IV--Admission Information

Application Procedures

Associate Diploma and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine procedures are outlined in the previous section "Admission Requirements". All other undergraduate degree programs follow the procedural chart below.

All procedures are applicable to both full and part-time applicants. Applicants for part-time study are considered on the same basis as full-time applicants, and therefore must meet the published admission requirements for the program desired.

Choices: The 101 and 105 application forms permit students to make three choices of university and program. Applicants wishing more than three choices may request an Additional Choice Form directly from the Ontario Universities Application Centre. Please note that applicants are limited to three program choices at any one university.

Applicants from Ontario Currently Enrolled in Secondary School

See information on "Admission Requirements" for specific Year 5 or OAC requirements for the various programs.

Ontario Universities' Application Centre 101 Form

The OUAC 101 form may be used by all applicants who are currently enrolled in an Ontario Secondary School as a day school student. The 101's are distributed to students by the secondary schools during the Fall term. Applicants who apply to more than one program at the University of Guelph will have their highest choice program considered first. Only in the event that a student is ineligible for admission to the highest choice program will consideration be given to the second or third choice program.

Students who apply directly to a Co-op program and who are not admitted, will be considered for the regular degree program.

Applicants to the University are requested, where possible, to indicate on the application form their subject of primary interest. In many cases the program code to be inserted on the form will include the subject of primary interest. It should be noted that an offer of admission applies to both the degree program and to the major area of study specified in the offer. Because enrolment in certain courses is limited by the availability of resources, the University cannot guarantee that all students wishing to take a particular specialization will be accommodated.

The Application Centre will acknowledge receipt of the application form to the applicant by means of the Verification/Amendment form (OUAC 103).

Amendments to the Application Form

A student who has applied via the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) will receive a Verification/Amendment form (OUAC 103 form), as soon as the Application Centre has processed the application. This form may be used to make biographical and academic status changes to the original application. If any revisions to the application are made, the University of Guelph will be notified of the applicable changes approximately one week after the OUAC receives the amendment form. Although all amendments are important to the processing of each application, changes to academic program choice, entry points, residence status, surname, mailing and home addresses are of significant importance and should be reported via an OUAC 103 form as soon as the situation arises. Amendments must be received by the published application deadline dates.

Applicants from Ontario Secondary Schools not Currently Enrolled in Day School

Applicants who are not currently enrolled in an Ontario secondary school as a day school student should use the OUAC 105 application form. This includes the following types of applicants: adult, night school, correspondence, those who previously obtained the Secondary School Honour Graduation Diploma or the Ontario Secondary School Diploma.

Applicants who apply to more than one program at the University of Guelph will have their highest choice program considered first. Only in the event that a student is ineligible for admission to the highest choice program will consideration be given to the second or third choice program. Students who apply directly to a Co-op program and who are not admitted, will be considered for the regular degree program.

Many students may wish to present additional information for consideration by the Committee on Admissions. This may be information pertaining to their academic background, employment data, reasons for requesting admission or proposed program of study. This information should be submitted directly to Admission Services, Office of Registrarial Services, Level 3, University Centre, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1. If there is no additional information submitted, the decision of the Admissions Committee will be based strictly on academic performance as indicated on all official transcripts submitted.

All applicants should use the Ontario Universities' Application Centre 105 form. A 105 application form may be obtained from any Ontario university. Written requests for application forms from the University of Guelph should be directed to Admission Services, Office of Registrarial Services, Level 3, University Centre, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1. Telephone requests may be directed to (519) 821-2130.

1. Applicants from outside Ontario

   Applicants who are seeking admission to the first semester of a program leading to a bachelor's degree and whose preparation to enter the University has been done outside the Ontario secondary school system, must have achieved, as a minimum requirement, academic standing equivalent to Ontario students and must satisfy in full the subject requirements for the program desired as listed for Ontario applicants.

   1. Other Provinces and Territories of Canada

      Alberta, British Columbia, Labrador, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan, Yukon--Grade 12. Quebec--Senior High School Leaving Certificate or High School Leaving Certificate plus 12 academic credits from an appropriate CEGEP program.

   2. United States of America

      Students wishing consideration are required to have an official transcript of their high school grades sent directly to Admission Services by the issuing authority. SAT results will also be taken into consideration.

   3. United Kingdom and Commonwealth

      General Certificate of Education (U.K. Examining Board), The Cambridge Overseas or Higher School Certificates showing:

      1. passes in five subjects, at least two of which must be Advanced Level (G.C.E.) or Principal Level (C.O.H.S.C.), or
      2. passes in four subjects of which at least three must be at Advanced Level (G.C.E) or Principal Level (C.O.H.S.C.).

      Credits on the School Certificate or subsidiary passes on the Higher School Certificate of recognized examining bodies will be accepted as equivalent to Ordinary level passes on the G.C.E. and Principal or Main passes on the Higher School Certificate as equivalent to Advanced level passes on the G.C.E.

