Admission to first year programs is limited and competitive. Applicants who do not meet the minimum academic admission requirements may be eligible for consideration as mature students when they:
- are Canadian citizens or permanent residents at the time of application,
- will be at least 21 years of age in the calendar year in which admission is sought,
- do not have an academic basis of admission (applicants having previously attended a university will be reviewed under University Transfer Regulations),
- have not normally been in full-time attendance at an educational institution within the previous four years,
- have achieved at least a "C" (60%) standing in any academic work attempted within the previous four years.
Mature applicants are normally considered for part-time admission (maximum of three full courses between September and April). Full-time enrolment may be necessary, when preparing for admission consideration to professional programs such as Dentistry and Medicine.
Applicants for full-time admission must submit a letter indicating why they feel they may be successful in university studies, what they wish to gain from the experience, and why full-time admission is necessary. Letters should include information relevant to candidates' academic goals, career ambitions or plans, and past work experience. Part-time applicants may also be required to submit similar documentation in support of their application.
Notes
- Notwithstanding the above requirements, applicants who believe that they have a strong case for admission to a first year program at Western are encouraged to submit an application for admission together with supporting documentation and letters of reference.
- Applicants admitted as Mature Students must obtain academic counselling from the academic counsellor of their faculty, program or the Mature Student Advisor prior to their initial registration.
- If the application for admission and the supporting documentation provided by the applicant do not indicate a reasonable probability for success in university studies, the applicant will be denied admission. Further consideration will be through an Admissions Committee whose decision will be final.
- All mature students continue to have mandatory academic counselling by their Faculty, Program or the Mature Student Advisor (in consultation with the Faculty).
- Counselling by the Student Development Centre in areas such as learning skills and effective writing is strongly recommended.