How the top 6 actually works

The rules are simple, but two of them catch people out every single year.

What is the top 6?

Ontario universities admit on the average of your six best Grade 12 U or M courses. C, O and co-op courses do not count. Grade 11 marks can be used for early conditional offers, but the final decision comes off the top 6.

Do prerequisites get forced into the average?

Yes. A program's required courses go in first — if it needs ENG4U and MHF4U, both are in whether or not they are among your best marks. Your highest remaining U/M courses fill the rest of the six.

So my worst mark might still count?

If it is a prerequisite, yes. That is the single most common surprise. This is also why a strong elective cannot always rescue a weak required course.

What does a published grade range mean?

It is the range the university expects successful applicants to land in — not a guarantee and not a hard cutoff. Where a program says admission is 'by selection' or enrolment is limited, the real bar often sits above the published number.

Does co-op need a higher average?

Often. Many universities publish two figures — one for the regular stream, one for co-op. Where both exist, both are on the program page. 799 of the programs here have a co-op option.

What is a supplementary application?

Some programs want more than marks: an Admission Information Form, a portfolio, an audition, a written questionnaire, or a video interview. 193 programs here flag one. They have their own deadlines, usually earlier than you expect.

Where does this data come from?

Every figure is published by the university itself through Ontario Universities' Info, the official guide Ontario universities update directly. Each program page quotes the wording verbatim and links back to the source.

Is this official?

No. Cutoffs is an independent project and is not affiliated with OUAC, OUInfo or any university. Ranges change year to year — always confirm with the university before you apply.

1,624 programs · 36 campuses · 1,583 with a published range.