Step-by-step guide for incoming first-year students

 

Congratulations! We are excited you have made the decision to spend the next few years studying at Queen's University.

  • This Next Steps website will ensure you are prepared for your first year. All incoming undergraduate students should review and complete all the Next Steps check list that apply to you!
  • We are currently in the process of updating this page. You will start hearing from us - The Student Experience Office - weekly, starting in June 2023 at your queensu.ca email address. These emails will ensure you are aware of upcoming deadlines, as well as online and in-person socials and summer programming so you are set for the start of the academic year!
  • Check back here often for updates throughout spring and summer 2023.
  • One of the key elements and central to the quality of your Queen’s experience, is your connection to community. We are currently planning a variety of summer opportunities to connect you with peers and prepare you for fall studies.

Bader College students can also visit the Bader College website. 

International students can visit the Queen'sUBound Next Steps for a Smooth Transition webpage for specific travel and arrival-to-Canada information, and the Queen's University International Centre's website.

You can also explore all of the student resources and supports available across Student Affairs and the campus.

 

Spring/Summer 2023 Steps

 

Step 1: Activate/Confirm your Queen's NetID 

Step 2: Apply to Queen's Residence and Pay the $525 Deposit

Deadline: June 8, 2023 @ 4PM ET

 

Visit the Residence website for more information about the application and room selection process, as well as move-in.

Looking for housing in Kingston? Do you have questions about the Kingston student rental market, your search, lease agreement, your rights as a tenant, landlord rights and responsibilities, and housemates? Connect with Adam King, our Off-Campus Living Advisor.

Step 3: Set up your Queen's Email

Mid-June

All new students will receive an email in mid-June with information about your Queen's email account. Log in and make sure everything is set up to your satisfaction.

Log on to your Queen's email

From this point forward, Queen's will only communicate with you via your Queen's email account, so be sure to keep checking it regularly!

 

 

We will email the guide to your Queen's email account in mid-June. It contains detailed information on:

  • How to register for courses
  • Tuition and fees
  • How to make payment
  • How to submit your photo for your Student ID card.

Step 4: Participate in our First-Year Foundation (FYF) Program

Starting mid-June

The Student Experience Office’s First-Year Foundation program starts this summer and gives you online and in-person opportunities to build your community, support your transition, and find your path to success for your first year at Queen’s.

The program includes: 

Check out our Fall Orientation website for more information on what to look forward to when you arrive on campus!

Are you...

Join us on-campus for our Summer Orientation to Academics and Resources (SOAR)! During this one-day program in early July, you will explore campus, learn about support resources, get answers to your questions, and make connections with staff, faculty, upper-year students and your peers. All incoming first-year students and their parents, families, and supporters are welcome. Registration will open this spring!

 

 

Start the year off on the right foot. Stay strong throughout the year. Register to be matched with a QSuccess mentor who can support your transition from high school to university, connect you with resources, and help you build connections and community. Registration opens in July.

Step 5: Admission Information


Review your final grades on your transcript, or on the OUAC website.

  • Contact your guidance counsellor and Queen’s Undergraduate Admission if your academic data is inaccurate. We will use the information we have to determine if you meet the conditions on your offer. 

If you will not meet the conditions on your offer of admission, please let us know as soon as possible by emailing admresp@queensu.ca

Step 6: Apply for Financial Assistance

Starting in Spring

The 2023-24 OSAP application opens in April. 

Apply as soon as possible to ensure funding is available for the start of the academic year.

Apply for OSAP
>> Do not report your Queen’s awards on your OSAP application – learn more about OSAP and awards.

If you live in another province/territory, check the government student assistance website where you live for information about when the application is available, and information about how to report any awards you have received. Apply as soon as you can to ensure your funding is available for the start of the academic year.

Apply for governmental financial assistance outside of Ontario.

 

You will automatically be re-assessed for scholarship consideration once your final grades have been received. If your grades have increased since your offer of admission, we will review your final grades and notify you via email and SOLUS in mid-August if you become eligible for a grades-based admission scholarship.

Step 7: Set up Academic Accommodations

Starting in June

If you experience barriers in the academic learning environment due to disability-related functional impacts, connect with Queen’s Student Accessibility Services (QSAS) as soon as possible to discuss whether academic accommodations at Queen's may help remove or reduce those barriers.  Don't wait until the start of the year - start the process now!

Learn how to register with QSAS
Learn about our disability documentation requirements
Contact our Intake Coordinator for more information

Please note: if you have applied to live in Residence and require an accommodation for your living environment, this is a separate process that can be accessed via the Student Residence and Dining Portal.

 

Step 8: Manage your Finances

Starting in Summer

Check SOLUS (under ‘View Financial Aid’ link) to find out when your award(s) will be applied to your account.

The first half of the award value will be applied to in mid-August before the Fall term tuition payment deadline.

