How to apply to Queen's Commerce

For a career in business, you want the best start possible. The Queen's Commerce program at Queen’s Smith School of Business will provide you with a deep understanding of business strategies and concepts, and foster your unique capacity for leadership, collaboration and communication.

You will be part of a strong community at Smith, with interactive classes, team projects, challenges, competitions, events, and clubs. So, are you convinced that you want to join the Queen's Commerce community? Keep reading to find out how you can get into this incredible program!

Why Choose Queen's Commerce?

Queen's Commerce gives you the opportunity to get involved outside the classroom with case competitions, networking events, Commerce Society, Certificate in Social Impact, and more!

In fact, 98% of Smith’s Commerce students acquire jobs within six months of graduation. Additionally, 85%+ of Commerce students participate in an international exchange!

Things to Know About Queen's Commerce:

• All BCom students are part of the Commerce Society (ComSoc), the largest undergraduate business society in Canada, with close to 1,000 student-held positions.
• ComSoc organizes social and networking events, conferences, and competitions, including Canada’s largest and longest-running business case competition.
• The program has dynamic and interactive classes, team challenges, living business cases, simulations, projects, and experiential trips.
• Known for its lead conferences, case competitions, and entrepreneurial opportunities.
• You have the option to study abroad at an international exchange partner school or the Bader International Study Centre.

First Year Courses at Queen's Commerce

Queen's Commerce is a four-year immersion in business. Years One and Two cover core business areas – from accounting to human resource management to finance. It is the essential foundation for a career in management. In Years Three and Four, students are able to focus on their interests through electives, including classes in other faculties.

Here are the required courses that you will take in first year:

• Business Management
• Introduction to Mathematical
• Analysis for Management
• Introduction to Financial Accounting
• Introduction to Management Accounting
• Introduction to Marketing
• Organizational Behaviour
• Managerial Statistics
• Principles of Economics
• Business Communications
• Managing Work and Teams

How To Apply to Queen's Commerce

To be part of Smith Commerce, you need a combination of strong academic performance and a well-rounded approach to life including a demonstration of leadership and teamwork.

Academic records are reviewed first. Once the minimum academic requirements are met, the decision is based on the Personal Statement of Experience and Supplementary Essays. They provide insight into your capacity, capabilities, and interest in the study of business.

They are looking for students with demonstrated involvement in their school and community such as volunteering, sports, family responsibilities, music, hobbies, or part-time work.

Before you apply for the program, you'll need to see if you meet the admission requirements first!

Ontario Student Requirements:

• The minimum average mark requirement is 87%.
• This average is based on six 4U/M courses and must include the three prerequisites:
  • English 4U,
  • Calculus and Vectors 4U,
  • and one additional 4U Mathematics course.
• A minimum grade of 80% is required in each of these three prerequisite courses. The additional three required courses may be either 4U or 4M, but no more than two 4M courses from the same discipline.

Keep in mind that the higher your average, the more competitive of an applicant you are for the program!

Supplementary Essay

Admission at Queen's is very competitive, and they use Supplementary Information including the Supplementary Essay (SE), Audition, or Portfolio in addition to your academic record to help make admission decisions. Each applicant to Queen’s has a unique To-Do List, detailing exactly what we need to round out your application. You can review your To-Do List (and the due dates) in your SOLUS Student Centre once you apply.

• NOTE: Once an applicant accesses their Supplementary Essay, these essay questions will remain valid for 30 days. If the student does not complete and submit their Supplementary Essays within the 30 days, the questions will change and their work will be lost.

Commerce programs require a Supplementary Essay. The last date to submit the essay is February 15th. Please note that Queen’s will not accept late submissions!

Apply on OUAC:

You can submit your applications through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC), starting in early October. Although the final date to submit your application is January 13, we strongly encourage you not to wait until the deadline to apply. Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis and some admission categories fill up quickly.

The steps below will guide you through the application process.

You apply online at the Ontario Universities Application Centre’s (OUAC) website.

• Include a valid and unique e-mail address that only you can access/use. Queens and many Ontario universities use e-mail to send important information.
• Apply before the recommended deadline (January 13) to ensure your application is processed without delays.
• If you are required to submit an English Language Proficiency test result, please upload it directly on your application portal prior to April 1, 2022.

Application Deadlines

Here are a few important dates and deadlines to help guide you through the application process.

October 1

• On October 1, students can begin applying to Queen's through the application process at the Ontario Universities Application Centre (OUAC). Check out this How to Apply page for more step-by-step details.

