The adjustment factor

Waterloo has publicly acknowledged that it adjusts applicants' averages based on how students from each school have historically performed once admitted. Two students with the same report card, from two different schools, are not read as equals.

Families almost never hear about this until after decisions come out. It changes what a “safe” average actually means — and how much margin a student really needs to be holding.

We walk you through what's publicly documented and what we've seen with our own students, and what it means for the target your child should actually be aiming at.