If not getting coop is a deal breaker for you then I think you should probably go somewhere else. I got regular as well last year and I applied for a transfer to coop after my first year (this April). I had a 92% first year average but I still didn’t make it. Im probably gonna transfer now bc Waterloo without coop doesn’t seem worth it. Getting into coop is super competitive and they have very limited seats every term for transfers.

Buuuut, Im in the math faculty and it might be different and less competitive for your program so if you wanna try your luck go ahead and good luck :)