currently enrolled full-time in an Ontario high school, and you meet the minimum admission requirements, you will be considered for admission on an ongoing basis as soon as all required documentation is received.  All documents must be received no later than April 15, 2024. 

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

Will my offer of admission be conditional? 

If you are applying directly from secondary 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 letter 

All offer conditions will be clearly outlined in your offer letter. 

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: 

1. Not admitted to a co-op program?  You’ll automatically be considered for admission to the regular program. 

2. 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. 

3. If you don’t possess the admission average for Bachelor of Arts, Honours Psychology, we’ll automatically consider you for BA, Honours Sociology. 

4. 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 here: https://admission.uoguelph.ca/alternateoffers 

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.