Ontario Secondary School Admission Overview

Ideally, start this process no later than October of your final year of secondary school.

  • Research McMaster’s program options that match your goals.
  • Attend a webinar or information session (more information coming soon).
  • Follow McMaster Admissions (@MacAdmit) on Instagram and Facebook.
  • Visit the McMaster Campus:
  • Discuss your goals (academic, career, etc.) with your school’s Guidance Counsellor.

(November to early January)

  • Apply online at the Ontario Universities Application Centre’s (OUAC) website.
  • Apply before the recommended deadline (January 13) to ensure your application is processed without delays.
    • Applying beyond January 13 (via OUAC) is still possible to programs that do not have a mandatory supplementary application deadline that has passed.
    • Adding/changing a McMaster program choice after January is also possible via OUAC.
  • Submit a Supplementary Application, if required. Supplementary applications are only required for the following programs:
    • Arts & Science
    • Bachelor of Technology
    • Business (optional)
    • Computer Science
    • Engineering
    • iArts (Creative Submission)
    • Integrated Business & Humanities
    • Integrated Science
    • Integrated Biomedical Engineering & Health Sciences (iBioMed)
    • Health Sciences
    • Nursing (CASPer Test)
    • Music (Audition)
  • Review McMaster’s Statement for application fraud.
  • If you are required to submit an English Language Proficiency test result, please upload it directly on your application portal prior to April 1, 2022.

(January to May)

(Accept offer by June 1 for current, full-time Ontario secondary school students or the deadline listed on your offer letter)

  • You can view and download your admission decision letter on your applicant portal.
    • All admissions decisions will be made no later than end of May.
  • Accept your offer on OUAC by the deadline listed on your offer of admission letter.
  • Complete the online Residence Application (including deposit) by the deadline (if applicable).

Review the conditions of any offer(s) you receive

  • Ontario students must complete the following conditions by June 30 (or the specific date listed on McMaster’s offer of admission letter):
    • Complete the required courses for the program you will be entering.
    • Complete the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (and its associated requirements).
    • Maintain the minimum average and other conditions in your offer of admission letter, which can be found in your Student Centre on Mosaic.
    • Check your OUAC application page to ensure all of your grade information is present and correct. Courses used to meet the conditions of your offer must be completed by June 30th unless otherwise stated in your offer. Grades will be sent to us by the OUAC in early July.

Once your grades are received, we will review to ensure you have completed all the requirements to meet your conditions of admission. Once this is confirmed, an email will be sent to advise that your offer is finalized.

Please note that errors in your grades at the OUAC can affect the conditions of your offer: contact your school’s guidance office and the OUAC to correct any issues immediately.

(June to August)

Visit registrar.mcmaster.ca to review McMaster’s Quick Start Guide for New Students. Listed below is an overview of some of the major action items on McMaster’s Quickstart website:

  • Review our Undergraduate Calendar for an overview of courses in your first year (and beyond)
  • Register as a new McMaster student by selecting classes, paying fees, setting up e-mail, etc.
  • Participate in summer orientations events offered by our Student Success Centre
  • Receive residence building and roommate allocation details from the Housing Office (if you applied to residence)
  • Submit financial aid applications
  • Start classes and orient yourself to university life during Welcome Week