IV--Admission Information

Admission Requirements to University Programs in 1999

Semester One Admission

Entry Points

Admission to Semester One of a degree program is available in the Fall semester only. However, exceptions may be made to the Fall only entry rule for a limited number of students who can produce evidence that the Fall only rule presents a significant barrier. A Semester One degree applicant is defined as one who will receive fewer than 2.00 credits upon admission. These exceptions apply only for those seeking admission to the B.A., B.Sc. and B.Comm. programs. Applicants who wish to be considered for admission to one of these degree programs in January and May should contact Admission Services. Students may apply to General Studies for Fall, Winter or Spring entry.

1. Applicants from Ontario Secondary Schools

   Ontario secondary school students seeking admission to a degree program must present the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) including a minimum of 6 Ontario Academic Courses. Specific Ontario Academic Course subject requirements for admission to the various degree programs are outlined in this section. Students are also advised to consult Section X of the calendar (Undergraduate Degree Programs) to note those subjects which are recommended for specific programs.

   In some cases, applicants with high academic standing may be admitted if they are deficient one of the specific subject requirements. The exceptions to this are Akademia, Cooperative Education and the Bachelor of Commerce Program for which applicants must have completed all of the specific subject requirements.

   Some offers of admission will be released in late February or early March while others will be released in May. All offers of admission which are based on interim grades will be conditional upon completion of the OSSD with 6 OACs and including specific subject requirements. The minimum final admission average which the applicant will have to achieve will be stipulated in the condition. Grades in specific subject requirements are included in the calculation of the admission average. The University reserves the right to rescind the offer of admission should a student fail to meet any condition in the offer.

   Students will not be required to respond to the offer until the common response date for all Ontario universities. Those wishing to respond earlier may do so.

   Applicants who have not received an offer of admission by early June may be eligible for admission consideration to all non-limited enrolment programs by submitting their final grades. Admission consideration will be given on the basis of final grades only when places are still available in the program and/or specialization to which the student has applied at the time that the final grades are received.

   It is the applicant's responsibility to submit final, summer school or correspondence course grades to Admission Services, Level 3, University Centre, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, as soon as they become available. The following methods for submission of final grades will be acceptable:

   1. report card issued by the secondary school
   2. certified copy of the report card
   3. a transcript of marks issued by the secondary school and forwarded directly to the University.

   It is suggested that students follow method a) above in order to facilitate the processing of their application. Any offers based on faxed information are conditional upon receipt of the official document.

   International Baccalaureate

   Students applying on the basis of having completed the IB diploma must possess a minimum score of 28, including bonous points. (This score is currently under review. Applicants with a score of 24 are strongly encouraged to apply.) Applicants should have competed the diploma with six subjects: 3 higher level and 3 subsidiary level. Students should also include the specific subject requirements for the program to which they are applying among their higher and subsidiary levels. Transfer credit may be given for higher level courses with grades of 5 or higher.

   Applicants for whom English is a second language may have the English Proficiency Requirement waived if they have completed the IB diploma where English was the language of instruction.

   Advanced Placement

   Advanced Placement courses may be used to determine admissibility and also granting of credit or exemption. Applicants who have completed Advanced Placement courses with a minimum grade of 4 may be eligible to receive university credit to a maximum of 2.00 credits. The granting of credits and exemptions is at the discretion of the appropriate faculty.

2. Applicants from Outside Ontario

   Applicants whose preparation to enter the University has been completed outside the Ontario secondary school system must have achieved, as a minimum requirement, academic standing equivalent to that required of Ontario students and must satisfy the subject requirements for the program desired. Students should refer to the information for Ontario applicants regarding specific subject deficiencies. The university will take into consideration the availability of specific course requirements in other countries or provinces to ensure that the applicant is not disadvantaged if particular senior secondary courses are not offered. Please refer to the information following this section regarding specific subject requirements and equivalents.

   Conditional offers of admission may be released on the basis of interim and/or first term grades as soon as the university receives this information. Some decisions may be deferred until final grades are submitted. Applicants are encouraged to submit any academic information which might expedite an admission decision. The condition of the offer will be applied as outlined 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. General Certificate of Education (GCE) Systems

      Applicants must present either the GCSE (or IGCSE) and the GCE showing one of:

      1. passes in five subjects, at least two of which must be at the GCE Advanced level
      2. passes in four subjects, at least three of which must be at the GCE Advanced level

   4. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

   B.A. Program

   Students who meet the requirements to be considered for admission as mature applicants must have standing in 3 OACs 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.Sc.(Tech.), 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.

   General Studies

   The objective of General Studies is to provide students who do not meet the normal University admission criteria with the opportunity to take university courses before registering in a specific degree program or to take university courses for continued learning with no immediate intention of registering in a degree program. Applicants may apply to the Fall, Winter or Spring entry points.

   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.

   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.

   Application to General Studies in the first instance is for part-time study only. As such, students may take a maximum of 1.50 credits in the first semester. In special circumstances permission to (study) full-time may be granted by the General Studies Admissions Committee. Successful completion (60% cumulative average or better) of 1.50 credits is required before full-time study in General Studies can be undertaken.

1999-2000 Undergraduate Calendar IV--Admission Information