Applying to Laurier

As parents, your opinion and guidance are important components of your child’s journey to university. And while your child may be the one going to university, the choice of where to attend university impacts the entire family.

To help you and your future scholar, we've provided some resources below to help you support your child as they apply to university. We've even created some great conversation starters to help you lead productive discussions.

Book a Campus Tour

We offer many opportunities for you and your student to tour our Waterloo and Brantford campuses from the comfort and convience of your own home, including video guided tours.

We host guided in-person campus tours Monday through Saturday on both our Waterloo and Brantford campuses. We encourage your student to check our Campus Tours page throughout the upcoming months as we continue to post open tour spots as they become available.

Explore Programs

Choosing what program to take at university can often be the most difficult decision that a student has to make. They often need your love, guidance and support in making this decision. We offer a variety of programs designed to inspire and motivate our students into being valued and active members of society. We accomplish this through a number of outside-the-classroom opportunities, such as co-op, Community Service-Learning, and international opportunities, just to name a few.

Learn about the Admissions Process

The Ontario Universities Application Centre deadline for Ontario high school students is Jan. 15, 2025. All other applicants can apply up until April 1, 2025. Students must apply by these application deadlines to ensure they are considered for admission to their program of interest. Applications submitted after these dates will be considered if there is space available in the program.

Laurier's admissions website includes an application checklist so you can familiarize yourself with Laurier's specific admissions process – each university varies in how they admit students.

How We Communicate With Applicants

After an application is submitted, Laurier will communicate with applicants by email to remind them of any additional deadlines for required documents, important dates and upcoming events. When an admission decision is made, students will receive an email notifying them. Laurier does not mail offers of admission.

Applicants should log into their applicant portal as soon as they apply. 

Graduate Studies

Even if your student has already gone through undergraduate studies at university, it can be hard to keep everything straight. Our graduate admissions website can walk you through next steps in the application process.

Create a Financial Plan

In terms of financial support, compare tuition, scholarships and entrance bursaries to find the right fit for your family. It’s also worth checking if there are opportunities to work (i.e. co-op, part-time jobs, etc.), so your child can learn and earn at the same time. 

Laurier's Dollars and Sense program can help students increase their financial knowledge, including how to create a budget – a great exercise for parents and students to do together.

Visit the Managing Finances webpage for more information about paying tuition and financial support.

Explore Residence

Laurier guarantees a spot in residence to all incoming first-year students who are attending postsecondary for the first time. The application opens in April and is due June 2, 2025. There is a $600 non-refundable deposit due with the application.

You can watch our 360-degree room tours on YouTube:

• Brantford campus residence playlist
• Waterloo campus residence playlist

Residence Dining Options

All students living in residence must purchase a meal plan. Students living in an apartment-style residence have a suite with a kitchen to cook in. On the Waterloo campus, residence buildings are either dormitory or apartment-style. All residences on the Brantford campus are apartment-style.

Learn more about campus dining options.

Stay Positive and Stay Informed

Applying to university can be a stressful experience, so can waiting for an admission decision. Remind your student that their hard work is leading up to something truly exciting. With your help, they are setting themselves up for the next chapter.

If you need any help, Laurier is here to support. Reach out to us with any questions or concerns: chooselaurier@wlu.ca or gradadmissions@wlu.ca.

You can also add your name to our undergraduate studies mailing list to receive more updates about Laurier.