After working with over 400 Queen’s Commerce applicants over the past 12 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.
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.
Queen’s evaluates you holistically — but grades are just the starting point. Once you meet the academic threshold, what matters most is your supplemental.
Anything above an 90% average
Club titles or long activity lists
Your name, school, or gender (they don’t see any of it during review)
At least 80% in English, Calculus, and one other U-level math (Functions or Data Management)
Minimum 87% 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
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.The Rubrics + Kira Talent Overview
Taking exceptional initiative when addressing challenge OR seeking assistance
Demonstrate outstanding problem solving skills
Effectively work under changing conditions
Embraces change and new ideas
Reflect meaningfully & demonstrate significant personal growth & maturity
Embrace flexibility in a team, contributing
to team success despite role
Outstanding ability to navigate team challenges and/or resolve conflict
Reflect meaningfully on experience + show sig. growth & maturity
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.