When Evan Wray submitted his application to the University of Calgary’s engineering program last year, he was confident that his 89.5 percent average would secure his admission. Graduating from Calgary’s STEM Innovation Academy public charter school, Wray had high hopes for the program, as it would allow him to save costs by living at home, aligning with his aspirations to work in the oil and gas sector.
However, to his surprise, Wray received a rejection, prompting him to hastily devise an alternate plan, a contingency he hadn’t anticipated. Disheartened by the outcome, he reflected on the belief instilled from childhood that hard work guarantees success. Despite putting in maximum effort to boost his grades, the desired outcome eluded him.
Consequently, Wray opted for a gap year and secured a construction job, a stroke of luck considering the challenging state of the youth labor market. Concurrently, he is enhancing his high school courses online and intends to reapply for engineering at the U of C next year, hoping for a more favorable response, possibly through early admission.
Wray’s situation is not unique, as many of his friends and classmates share similar experiences. Online platforms buzz with stories of students with high 80s grades facing rejections from the same program, reflecting the heightened competition amid Alberta’s burgeoning population.
The University of Calgary acknowledges the mounting demand for its academic programs due to the province’s significant population growth among university-aged individuals. The institution witnessed a nine percent surge in total applications in 2025 compared to the previous year, resulting in a proportional increase in admission averages due to the overwhelming demand surpassing available capacity.
President Ed McCauley emphasized the university’s struggle with full capacity, foreseeing a substantial rise in student numbers seeking entry into post-secondary institutions. The university has expanded enrollment capacity in high-demand faculties, including engineering and science, since 2022, with plans to add 10,000 more slots by 2030 to address the escalating demand.
In response to the soaring competition, the University of Alberta and Mount Royal University stated their admission criteria and maintained that while some programs remain highly competitive, accessible options are available for students. The escalating grade expectations for sought-after programs like engineering and sciences have exacerbated the pressure on students, as reflected in the intensifying competition for limited spots.
The escalating grade requirements have been particularly frustrating for students, with the University of Calgary setting a higher cutoff than initially indicated. This trend of rising admission averages underscores the challenges faced by aspiring students, amplifying the stress and anxiety surrounding university applications.
Moreover, the surge in demand for STEM careers, especially engineering, has heightened the urgency to address the capacity constraints in post-secondary institutions. Despite the evolving labor market and technological landscape driving increased interest in engineering programs, the fixed number of available seats poses a significant challenge in meeting the surging demand.
As Alberta grapples with the post-secondary funding allocation and its competitiveness relative to other provinces, there is a growing concern that the escalating grade requirements may drive local students to seek education outside the province. The impending report based on the expert panel’s findings is anticipated to shed light on crucial issues affecting the post-secondary sector, aiming to ensure accessibility and affordability while nurturing a skilled workforce for the future job market.