      Applicants for the various degree programs should present Advanced Level or Principal Level standing in those subjects specified for applicants from Ontario Secondary Schools.

      Please refer to the Note below.

   4. Hong Kong

      Only the following certificates are recognized:

      1. The General Certificate of Education or equivalent certificates as indicated above;
      2. The University of Hong Kong Matriculation Certificate on the same basis as the G.C.E.;
      3. The Hong Kong English School Certificate issued after 1964 is recognized as being equivalent to the G.C.E. at Ordinary Level only. This certificate issued prior to 1965 is not recognized.

   5. Other Countries

      The secondary school graduation certificate which admits to university in another country is normally acceptable, provided that it is the equivalent of admission requirements for the University of Guelph.

   NOTE: Possession of these minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. Required levels of academic preparation may vary according to the jurisdiction or country in which course work was completed. Applicants are encouraged to contact Admission Services prior to formal application in order to obtain specific information on admission requirements. They are strongly advised to provide detailed information on their particular situation.

2. Applicants from Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology

   The University considers applications for admission from students of the Ontario Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology for admission on the following basis: Graduates of an appropriate two year program, or students who have completed the first two years of an appropriate three year program may be considered for admission.

   (Also see Procedure D, Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology for information on transfer of credit.)

3. Applicants for Admission as Mature Students

   Statement of the Regulation

   Applicants who do not possess the published minimum requirements for admission consideration may be considered for admission to degree programs if, prior to their proposed date of enrolment, they

   1. will have attained at least the full age of twenty one years;
   2. will have been out of secondary school for at least two years.

   In addition, applicants must meet specific subject requirements as outlined below for the degree programs to which they have applied.

   General Studies

   All applicants must be Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents.

   Applicants will normally

   1. not have previously registered at a university
   2. have completed Ontario grade 12 or equivalent and
   3. have been out of secondary school for 5 years.

   Applicants must submit a background information sheet which will provide their intended study objectives, including courses and program. The University, via the General Studies Admissions Committee, reserves the right to grant or deny admission to a candidate based on the appropriateness of the applicant's submissions.

   B.A. Program

   Students who meet the requirements to be considered for admission as mature applicants must have standing in 3 OAC's including OAC English 1, another OAC from a selected group containing a writing component (e.g. History, Law, Literature) and one other OAC course.

   Mature Students who do not possess the minimum requirements for direct admission to the degree program must successfully complete a minimum of 4 courses in the General Studies program before applying to transfer to the B.A. program.

   B.Sc., B.Sc.(Agr.), B.Sc.(Eng.), B.Sc.(Env.), B.A.Sc. and B.L.A

   Applicants for any of these programs who satisfy conditions a) and b) outlined in the "Statement of the Regulation" and wish to be considered for admission under the Mature Student Regulation must have obtained standing in the specific OAC level subjects or equivalent which are required of regular applicants for these programs.

   B.Comm. Program.

   Applicants who satisfy conditions a) and b) outlined in the "Statement of the Regulation" and wish to be considered for admission under the Mature Student Regulation must have obtained standing in OAC English 1, OAC Mathematics and one additional OAC course. Those applying to Agricultural Business, Housing and Real Estate Management, Management Economics in Industry and Finance and Marketing Management should present OAC Calculus as the Mathematics. Applicants will be required to submit a letter, for consideration by the Admissions Committee, in which they outline their academic goals.

   General Notes and Recommendations:

   Students applying under the Mature Student Regulation must submit official transcripts of any previous post-secondary work undertaken. This academic record will be considered by the Admissions Committee in reaching an admission decision. The minimum average required for admission consideration will normally be that required for regular admission from secondary school.

   Applicants to the General Studies program who wish to eventually transfer to a degree program should contact Admission Services, Office of Registrarial Services for specific internal transfer admission requirements. These requirements may vary with the degree program for which transfer is sought.

Procedure D

Applicants who are not currently enrolled in an Ontario secondary school as a day school student should use the OUAC 105 application form. A 105 application form may be obtained from any Ontario university. Written requests for application forms from the University of Guelph should be directed to Admission Services, Office of Registrarial Services, Level 3, University Centre, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1. Telephone requests may be directed to (519) 821-2130.

1. Advanced Standing Applicants from a recognized University or College in Canada

   Applicants for admission to the University of Guelph transferring from an accredited university or college are normally subject to the following admission policy.

