Co-op Application FAQ
Updated October 20, 2020
Co-op Application Process
When do I apply to be in co-op?
Enrolment in co-op is limited and there is a competitive admission process for co-op programs in Arts, Business, Economics, Science and User Experience Design.
You may apply to co-op by the first Monday of classes in September of your second year. (Students seeking admission to UXD or PEP apply in third year.)
We are no longer accepting applications for fall 2020 admission. We do not accept late applications. We will begin accepting applications for fall 2021 admission in March.
You must be pursuing your first undergraduate degree to be eligible for an undergrad co-op program.
See admission requirements for your program.
Where do I apply?
In March, we will begin accepting applications for admission to co-op for 2021.You apply through the Navigator database. It’s as easy as selecting “Co-op," your program, and clicking “submit application." See the Applying to Co-op section for the step by step details.
I’m a double degree student; is co-op admission guaranteed?
Students in Business and Financial Mathematics or Business and Computer Science at Laurier are offered automatic entry to co-op and may enrol online until the first Monday of classes in September. The only entry point for co-op is at the beginning of second year.
Co-op is compulsory for double degree students doing a BBA at Laurier and their other degree at UW. Additional information can be found on the double degree co-op program page.
I’m transferring from another university; may I still apply?
Absolutely. The Co-op Office will determine your eligibility for an admissions interview after receiving your previous transcripts from the Registrar’s Office. Remember, you must be entering the second year of your studies with no more than 7.5 credits and you must meet the GPA requirements in order to be considered for an admissions interview.
I've read everything on your website; where can I find more details? (New)
Watch a webinar with more details about the co-op application process for students in your program:
You can also find slides from information sessions for students applying to Business and Economics Co-op, Arts Co-op and Science Co-op, and Computer Science and Data Science Co-op.
GPA and Marks
What is the minimum GPA required for Business and Economics Co-op? What if I don’t meet this requirement?
We set the minimum GPA in July each year. In 2020, candidates to Business and Economics Co-op needed to achieve an overall first-year GPA of at least 9.0 out of 12 to be eligible for an admission interview. (The actual average GPA of students to whom we offered admission in 2020 was 10.2.)
We consider all first-year courses completed between September and April in your first year; you must have five full credits.
If you don’t meet the minimum GPA, consult the Grade Requirements.
What is the first-year GPA requirement for Arts and Science students to be granted an admission interview?
Students in Arts or Science must achieve either a first-year overall GPA of at least 7.0 out of 12 or a GPA of at least 7.0 in their honours discipline courses and at least a 6.5 GPA overall.
Which marks do you consider when calculating my GPA?
We consider all first-year courses completed between September and April in your first year. See the Marks for Applicants drop down for more detail, including transfer, AP and LEAF courses we consider.
May I take re-take courses during the summer to improve my GPA?
You may retake courses in the summer. We may, however, give more credit for academic achievement to students who achieved the minimum GPA cut-off by the end of the winter term.
We will not consider marks we receive after Monday of the second week of classes in September. Before taking courses through another school, check whether they will provide you with marks by our deadline.
Admission Interview
When are admissions interviews?
We expect to hold interviews through mid-September. Staff members have begun contacting students who are eligible for an interview. You will be asked to pick a time for your interview.
Are admission interviews in person?
In previous years, admission interviews took place in person, on campus. In fall 2020, in light of the need for physical distancing to avoid spreading COVID-19, all admission interviews took place using video conference software. We expect to use the same format in 2021. Please arrange to have access to the Internet and a device with a webcam.
How to use MS Teams for your co-op admission interview.
How can I prepare for my admission interview?
You will find lots of information about admission interviews here, including the webinar for your program. We are not able to conduct practise interviews with candidates, and neither are staff members in Laurier's Career Centre.
Do I need a resume?
If you are granted an admission interview, yes, you will need to provide a resume three days before your interview. Please follow the instructions for submitting your resume, and see the sample resume for your program.
What do you consider in the admissions interview?
Four categories (weighted equally):
- Work experience in the last three years
- Volunteer service and extracurricular activities in the last three years
- Academic record in your first year at Laurier (GPA)
- Performance during the interview
Consult Step 2: Application Review for all the information you'll need for your interview.
What if I couldn't find work in summer 2020?
We will give consideration to students who were able to secure paid employment, in a safe environment, during the summer of 2020. If you were not, however, able to find employment this summer, please be prepared to tell us how you spent your time. We want to hear about courses and volunteer work, and about any skills or knowledge you have gained and that you could apply to co-op jobs.
To find work in the summer of 2020, you might apply to postings through the Career Centre's Navigator database, and also check out job sites such as these:
I have had several jobs, but they are not very relevant to business. How will this affect my eligibility for Business and Economics Co-op?
The admission process is very competitive, as we interview many more students than we can admit to co-op. We assess both the quality and the quantity of work experience. If you have related experience in an office or in a supervisory role, you may have an advantage, as long as you are able to tell us about your role effectively during the interview.
Try to build on the work experience you have obtained already, and search for relevant work experience during your first year or during the following summer.
Even when describing jobs that may not be relevant to co-op, it is wise to explain your role, responsibilities and how you gained skills.
Do I need to supply references?
On the resume you provide to the Co-op Office before your interview, please include each employer's name, phone number and email address along with the job description. Follow the sample resume template.
We expect students to present their skills and experience truthfully and factually, as per the Non-Academic Student Code of Conduct. We reserve the right to verify any information provided and any student who is found to have misrepresented himself or herself will be ineligible for enrolment in the co-op program.
What are interviewers looking for when assessing volunteer and extracurricular involvement for the co-op admission process?
You should be able to list all the roles you held during senior high school and university. If you did more than attend meetings, explain how you contributed to each organization.
I am entering first year in 2020, and will apply for admission to co-op in 2021. How do I get involved in volunteer or extracurricular activities while studying remotely?
You could investigate volunteering within your community.
Ontario Volunteer Centre Network