One of the things that I have really grown to appreciate about the Queen’s School of Business is the incredible attention to detail.  This is not something that is easily conveyed through a viewbook or simply by browsing a website, but it can mean a lot for a student making the leap from high school to university.  For example, when I applied to Queen’s Commerce 2 years ago, I remember receiving a personally addressed, handwritten Christmas card in the mail.  Sending out a card may not seem like a big deal, but if you imagine a card being sent out to every person who has applied to the program, you can see how that can quickly add up to a lot of work.  Have you ever lost your cell phone?  If so, then you understand the hassle and expense of having to replace it.  I was once emailed by a staff member at QSB who recognized my name in a lost cell phone.  Someone had found it on campus and returned it to the front desk of Goodes, and they had managed to track down my email address.  Because of that email, I was able to reunite my friend with her lost cell phone.  From decorating Goodes Hall with fake snow, lights, and reindeer for the holiday season, to being able to borrow an umbrella from the Commerce Office when the weather isn’t cooperating, it’s the little details that really help the Queen’s School of Business stand out from other institutions.

Through my work at QSB, and leading tours around campus, I get a lot of questions from prospective students.  I’d like to address some of the most common questions based on my experience of applying to Commerce:

When do acceptance offers go out?  What does a conditional offer mean?
If you applied for the Chancellor’s scholarship, the committee reviews your application first.  I was accepted in early to mid-February, which (I believe) was when the first round of offers went out.  After that, offers kept going out in small batches throughout March to mid-May.  A conditional offer means that you need to maintain the minimum academic requirements listed in your acceptance package, otherwise Queen’s can revoke the offer.

I didn’t take Accounting/Economics/Introduction to Business in high school, how hard will it be for me to keep up?
All first year Commerce courses start right from the beginning.  The professors will assume you haven’t had any exposure to these business concepts, and they will work to make sure you have a solid foundation.  With that being said, if you have taken those courses before, the first few lectures may be a bit of a review, which is always a nice way to ease into the school year!

How hard is it to get involved?
Let me put it this way, I don’t know a single Commerce student who isn’t involved in at least one extracurricular activity.  You’ll learn about the tons of internal/external committees and organizations during Frosh Week.  In the meantime, browse http://comsoc.queensu.ca for a full list of student-run initiatives.  From being a Frosh Rep on one of the many executives, to getting retail experience at Oil Thigh Designs, or to volunteering in the Kingston community through Commerce Kids, there is something for everyone with a wide range of interests and commitment-levels.

What’s the hardest course in first year?
This is purely subjective, but COMM 161 (Calculus) seems to get most of the votes.  You’ll get to experience the wonderful world of Calculus in the first semester of your first year at Queen’s.  Keep up with the readings, and you’ll be laughing during finals.  (Also, pay attention in Grade 12 Calculus!)

If you have any other questions, feel free to email me at 8tykw@queensu.ca or you can also find me on LinkedIn by searching Katherine Wong Too Yen.