November 20

• In order to give you enough time to access the online Major Admission Award Application (MAA), you must you apply to Queen’s on OUAC by November 20.

December 8

• December 8 is the deadline to submit the online Major Admission Award (MAA) application on SOLUS (Queen's online student centre). We advise students, who are planning to apply for an MAA to apply to Queen's (through OUAC) earlier – by November 15 so that you can access the application.

February 1

• February 1 is the deadline for applications, changes or additions to applications at the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) for all first-year programs, for all applicants.

February 15

• Deadline for submitting supplementary information. Details about the supplementary information can be found here.
• February 15 is the recommended last day to submit current high school transcript, including a list of second semester courses (where applicable). (Does not apply to current Ontario high school students). Current Ontario high school students' grades will automatically be forwarded by their high school.

April 30

• Deadline to submit the Equity Admission Self-Identification form. More information about this form is available here.
• Queen's receives Ontario high schools grades from the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC). This is also the last day Queen's will accept documents in support of an application.

May 1

• Deadline for response to offers of admission for students not attending high schools in Ontario.

May 20

• All admission decisions are complete at Queen's and posted on SOLUS.

June 1

• Deadline for response to offers of admission for students attending an Ontario high school. This is also the deadline for all students receiving an offer after May 1.

August 1

• Final transcripts are due to Queen's by August 1. Please note: Ontario high school students' deadline is July 15.

After you Apply:

Once you have applied, there are a few things you still need to do to keep the application on track:

1. Activate your NetID

If you haven’t already done so, activate your NetID using the Queen's Student ID number that was emailed to you! Your Queen’s NetID is used to access SOLUS, which has important information, including your To Do List.

1. Add @queensu.ca to your safe senders list

Adding @queensu to your safe email senders list ensures that you will receive all your emails from Queen's. We will use the email address you used on your application to communicate with you.

1. Work on your Supplementary Essay

Details about your Supplementary Essay, including key dates and deadlines, will be on your To Do List on SOLUS. Learn more about Supplementary Information here...

1. Log into SOLUS and check your To Do List

Queen's will add to your To Do List as they begin to assess your application. Check it often to ensure you are up-to-date, and on time!

To log into SOLUS:

1. Go to my.queensu.ca
2. Enter your NetID and password
3. Select the SOLUS tab (under the main menu)
4. Send your transcript (applicants outside Ontario) If you are not studying in an Ontario school, submit your transcript. You may receive an offer of admission based on your Grade 11 marks. If you send Queen's transcripts through the year, they will reassess your application every time they receive new information.

Please review the information on sending official documents to Queen’s before sending your transcript.

Queen's Commerce Scholarships

Annual tuition and fees for domestic students in the Queen's Commerce program are currently $16,288. Residence, meal plan, textbooks, and supplies are approximately $17,213 per year. Luckily, there are a range of scholarships and bursaries available to help lower these costs! Most award applications can be submitted ONLINE through your Queen’s SOLUS Student Centre.

Below are links to some of the amazing scholarships and bursaries at Queen's!

Major Admission Awards

Students demonstrating superior academic ability, creative and original thinking, involvement in school/community activities, and leadership qualities can apply for a major admission award. These awards have values between $36,000 and $80,000. Financial need is also a consideration for some awards.

Admission Bursaries

An admission bursary is based on an assessment of your financial need. It is an amount of money you do not have to pay back. Students applying for an admission bursary must also be considering government student financial assistance.

Commitment Scholars

The Commitment Scholars Award celebrates and recognizes demonstrated leadership in, and commitment to, racial justice, social justice, or diversity initiatives by a student in their high school or in their community.

Promise Scholars

The Promise Scholars program is a comprehensive initiative designed to reduce financial barriers and increase access to Queen’s for local, first-generation students. The program provides dedicated financial, academic, and career support to help students complete their degree. Five awards will be available.

Automatic Admission Scholarships

By applying for admission to Queen's all eligible applicants are considered for a grades-based admission scholarship.

Schulich Leader Scholarships

Schulich Leader Scholarships were created by Canadian business leader and philanthropist Seymour Schulich. The program is funded by The Schulich Foundation and Co-Administered by UJA Federation of Greater Toronto. Queen’s is one of 20 participating universities. The program recognizes students across Canada who are planning to study science, technology, engineering, or math.

Other Admission Awards

These awards are based on a number of criteria, including academic achievement!

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