Queen’s Commerce: Supplementary Application Examples & Templates 2025/2026

If you are looking for guidance on the Queen’s (Smith) Commerce supplementary application, as well as Queen’s Commerce essay examples and templates, then you’ve come to the right place. 

This Application Prep guide reflects the 2025/2026 application and past applications for reference.

IMPORTANT: This year’s application, students will write one written response and respond to one video interview question. Keep reading to learn how to approach these.

Before you dive in, it’s important to understand that the admissions committee receives thousands of applications every year. To help you stand out from the crowd, you need to demonstrate a clear sense of self, strong life experience, and exemplary communication skills.

Our ‘full student’ coaching process does exactly that. If you’re not working with a coach, be sure to read the Self-Awareness, Goal-Setting, and Narrative Communication Skills Guides.

The Narrative Communication Approach™ is a particularly useful storytelling framework that helps you tell a clear and concise story, while creating an emotional connection with the reader. All Queen’s Commerce essay examples and templates use this approach.

We use essay templates to show you a suggested essay structure that uses the Narrative Communication Approach™. Using this structure does not mean your essays will be the same as other students. That’s like saying using the 3 Act Structure makes every play, movie, and novel the same. The content of that story makes it unique.

We also suggest following the 5-step essay writing process we teach, seen here.

If you’re serious about getting into Queen’s Commerce and reaching your fullest post-secondary potential, connect with a coach. It’s never too early to receive coaching.

For more information about Queen’s Commerce, check out our Queen’s Commerce Program Guide and this informative video that one of our coaches, a QC program alumnus, created to help students just like you.

2025/2026 Queen’s Commerce Supplementary Application 

For the year 2025-2026, applicants are required to complete the following:

#	Format	Preparation	Response Time	Length
1	Written	n/a	10 m	335 words
2	Video	2 m	2 m	n/a

While there are no official dress code requirements, you should make sure to dress appropriately and set up in a comfortable space with a reliable Internet connection.

Please note that the deadline for the submission of the application is February 15, 2026, at 11:59 PM EST.

And, this year, there is an additional requirement that you MUST be aware of:

• Students are required to download, review, sign, and upload a document certifying that their submission is accurate, true, written by themselves, and not generated by AI.

Accommodations and technical support are available to those who require them (reach out to suppapp@queensu.ca). We recommend you practice with your coach for optimal performance. Click here if you don’t have a coach yet.

Queens Commerce Application Evaluation

In the 2025 admissions process, Queen’s is primarily looking at four factors in an applicant (rated across scores of developing, basic, competent, strong, and excellent) for written responses:

• Description of challenge: An applicant’s ability to clearly describe a meaningful and authentic challenge, demonstrating depth and personal relevance rather than a superficial example.
• Initiative: An applicant’s ability to take initiative in addressing a specific challenge and/or seeking assistance for that scenario if appropriate.
• Problem-solving ability: An applicant’s ability to demonstrate problem-solving skills, an ability to work effectively under changing conditions, and embrace change or new ideas.
• Reflection: An applicant’s ability to reflect on their experience and demonstrate personal growth and maturity.

Make sure you review Queen’s evaluation rubric for written and video responses.

To really stand out and leave a positive impression with the evaluators, you need to demonstrate high level real-life communication skills. If you want to learn how to improve yours to maximize your chances of getting into your dream school, read our Narrative Communication Approach™ Guide and our Deductive Communication Approach™ Guide.

If you want to further maximize your chances, connect with a coach for personalized expert advice for your particular situation.

Queen’s Commerce Supplementary Application: Written – Possible Questions 2025/2026

Below are Queen’s Commerce questions. The questions you receive will be randomly generated.

As you’ll see, most of the questions prompt you to tie in your own experiences with values of inclusivity and diversity.

Types of questions may look something like:

• Describe a situation where you realized you could not move forward on your own. What led you to seek support, and how did that moment shape your thinking or actions afterward?
• Share an experience where you were given input that challenged you or made you uncomfortable. How did you respond, and what impact did it have on what you did next?
• Think of a moment when you encountered a major setback or barrier. What steps did you take to address it, and what insights did you gain from the process?
• Recall an experience where you were disappointed in yourself or felt you had disappointed someone else. How did you navigate that situation, and what did it teach you?
• Give an example of a time you had to find creative ways to secure support or resources for something you were working on beyond your regular coursework.
• Describe a situation where a conventional solution was not enough, and you had to approach the problem differently. What did that experience reveal about how you think or work?
• Share an example of how you adjusted to an unexpected change. What did you do to move forward, and what did that experience help you understand about yourself?

Unsure of how to answer those types of questions? What experience, interest, person, or issue to bring up (depending on the question you’re asked)? Focus on options that will help you:

• Highlight key skills that best resonate with who you are, like leadership, problem solving, time management etc.
• Identify and elaborate on the specific traits that Queen’s looks for like commitment and dedication.
• Demonstrate your values, like making an impact on the world, or connecting with people around you. 
• Be unique and authentic.
• Narrate an experience when you evolved as a person thanks to the learning outcome that the experience/person initiated.

