OUAC and the 101 Application: How Guelph Applicants Apply
Written by Chloe Bennett • Published September 6, 2026 • Last verified September 6, 2026
What you need to know:
The OUAC 101 application is for current Ontario high school students; the 105 is for everyone else.
The University of Guelph's OUAC code is GU, and you can apply to up to three programs for one fee.
The 101 application typically opens in September and the equal consideration deadline is usually mid-January.
Some Guelph programs require supplementary applications, auditions, or portfolios by an earlier deadline.
Confirm your offer through OUAC by early June and pay a tuition deposit to Guelph to secure your spot.
The OUAC 101 application is the online system Ontario high school students use to apply to university. If you're a current Ontario secondary school student, you'll use the 101 application, not the 105. The University of Guelph is one of 21 universities that participate in the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC). When you apply through OUAC, you'll select Guelph as one of your program choices, and the university will receive your application and grades electronically.
Guelph's undergraduate programs are listed on the OUAC website under the university's code, which is GU. You can apply to multiple programs at Guelph, but you'll rank them in order of preference. The OUAC system lets you apply to up to three programs at Guelph with a single application fee. If you want to apply to more than three, you'll need to pay an additional fee for each extra choice.
The 101 application opens in early fall, typically in September or October, for admission to the following September. The deadline to apply is usually in mid-January, but Guelph may continue to accept applications after that date on a space-available basis. You should check the OUAC website and Guelph's admissions page for the exact dates each year, as they can change.
When you apply through OUAC, you'll need your Ontario Education Number (OEN), which is printed on your report card. You'll also need to provide your grades, which OUAC sends to Guelph automatically. Guelph's admissions office will then evaluate your application based on your grades and any supplementary information required for specific programs.
Some programs at Guelph require more than just grades. For example, the Bachelor of Arts and Sciences (BAS) program may require a supplementary application, and some music and fine arts programs may ask for an audition or portfolio. These requirements are listed on the Guelph admissions website under each program's page. If a program you're applying to requires extra steps, you'll need to complete them by a separate deadline, which is often earlier than the main application deadline.
Ontario high school students applying through the 101 application are considered for admission based on their top six Grade 12 U or M courses, including any required courses for their chosen program. Guelph calculates an admission average based on these courses. For programs like engineering or computer science, you'll need specific prerequisites such as English, Calculus, and Physics or Chemistry.
Guelph also participates in the Ontario Universities' Fair and the Ontario Universities' Regional Fairs, where you can talk to admissions representatives in person. These events are held in the fall across Ontario, including in Toronto and other cities. You can find a list of these events on the OUAC website or the Guelph admissions page.
If you're not a current Ontario high school student, you'll use the 105 application instead. This applies to mature students, transfer students, and applicants from outside Ontario or Canada. The 105 application has different deadlines and fee structures, and you may need to submit additional documents like transcripts from other post-secondary institutions.
After you submit your application through OUAC, you'll receive an acknowledgment from Guelph with instructions on how to check your application status. Guelph's admissions portal, WebAdvisor, lets you see if your application is complete, if any documents are missing, and eventually, your admission decision. Offers of admission are typically sent out on a rolling basis, starting as early as December for some students, and continuing until the spring.
One thing to know: Guelph's admission average cutoffs vary by program and year, so what got a student in last year might not be enough this year. The university publishes the minimum admission averages for each program on its website, but meeting the minimum doesn't guarantee admission. Programs like Biomedical Engineering and Marketing Management are more competitive and may require higher averages.
You should also be aware of the OUAC's equal consideration date. If you apply by this date, usually in mid-January, you'll be considered equally with all other applicants who applied by then. After that date, applications are still accepted, but some programs may fill up, so it's to your advantage to apply early.
Finally, to confirm your offer of admission, you'll need to respond through OUAC by the deadline specified in your offer letter. This is usually in early June. You'll also need to pay a tuition deposit to Guelph to secure your spot. The deposit amount is listed on the Guelph admissions website and is applied to your first semester's tuition.
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, check the OUAC website at ouac.on.ca and the University of Guelph admissions page at uoguelph.ca/admissions. These sites list the official deadlines, fees, and program requirements. If you have questions, you can contact Guelph's admissions office through the contact form on their website.
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