Queen's University Admissions Guide

Queen's University, a leading institution in Canada, champions academic excellence, discovery, and innovation. This guide provides a detailed overview of the undergraduate admissions process for prospective students, covering application basics, admission requirements, important deadlines, and tips for crafting a strong application. Queen's offers a transformative educational experience within a vibrant and diverse community, encouraging students to contribute to groundbreaking research and tackle global challenges.

Application Basics

Requirement	Details
Application System	OUAC 101 (for current Ontario high school students) / OUAC 105 (for all other applicants)
Application Fee	Contact OUAC for current fee (typically around $150 for initial three choices, additional fees for more choices)
Transcript Requirement	Official transcripts from all secondary and post-secondary institutions attended. Submitted electronically via OUAC for Ontario students. Other applicants will receive instructions.
Supplementary Application	Yes, for many programs (e.g., Commerce, Engineering, Health Sciences). Check program-specific requirements.

Admission Requirements

Queen's University emphasizes strong academic performance and a well-rounded profile. While general requirements apply, specific programs often have distinct prerequisites and competitive averages.

General Requirements

Applicants are typically required to have a strong academic record, including successful completion of their secondary school diploma. For Ontario high school students, this generally means six 4U/M courses, including program-specific prerequisites. A competitive overall average is crucial for admission to all programs.

Program-Specific Requirements

Admission to Queen's is highly competitive. The following table outlines typical requirements for some popular faculties. Note: Competitive averages can fluctuate year-to-year based on applicant pool strength. Always verify the most current requirements on the official Queen's University admission website.

Program/Faculty	Required Courses	Competitive Average
Engineering	English (ENG4U), Calculus and Vectors (MCV4U), Advanced Functions (MHF4U), Chemistry (SCH4U), Physics (SPH4U). One additional 4U/M course.	High 80s to Low 90s%+
Commerce	English (ENG4U), Calculus and Vectors (MCV4U), Advanced Functions (MHF4U). Three additional 4U/M courses.	High 80s to Low 90s%+
Arts & Science	English (ENG4U). Specific prerequisites vary by program within Arts & Science (e.g., Math for Science programs, specific languages for language programs).	Mid 80s to Low 90s%+
Health Sciences	English (ENG4U), Biology (SBI4U), Chemistry (SCH4U). One 4U Math course (e.g., MHF4U or MCV4U). Two additional 4U/M courses.	Low to Mid 90s%+

Important Deadlines

Meeting deadlines is critical for a successful application. These dates are general and can vary slightly each year. It is imperative to check the official Queen's University admission website for the most accurate and up-to-date deadlines.

Deadline	Date	Notes
OUAC Application	January 15	Recommended deadline for all applicants to submit their OUAC application.
Supplementary Application	February 1 - February 15 (approx.)	Varies by program. Check specific program deadlines.
Document Submission	March 1 - March 31 (approx.)	Deadline for submission of all required supporting documents, including transcripts.
Offer of Admission Response	June 1	Deadline for applicants to accept their offer of admission.

Supplementary Application

Many competitive programs at Queen's University require a supplementary application in addition to the OUAC application. This component allows the admissions committee to gain a more holistic understanding of your abilities, interests, and potential contributions to the Queen's community beyond academic grades.

The supplementary application typically involves:

Personal Statement/Essays: Opportunities to showcase your unique experiences, leadership skills, extracurricular involvement, and reasons for choosing your program and Queen's.
Video Interview/Questions: Some programs may require short video responses to pre-recorded questions.
Portfolio: Required for certain creative programs (e.g., Fine Art, Music).
References: While less common for undergraduate admissions, some specialized programs might request academic or personal references.

It is crucial to research the specific supplementary application requirements for your chosen program(s) well in advance. These applications are often due in February, shortly after the main OUAC application deadline.

Tips for a Strong Application

Excel Academically: Maintain strong grades, especially in your prerequisite courses. Queen's is academically rigorous, and a competitive average is fundamental.
Craft a Compelling Supplementary Application: If required, dedicate significant time and effort to your supplementary application. This is your chance to stand out. Highlight your unique experiences, leadership roles, community involvement, and genuine interest in your chosen program and Queen's.
Demonstrate Engagement: Queen's values well-rounded students. Participate in extracurricular activities, volunteer work, part-time jobs, or personal projects that demonstrate your passions, skills, and commitment.
Research Your Programs Thoroughly: Show a clear understanding of why you are applying to specific programs at Queen's. This can be reflected in your supplementary application and demonstrates genuine interest.
Meet All Deadlines: Procrastination can be costly. Ensure all components of your application, including transcripts and supplementary materials, are submitted well before the stated deadlines.

Official Sources

Always verify current information on official websites.

Undergraduate Admission | Queen's University: https://queensu.ca/admission/
University Registrar and Student Awards | Queen’s University: https://queensu.ca/registrar/
Queen's - Financial Aid: https://www.queensu.ca/registrar/financial-aid
Queen's - Student Affairs: https://www.queensu.ca/studentaffairs/