   1. Applicants must have completed the Ontario Secondary School Diploma including 6 Ontario Academic Course credits or equivalent for admission to the University of Guelph prior to the commencement of the academic session for which application is made.
   2. Applicants must be eligible for readmission and registration on a full-time basis at the last university or college attended in the academic session for which application is made. Applicants whose academic records at another university have rendered them ineligible to continue study at that university will be considered for admission only when the stipulated period of rustication has expired.
   3. Students registered in a preliminary year or first year at a recognized university or junior college to which students are admitted without having completed the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (including 6 OAC's) or the equivalent are eligible to apply for admission to first year at this University provided that their first or preliminary year program includes subjects equivalent to those Ontario Academic Course credits required for admission to each program. Credit towards graduation from the University of Guelph is not normally granted for work taken in the first year of the university program which does not require completion of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (including 6 OAC's) or equivalent for admission.
   4. Admission of students transferring from another university or college is not automatic. All such applicants will be assessed in competition with other new applicants, taking into consideration the academic requirements and enrolment limitations which pertain at the time the application is complete.
   5. The University of Guelph subscribes to the following General Policy on the Transfer of Course Credits, as adopted by the Council of Ontario Universities: Acceptance of transfer credits among Ontario Universities shall be based on the recognition that, while learning experiences may differ in a variety of ways, their substance may be essentially equivalent in terms of their content and rigor. Upon admission, and insofar as possible, acceptance of transfer credit should allow for the maximum recognition of previous learning experience in passed university-level courses.

      Subject to the degree and specialization to which the applicant is admitted, and to grade and program requirements, any course offered for credit by another Ontario university shall be accepted for credit when there is an essential equivalency in course content.

   6. In addition, the University of Guelph supports the intent of the Pan-American Protocol on the Transferability of University Credits to develop consistent, fair and efficient systems to facilitate student mobility and program completion. In consideration of the principles of the Protocol, the University of Guelph undertakes to ensure that all course work completed by transfer students in the first two years of university study in Canada (including the final year leading to a diploma of college studies (DCS) in Quebec and the transfer courses offered by community colleges in British Columbia and Alberta) are recognized and, subject to degree, grade and program requirements are credited for the purpose of granting a degree provided that:
      1. the applicant is deemed admissible and has been offered admission
      2. a passing grade has been achieved in each course to be transferred and the grade is at the level that normally would be required of students at the University of Guelph and
      3. the credits earned are related to the program of study in which the transfer student will register, or the credits can be counted as electives in the program of study.

   7. Transfer credit for courses completed at Ryerson Polytechnic University will be granted on an individual basis and will be dependent upon the type of program in which the applicant was enrolled (i.e. degree or diploma) and the year in which the applicant was enrolled.
   8. Candidates from a non-Ontario university or college applying for advanced standing must submit, with the application, detailed course descriptions, or a calendar of the institution in which they studied. The provision of such information will greatly facilitate the evaluation of previous work and the consideration of possible transfer of credits. The amount of transfer credit granted is at the discretion of the Registrar and the Dean of the College concerned.

      Note: Where necessary, the grades from other universities or colleges whose marking schemes differ from those of this University shall be translated into the equivalent grades of the University of Guelph and admissibility assessed in those terms. Applicants for transfer, for whom English is a second language, must submit with their application, evidence acceptable to this University of Proficiency in English (see section on Proficiency in English).

   9. Applicants who have been required to withdraw from the University of Guelph or another post-secondary institution and who pass university credit courses during the period of rustication, may be eligible for up to [1.00] credit (1 full year course) provided the criteria for admission or readmission and transfer of credit are met. If university credit courses are successfully completed after the rustication period, transfer credit may be granted for all courses provided the criteria for admission or readmission and transfer of credit are met. Applicants who have been debarred for academic misconduct will not receive credit for courses taken during the debarment.
   10. Applicants should contact Admission Services regarding specific transfer credit.

       The application of these transfer credits will vary depending on the degree and specialization. The applicant must satisfy degree graduation requirements and residency requirements as outlined in Section VIII--Undergraduate Degree Regulations and Procedures.

       Specific graduation requirements will be determined in consultation with the program counsellor and departmental advisor.

       Applicants will be informed of the amount of advanced standing credit granted when they receive the offer of admission. Acceptance by the student of the offer of admission shall imply the student's agreement to the advanced standing credit granted.

2. Applicants from Universities Outside of Canada

   The amount of credit granted will be dependent upon the institution and upon the educational system. The University of Guelph does not grant advanced standing for work experience or for involvement in programs such as the World Youth Organization.

3. Advanced Standing Applications from a Recognized Community College or Other Post-Secondary Institution

   The University of Guelph will also consider the granting of advanced standing for studies completed in certain post-secondary institutions. Included in this category are:

   Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology

   Graduates from appropriate programs may be considered for admission with advanced standing in accordance with the following policy:

   1. Transfer credits are determined by the Admissions Committee of the program to which the student is admitted, and in accordance with any existing articulation agreement with the CAAT in question. Please refer to the information at the beginning of Section IV on Articulation Agreements.
   2. Transfer credits will be based on courses completed at a CAAT with a grade of 'B' or better, where those courses are deemed appropriate to the program to which the student is admitted at this University.
   3. Up to [15.00] credits may be granted to students from a three-year diploma program, and up to [6.00] credits may be granted to students from a two-year diploma program. The granting of additional transfer credits would be considered in the case of graduates from a one-year post-diploma program.
   4. Should a student transfer to a different program after admission to the University of Guelph, credits assigned upon admission will be re-assessed where deemed appropriate by the Admissions Committee of the program.

