Checked against uwaterloo.ca on October 20, 2026 · free, no login
Waterloo AIF word counter
Paste or type your answers to the four Fall 2027 questions. Each one has a checklist of what it asks, so you can see if you’ve missed a part.
Common questions
How long can each answer be?
Up to 150 words for each of Questions 1 to 4. If you want to see the real form before you submit, you can open it in Waterloo’s applicant portal and save without sending anything. The portal login usually arrives a day or two after you apply on OUAC.
What about Question 5?
Question 5 is a chart rather than an essay. Last year it had one row per activity, with a short title, start and end dates and your total hours for the year. The Q5 hours calculator can put those rows together for you.
Does the form have spell check?
No, which is why Waterloo suggests writing in a document and pasting your answers in. You also can’t see or edit the AIF once it’s submitted, so screenshot it first.
Can I use AI to write it?
No. Waterloo says you have to complete the AIF on your own, and AI answers that are untrue, incorrect or plagiarized can cost you your offer. For what it’s worth, this counter never sends your text anywhere.
Based on Waterloo’s AIF page as of October 20, 2026. If this counter and the real form ever disagree, go with the form.