The second half will be applied to your SOLUS student account in early December before the Winter term tuition payment deadline.
 
For all awards administered by Queen's (e.g. Queen's bursaries, awards, and scholarships granted on admission), payments will be shown and applied on your SOLUS account.

Learn more about navigating SOLUS.

Learn more about paying tuition and fees.

 

Make sure your current information is up to date in the Finances section of SOLUS.

Your banking information allows Queen’s to process any refunds directly into your bank account.

Please note: Queen’s will not deduct payments directly from your bank account, and any awards will be deposited to your student account, not your bank account.

If you are coming to Canada for the first time, you will have the opportunity to open a Canadian bank account and update your information after you arrive.

Update your banking information.

The Queen’s ‘Verification of Enrolment’ form allows you to withdraw money from your RESP. This form is available in your SOLUS account. All you have to do is download it and send it to your RESP provider.

Learn more about RESP.

All fall tuition and fees are due in September. More details coming soon!

Step 9: Update your Fall 2022 Student Contact Information

Starting in Summer

Please update your Fall 2023 address, phone number and emergency contact information in SOLUS when it's finalized.

Watch for a link in your “To Do” list (on the top right of your SOLUS screen) as a reminder.

Step 10: Prep to Stay Well

Student Wellness Services can support many of your physical, mental, and sexual health needs.

Queen's strongly encourages you to make sure all your immunizations are up to date all your immunizations up to date (see Ontario’s routine immunization schedule) and that you are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Visit your health care professional and review your immunizations before the start of the term. Please bring a copy of your immunization record to Queen's; you may need it if you visit Student Wellness Services.

For more information about vaccines in residence, visit the Queen's Residences FAQs.

 

If you currently take any prescription medications, contact the health care professional who prescribed them and see if it is appropriate to bring a 3-month supply of your medications with you to school.  

You can transfer your prescription to a local Kingston pharmacy (e.g., DrugSmart on campus) and/or book a medical appointment at Student Wellness Services.

If you have a health condition that requires ongoing specialized health care in Kingston, ask your health care professional to send referrals to community specialists in the Kingston area. If you need assistance, Student Wellness Services can help. 

Step 11: Tell us About Your Food Allergies and Dietary Needs

Starting in May

Hospitality Services take allergies and dietary needs very seriously. Dietary needs include food allergies, intolerance, food-related medical conditions, or dietary needs related to religious or cultural observance. Please take the following steps before arriving on campus:

  1. Complete Hospitality Services’ Allergy/Dietary Needs Intake Form accessible through the Student Portal (available to incoming students beginning mid-May). 
  2. Book an appointment with Hospitality Services’ Registered Dietitian to discuss how your dietary needs can be accommodated on the Residence meal plan. All students are encouraged to “Ask Before You Eat."
  3. Learn more about Hospitality Services and Dietary Accommodations.
  4. Get details about the Residence meal plan.
  5. Watch Hospitality Services' video about their allergy program.

Living off-campus? You can buy one of our off-campus meal plan options any time! 

 

Step 12: Enrolment & Course Selection

Starting in July

If you are in one of the following programs, you will have some, or all, of your courses automatically added to your schedule by your Faculty or School: 

  • Commerce
  • Concurrent Education
  • Music
  • Nursing
  • Kinesiology
  • Engineering and Applied Science
  • Health Sciences

Log in to SOLUS beginning in July to view your pre-enrolled class schedule.

Students who choose some or all of their courses will be able to see their Enrolment Appointment time in SOLUS beginning in July. This is also when you may begin adding classes to your Shopping Cart.

If you are choosing some or all of your courses, beginning in July you can access your SOLUS Student Centre to view your enrolment appointment and begin adding courses to your shopping cart. Your enrolment appointment is your specific date and time when you may enrol in your courses. In advance of the start of your enrolment appointment, it is a good idea to add your courses to your shopping cart and build your schedule so that you are ready to enrol once your Enrolment Appointment begins. 

Please note: You won't be able to actually enrol in the courses until your Enrolment Appointment begins.

There are three Enrolment Periods (2023 dates coming soon):

Class Selection I -- Restricted Enrolment - Your enrolment appointment time will be your first opportunity to enrol in your courses. We suggest that you enrol as soon as your appointment time begins. Some courses may have enrolment restrictions on them. These restrictions are there to ensure that students who require certain courses receive priority. 

Class Selection II -- Open Enrolment - Most enrolment restrictions will be removed, although some online classes may still have restrictions.  

Open Enrolment – You can start making any changes to your schedule.  If you need help, please contact your Faculty/School.

Read the Guide to Registration and Fees for a step-by-step guide on how to enrol in courses. If you need help selecting courses, please contact your Faculty/School.

Connect with Us!

If you haven't done so already, make sure you connect with Queen's on social media. The Student Experience office is your information hub for first year and beyond!

>> Connect with the Student Experience Office on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.