Interest in Queen’s undergraduate programs remains as strong as ever.

The university received over 46,000 applications from around the world for 4,700 first-year places. And now that the June 1 deadline to accept offers of admission has passed, all signs indicate that the university is on track to meet its enrolment targets. Of note, the university has made progress on key recruitment areas toward its equity, diversity, and inclusivity goals. Acceptance of offers has increased among both self-identified Indigenous students and self-identified First-Generation students.

“Queen’s made offers of admission to outstanding students this year, and we are pleased so many have confirmed their plan to study with us. The Class of 2024 brings a great deal of talent, enthusiasm, and diversity to the Queen’s community; we are very excited to welcome them,” says Ann Tierney, Vice-Provost and Dean of Student Affairs.

Recruiting the incoming class

Undergraduate Admissions and Recruitment (UAR), faculties and schools, and campus partners adapted quickly to offset the challenges COVID-19 presented in recruiting the incoming class. Typically, the team holds many in-person recruitment events around the world, including across Canada and on campus in Kingston. When physical distancing protocols made this approach impossible, UAR pivoted to using primarily online tools and platforms, including webinars, social media, targeted web content, email campaigns, and video calls.

Over 2,000 students participated in 40 webinars that focused on key topics, such as the student experience, academic programs, and how to finance a Queen’s education. A series of Q&As on Instagram Live also drew significant engagement. Featuring deans, faculty, staff, and current students, these sessions attracted over 2,000 participants and an additional 8,000 views afterwards.

UAR also created a new website to help admitted students connect with the campus and community without leaving home. On this website, prospective students could get a glimpse of the campus and the community at Queen’s through images and videos, as well as hear from current Queen’s students and alumni on why they should say yes to Queen’s.

“The hard work and ingenuity of the whole team at Undergraduate Admissions and Recruitment helped make it possible to attract so many excellent students to Queen’s. Through all these innovations, we were able to keep prospective students engaged and interested in the incomparable student experience and academic environment that Queen’s offers,” says Chris Coupland, Executive Director (Acting), UAR.

Next steps for new students

Now that prospective students have accepted their offers, Queen’s is focusing on preparing the newest members of the tricolour community for their transition to university life. Student Affairs, and faculties and schools, will be communicating with students, their families and supporters regularly to welcome them and connect them with summer-long transition programs, including a virtual Summer Orientation to Academic Resources (SOAR).

To learn more about how incoming students transition to life at Queen’s, see the Next Steps website.

To learn more about what students can expect in the fall, visit the Queen’s Spirit website.