As Queen’s University celebrates its most recent graduates at convocation ceremonies this spring, the next incoming undergraduate class is taking shape.

Overall, Queen’s received 47,236 applications for 4,719 spaces in Fall 2019 – an 11 per cent increase over 2018, compared to a preliminary province-wide increase of four per cent.

Ontario-based students have until June 3 to accept their offer of admission. The deadline for students from outside of Ontario to accept their offer was May 1.

“Admissions staff and faculty representatives have reached out across Canada, talking to students and their families about Queen’s, and answering their questions before the acceptance deadlines,” says Ann Tierney, Vice-Provost and Dean of Student Affairs. “It is always exciting to speak with students about their choices and options, and all that Queen’s has to offer. We look forward to connecting with them on campus and online over the summer, and welcoming them on Move-in Day in September.”

This year, the Bachelor of Health Sciences is expanding its online degree to welcome its first 120 Kingston-based on-campus students. Also this year, Queen’s is aiming to continue modest year-over-year increases to first-year international student enrollment to reach 15 per cent of the entering class.

After accepting their offer of admission, the next steps for new first-year students are to apply to residence and pay their deposit by the June 10, 4 pm, deadline, and register for Summer Orientation to Academics and Resources (SOAR) which runs July 5 to 14. SOAR is a one-day program that aims to help ease the transition of incoming first-year students and their families. It provides information about academic expectations, resources, and learning strategies, and opportunities to meet with course selection and wellness-related advisors, and talk to upper-year students, faculty members, and staff. 

“SOAR is an important part of the support Queen’s provides to students in the weeks leading up to their arrival on campus,” Tierney says. “We also offer webinars throughout the summer for students who are unable to make it to campus, and there are options for students to talk by phone with academic advisors in their faculty or school, our in-house dietician, accessibility services staff, and others who can answer questions to help them better understand and prepare for the transition to university."

Queen’s has a Next Steps website that provides new students with monthly checklists of things to do before they arrive at Queen’s.