Queen’s Commerce Supplementary Application: Video – Possible Questions

Here are some of the sample questions that applicants might encounter:

• Describe a moment when paying close attention to others was more important than sharing your own thoughts. How did this shape what the group ultimately achieved?
• Share an example of a time you helped a team regain focus or direction when things felt scattered. What actions did you take to move things forward?
• Recall a situation where you felt irritated or challenged while working with others but chose to respond thoughtfully. What influenced how you handled it?
• Describe a time when you noticed a minor problem early and took steps to address it before it escalated. What was the impact on the group?
• Think of a time when you initially disagreed with someone you were working with. How did your understanding evolve, and what did you take away from that experience?

Queen’s Commerce Supplementary Application: Video – Tips

Before starting your actual video response, take some time to get comfortable speaking on camera by following these best practices:

• Practice in front of a mirror to build confidence and become aware of your facial expressions and body language.
• Record yourself using your phone or computer camera; it feels very different from speaking face-to-face.
• Watch your recordings back and take note of what you do well and what you could improve.
• Work with your coach: send them short practice recordings for feedback, and also rehearse live during your sessions. This will help you refine your delivery and make the most of your preparation time.

Some of the most common mistakes students make include:

• Not maintaining eye contact with the camera
• Not speaking with an intentional pace (don’t rush!). Try speeding up and slowing down at strategic moments to emphasize your message
• Saying ‘ummm’ or ‘like’ too often. Instead, try taking a breath or pause to fight these tendencies

You will find that practicing in front of a coach is especially important as they can help you identify areas of improvement from an admissions’ perspective. Reach out to a coach to get started.

Be careful! Interviewing is a crucial skill that should not be underestimated. Leverage our interview preparation guide, find a mentor, a friend, or work with a coach, to make sure that you are prepared to answer any question.

Queen’s Commerce Supplementary Application: Video – Evaluation

Make sure you review Queen’s evaluation rubric for written and video responses.

In regards to video recorded responses, Queen’s is also primarily looking at four factors in an applicant (rated across scores of developing, basic, competent, strong, and excellent):

• Quality of example: An applicant’s ability to share a clear, authentic, and specific example that effectively illustrates their experience or perspective.
• Initiative: An applicant’s ability to take initiative in addressing a specific challenge and/or seeking assistance for that scenario if appropriate.
• Awareness of contribution and impact: An applicant’s ability to recognize their role and influence within a team or community setting, showing awareness of how their actions affect others.
• Reflection: An applicant’s ability to reflect on their experience and demonstrate personal growth and maturity.

Make sure you review Queen’s evaluation rubric for written and video responses.

Queen’s Commerce Supplementary Application: Video – Template

• Section 1: Context – Experience (<30 secs)
  • Introduction to the activity or organization and its foundational principles or goals.

• Section 2: Catalyst – Challenge (<30 secs)
  • A specific challenge or experience faced that highlights the core criteria or theme in focus.

• Section 3: Outcome – Impact (<30 secs)
  • Steps taken and the results achieved, showcasing growth, learning, and impact.

• Section 4: Reflection – Lessons Learned (<30 secs)
  • Reflection on the experience and its broader implications or lessons learned.

Queen’s Commerce Supplementary Application: Video – Sample Response

Here’s an example for the question “Describe an experience where you helped create an environment in which people felt comfortable sharing different perspectives. What did you do, and what was the outcome?“

Remember, do not copy this example. This is only meant to be illustrative and give you an idea of what a good response looks like. Your authenticity and originality are key to creating a compelling application.

These components are:

• Part 1: Hook(Optional)
  • Quickly capture the reader’s attention and set up the essay so they know what to expect
• Part 2: Context
  • Set the scene, answer the 5Ws (who, what, when, where, and why?). You can use a lot of the insights from your Student Identity Blueprint™ here.
• Part 3: Catalyst
  • An event or opportunity that caused a shift or change from what was normal.
• Part 4: Outcome 
  • The impact and result of the event or opportunity that occurred in the Catalyst section. Focus on intrinsic and extrinsic outcomes here.
• Part 5: Reflection
  • The moral of the story. This is where you discuss what you learned and the continued impact of your experience.  

You’ve Got a Dedicated Coach in Your Corner

For over a decade, we have worked with thousands of students to help them achieve more than they ever thought possible.

Our coaches have a strong success rate supporting students as they apply to Queen’s Commerce, among other top university programs.

Our 1-on-1 Youth Coaching fills that gap that most high schools miss. We can help you build self-awareness through probing questions and assessments, set bigger goals to elevate your extracurriculars and future career plans, and improve skills that matter on supplementary applications, such as interviewing, written communication, critical thinking, and creativity.

We use a coaching methodology, called ‘full student’ development, that’s been proven to increase your chances of admission to top-tier universities and obtaining competitive jobs/internships.

So, what are you waiting for? Fulfill your post-secondary potential with the mentorship and coaching you’ve always wanted! 🙂

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DISCLAIMER: While the information in this blog is considered to be true and correct at the date of publication, and although our team makes every attempt to ensure that the information is accurate and vetted by university staff, Youthfully is not in any way liable for the accuracy of any information printed and stored or in any way interpreted and used by a user. Youthfully is an independent preparation platform and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of Queen’s University. This document is designed solely for preparation and skill-building purposes. It does not knowingly reproduce or provide official application questions. Official application prompts and instructions are provided directly by institutions and may change from year to year.