Future Ready Summer Experience Program

Future ready: Explore UW and gain valuable skills

°Õ³ó±ðÌýFuture Ready program is designed for students aged 15 to 17 who are interested in developing the 21st century skills that will help them to address some of the world's most challenging problems. Students will be inspired as they experience lectures from a variety of disciplines and explore the University of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ's renowned innovative culture.

This three-week summer program offers students the opportunity to engage in critical thinking, creative problem solving, and collaborative communication as they apply design thinking to ideate solutions to a specific global challenge. Students will benefit from core program components focusing on communication, innovation, culture, emphasized by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Live on-campus and experience university life
Explore the University of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ's renowned innovation culture
Learn through a dynamic interdisciplinary approach
Experience Canadian culture through visits to famous sites and attractions

WHAT WILL YOU LEARN?

The Future Ready program has four key components:

Investigating Innovation Exploring Culture

Students explore design thinking and problem-solving skills through real-world challenges tied to Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs). Guest lectures from À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ professors provide insight into the region's innovative atmosphere.

These sessions highlight the link between cultural diversity and sustainable development, emphasizing cross-cultural communication. By examining globalization and intercultural dynamics, students foster an empathetic approach to different cultures.
Cultivating Communication Navigating Projects: From concept to completion

Focused on academic communication, students develop skills in group work, presentations, and discussions. Practical exercises enhance teamwork, leadership, and confidence, preparing them for success in higher education.

Students engage in research-driven problem-solving to address global issues. Through collaboration, they develop innovative solutions, culminating in a capstone project that integrates insights from the entire program.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF FUTURE READY?

By participating in Future Ready, students will have the unique opportunity to experience university life before university. Exploring the University of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ's renowned innovation ecosystem, students will be exposed to...

  • different ways of understanding and thinking about global issues
  • an interndisciplinary approach to promote problem solving and idea generation
  • diverse learning environments that foster academic and career-ready skills to set them apart academically and professionally
  • dynamic student experience packed with on-campus activities and off-campus excursions* around southern Ontario

*Students will have supervision during all planned activities and trips

Program Details

Dates International Student Fees Domestic Student Fees
June 23 - July 11, 2025 $5200 CAD $4200 CAD

Application deadline:

May 15, 2025

NOTE: includes classes, accommodation, meals, on-campus activities and off-campus excursions, supervision in residence and during activities/trips, airport transfers through Airways Transit*, health insurance.

*arrival/departure transportation between Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) or the Region of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ International Airport (YKF) and Renison University College is included in the program fees for international students if students are arriving/departing on the program arrival/departure dates and if a minimum of 5 students are travelling together.

±·°¿°Õ·¡:Ìýincludes classes, accommodation, meals, on-campus activities and off-campus excursions, supervision, applicable taxes as required.

±·°¿°Õ·¡:Ìýdomestic students must reside in Canada and will be required to submit proof of Canadian Citizenship or Permanent Residency.

Ready to Apply?

Applications are now OPEN for the summer 2025 Future Ready program. Applications are due by May 15, 2025. Please view the steps for applying by clicking on the "How to Apply" section below.

How to Apply

  1. Complete and submit the . As part of the application, you will be required to input the student's information, their parent/guardian’s information, upload the completed Code of Conduct and Guardian Consent Form, and send in a 2 to 3 minute video from the student introducing themselves and sharing why they would like to participate in the program. The video can be submitted by email, file transfer (such as WeTransfer) or shareable Google Drive link to renison.sace@uwaterloo.ca â¶Ä¯Â 

  1. Following submission of the application form, an email acknowledgement of submission will be sent. 

  1. Our team will review your application details, including your video, and make a formal admissions decision. 

  1. You will be notified via e-mail (to the student's email address) of the admissions decision for your application. 

  1. If accepted, you will be instructed to pay your registration fees ($375 non-refundable administrative fee and a $625 non-refundable tuition deposit*); you will also be given instructions about accessing your Renison Student Portal account.  

  1. Once your registration fees are paid, our team will issue you a Letter of Acceptance accessible through your student portal account. 

  1. Remaining fees will be invoiced and due two weeks before the program start date. 

*Please note that the non-refundable registration fees ($375 administrative fee and $625 tuition deposit) are included in the total fees for the program; see above. 

About Renison University College

Renison University College is one of four affiliated colleges at the University of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ. Located on the À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ campus, Renison provides a small community experience within the larger University of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ student population.

Questions?

For further information, please contact renison.sace@uwaterloo.ca.