   Colleges of Agricultural Technology (Ontario)

   Graduates of the 2-year Associate Diploma programs or other 2-year programs offered by the Colleges of Agricultural Technology may receive up to [3.00] transfer credits upon admission to a degree program. Graduates admitted to the Bachelor of Science (Agriculture) program may be eligible for additional transfer credit.

   Ontario College of Art

   In recognition of the equivalence of many of the courses in the program of the Ontario College of Art, the University wishes to encourage qualified students of OCA to complement their education there by studying at the University of Guelph and completing the requirements for a B.A. degree. Options available in Fine Art are listed in the B.A. schedule of studies. The portfolio requirement for entry into the Studio Art Honours Major is waived.

   If admitted to the University, students transferring from OCA may be granted advanced standing for course work completed at OCA according to the following schedule:

   • Completion of first year: up to [2.50] credits in Fine Art--[1.50] in Fine Art (Studio) and [1.00] in Art History
   • Completion of second year: up to [5.00] credits in Fine Art--[4.00] in Fine Art (Studio) and [1.00] in Art History
   • Completion of third year: up to [7.50] credits in Fine Art--[6.50] in Fine Art (Studio) and [1.00] in Art History
   • Completion of four-year Diploma: up to [10.00] credits in Fine Art--[9.00] in Fine Art (Studio) and [1.00] in Art History.

   Students are warned that even if they are given advance standing in [10.00] credits, it is extremely unlikely that they will be able to complete the B.A. program requirements within two semesters. Please note that OCA graduates may take a maximum of 4 semester courses in Fine Art (Studio) at Guelph.

   If an offer of admission is granted, advanced standing will be determined based on assessment of the OCA transcript by the School of Fine Art and Music. Credit will be granted only for studies completed while registered at OCA. Please note that this transfer credit arrangement applies only to the B.A. program.

   Any applicant who has completed academic studies at a post-secondary institution other than OCA must supply a transcript to Admission Services. All previous post-secondary work will be considered in determining eligibility for admission and granting transfer credit. Students currently enrolled at OCA who are interested in working towards a B.A. concurrently may apply for admission and pursue their studies in the Spring Semester.

   Please contact Admission Services, Office of Registrarial Services, Level 3, University Centre, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1 for additional information

   CEGEPS - Province of Quebec

   1. Applicants who present the Diplôme des Etudes Collegiales may be eligible for advanced standing, to a maximum of ten semester courses.
   2. For more specific information candidates may write to Admission Services, Office of the Registrarial Services, University of Guelph, and request the Admission Guide for CEGEP Students

Procedure E

Applicants for Post Degree and Letter of Permission

A university graduate who wishes to enrol in degree courses to upgrade their degree or to gain credit for admission to a graduate or other academic program should apply to the appropriate degree program. Applicants must hold a degree which is recognized as equivalent to a Canadian university's undergraduate or graduate degree. A student from another university wishing to register at the University of Guelph to take courses for credit at the home university, must present a Letter of Permission from the Registrar, Dean or program supervisor of the home institution authorizing a program selection. Official university transcripts must also be presented.

All post degree and Letter of Permission applicants will be required to complete a statement of intent and submit it to Admission Services.

This category is not normally open to applicants who do not meet University of Guelph general regulations for continuation of study outlined under Continuation of Study, Undergraduate Degree Regulations, Section VIII of the "Undergraduate Calendar" and transfer requirements .

Candidates applying for admission should use an Ontario Universities' Application Centre 105 application form if they have not previously registered at the University of Guelph. Applicants who have previously registered at this institution should contact Admission Services for the appropriate application form.

Applicants are considered as 'Advanced Standing' and thereby eligible for admission consideration to the entry points listed below if they will receive [2.00] or more semester transfer credits upon admission.

Applicants to the University are requested, where possible, to indicate on the Ontario Universities' Application Centre form their subject of primary interest. In many cases the program code to be inserted on the application form will include the subject of primary interest as outlined in the following table. It should be noted that an offer of admission applies to both the degree program and to the major area of study specified in the offer.

Because enrolment in certain courses is limited by the availability of resources, the University cannot guarantee that all students wishing to take a particular specialization will be accommodated.

Applicants wishing to enrol in courses offered in the distance only mode for personal interest or for professional development should contact the Office of Open Learning for further information and to obtain the appropriate application form.

1998-99 Undergraduate Calendar IV--Admission Information