Top 5 tips for 2022/2023 Queen's Commerce Admissions Essays
As you likely know, once you have an 87% overall average including your pre requisite courses, admissions is based 100% off of your essays! At least 2 people on the admissions committee will review your application, score each essay out of 5 based on the rubric, for a finally score out of 10 which is evaluated against everyone else applying. When they read your essays, they do NOT see your grades, name, gender, high school....its truly all about how your essays stand out while hitting the rubric.
Since helping nearly 200+ grade twelve students with their Queen's Commerce admissions essays, here are out top 5 tips for nailing your application:
1. Selecting the best questions for your application
Students are only required to submit essays for two out of the three questions you are given. However, which two you select and what you say within your essays is super important.
The essay questions are meant to lead you towards hitting the rubric (see A and B rubric elements below under tip 2) and often lead towards one rubric element or the other.
Each essay must hit ALL elements of the rubric. Be careful not to fall into the fatal flaw of avoiding that tricky Positionality question just because you prefer the other essays.
2. Telling the right stories to hit the rubric
It is crucial that your essays hit on the rubric as best as possible. DO NOT force your extra-curricular activites into your essays... I REPEAT DO NOT DO THIS. Focus on:
A - Demonstrate personal growth: you must demonstrate a BEFORE and an AFTER to display growth. Think of who you were, who you are, and who you are becoming. What have you done to create this growth and what does this say about you as a person going forward?
B - Careful Reflection of your positionality: you must explicitly reflect on your race, gender, socioeconomic, sexuality and ability status. CAREFUL reflection is required so make sure you hit a few of these elements. You must talk to your own biases, perspectives and how that is impacted due to your identity. Be real, don't sugar coat it, and be mindful of how you communicate your privilege and challenges
3. If someone else can write it, don't
Most 17 year olds have similar life experiences, but what you say about your experiences need to be so authentically YOU, that no one else could write what youre writing. Dig deep, invoke emotion, share specific stories that only you could tell.
4. Don't try to "sound smart" in your essays
Keep your writing style simple and easy to read. Use multiple paragraphs, do not indent your paragraphs, and make sure the story, reflection, and learning outcomes flow throughout your essay in a logical way. Don't use fancy words, but make sure your writing is not too casual (not the same tone as texting a friend, but not quite a fancy formal essay).
5. Be yourself
Don't look at what other people wrote to get in, don't try to sound like someone you are not. Be true to yourself, your life experiences, your story, and your writing style! This is the best way to be unique, memorable, and stand out!
