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Alpha Admissions

Everything you need to know (that Queen’s won’t tell you)

Queen’s Commerce supplementary application

After working with 450+ Queen’s Commerce applicants over the past 13+ years, we’ve built a process that helps strong students craft standout applications. This guide walks you through what to expect and how to prepare with intention — so you’re not just guessing or Googling your way through.

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Step 01

After You Apply on OUAC

Once you submit your OUAC application, Queen’s and Kira Talent will email you in 1 to 2 weeks with a link to complete your supplemental. Most students also apply to Queen’s Arts & Science as a backup. That program must be selected during your OUAC application — it cannot be added later.

The supplemental portal opens on or after November 1 each year. Some years it arrives a few days later than expected.

Your Alpha advisor will keep you informed of key dates and deadlines, so you’re never caught off guard.

Step 02

How You’re Evaluated

Queen’s evaluates you holistically — but grades are just the starting point. Once you meet the academic threshold, what matters most is your supplemental.

Queen’s does not consider

  • Academic grades above the cut off of 90%
  • Club titles or long activity lists
  • Your name, school, or gender (they don’t see any of it during review)

They do consider

  • At least 80% in English, Calculus, and one other U-level math (Functions or Data Management)
  • Minimum 90% average including the three pre-requisites above + your next three highest 4U or M courses
  • Your essay and video responses, scored strictly using the rubric

We help you understand the evaluation process and build your application around what actually matters.

Step 03

The Rubrics + Kira Talent Overview

You’ll be scored using two official rubrics — one for the written essay and one for the video interview. These rubrics outline exactly what reviewers are looking for. You are not being scored on grammar or style.

Written response

  • A compelling and authentic account of a significant challenge.
  • Exceptional initiative, adaptability, & persistence when addressing this challenge.
  • Problem-solving is appropriate, thoughtful, and shows planning or creativity.
  • Demonstrates meaningful reflection on what they learned.
  • How this experience has shaped their perspective or behavior going forward.
Queen's Commerce 2025/2026 Admissions Essay Rubric

Video response

  • Presents a vivid, authentic, and reflective example.
  • Demonstrates maturity, self-direction, and creativity or composure under pressure.
  • Handles setbacks or complexity with clarity and purpose.
Queen's Commerce 2025/2026 Admissions Video Rubric

Kira Talent

Offers “practice questions” to help you test your mic, camera, and timing. These are helpful for setup, but not for content prep. The practice questions are not pulled from the real question bank and are not aligned with the rubric.

Your Alpha advisor will help you unpack the rubric, prep story-driven responses, and avoid common pitfalls.

Step 04

The Essay

Here’s how the written section works:

  • One random question from a bank of 10–15
  • 335 words maximum
  • No copy-paste, all other tabs closed, screen recording active, live word count
  • You’re scored on the rubric only, not writing polish or grammar
  • After submitting your essay, you can close the tab or log out of Kira Talent and return later to complete the video anytime before the deadline

Most students make the mistake of trying to force leadership positions or extra-curriculars into their essay. What Queen’s Commerce wants is depth, reflection, and clarity.

We guide you through brainstorming and refining flexible stories that align with multiple questions — so you’re ready no matter what you get.

Step 05

The Video Interview

Once you’ve submitted your written essay, you can log back into Kira Talent to complete the video interview whenever you’re ready. The video is straightforward once you know what to expect. You’ll receive one random question from a small bank of 3 to 5 prompts. The process looks like this:

  • 2 minutes to prepare
  • 2 minutes to record your answer
  • Scored only on the rubric

Your tone, voice, appearance, and presentation style are not part of the evaluation. Reviewers are focused entirely on the content and clarity of your response.

We run mock video sessions and give detailed feedback to help you speak with clarity, stay on track, and show up as your best self.

Step 06

Final Tips + Accommodations

  • Print both rubrics and refer to them while preparing
  • Answer the question directly
  • Don’t waste time with long intros or rehearsed scripts
  • If you have an IEP or disability, you can request accommodations
  • There is no additional section for special circumstances

We help you tailor your approach — from accommodation requests to integrating personal context — so that what matters most is clearly reflected in your application.

Step 07

Work With Us

At Alpha Admissions, we don’t use templates or copy-paste answers. We work one-on-one with each student to help you:

  • Identify strong, authentic stories
  • Align responses with the rubric
  • Build clarity, confidence, and depth
  • Avoid generic, repetitive answers that admissions reviewers see every day

With limited spots each cycle, we focus on helping each student deliver their strongest possible application.

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Free download

See exactly how Queen’s Commerce scores your application.

Get the official written and video rubrics, or book a free 20-minute strategy call to see if we’re the right fit.

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