Matthew’s Journey to Getting Accepted into Queen’s Commerce

Matthew had the drive and determination to succeed in the university admissions process, but his dream of getting into Queen's Commerce seemed so far away. Here’s how he secured his spot in the highly competitive Queen’s Commerce program.

Written by Adam Griffiths and Matthew.

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We’ve all had those moments where we pause and think, “Wow, I really did that.”

For Matthew, one of those moments was receiving his acceptance letter to Queen’s University Commerce—one of the most competitive business programs in Canada. 

But his path wasn’t easy. It required focus, persistence, and the right support.

Here’s his story.

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The Path to Queen’s Commerce

Growing up in British Columbia, the dream of getting into Queen’s seemed really far away from Matthew. 

(4,584.4 km away to be exact.)

“Queen’s Commerce was always my top choice,” Matthew shares. “But I knew getting in wouldn’t be easy. I had strong grades and extracurriculars, but I wasn’t sure how to set myself apart from the thousands of other applicants.”

Matthew’s journey to Queen’s Commerce wasn’t just about submitting a strong application—it was about knowing how to present himself as the best candidate.

Finding His Voice in the Application

Like many students, Matthew’s biggest challenge came in the personal statement and essay portions of the application.

“At first, I didn’t know exactly what to write about,” he admits. “But AdmissionPrep really helped me with that—finding my voice and understanding how to tell my story in a way that would resonate with the admissions committee.”

The Queen’s Commerce program doesn’t just look for good grades—they want well-rounded students with leadership potential and a clear passion for business. Matthew knew he had the qualifications but needed help communicating his unique experiences effectively.

“AdmissionPrep helped me see that I could write about anything, as long as I tied it back to my strengths and future goals,” Matthew explains. “I learned how to connect my experiences to what Queen’s Commerce values most.”

Staying Motivated Through the Process

One of the toughest parts of applying to highly competitive programs is the waiting game. With thousands of applicants, it can take months to hear back—and that can be discouraging.

“At one point, I wasn’t hearing anything back, and it felt overwhelming,” Matthew says. “But AdmissionPrep taught me to play the long game. They helped me stay motivated and keep working on improving my application, even when I wasn’t sure what the outcome would be.”

Matthew didn’t just stop at one application. He continued refining his essays, participating in activities that demonstrated leadership, and polishing his resume. This persistence paid off when he received his Queen’s Commerce acceptance.

The Most Valuable Tool for Admissions

When asked what tool he’d recommend to new AdmissionPrep students, Matthew immediately highlights the Essay Editing team.

“For anyone applying to a program like Queen’s Commerce, I would definitely recommend the Essay Editing team,” Matthew says. “They’re incredible. They don’t just fix your writing—they help you find your voice and make sure your application stands out. They gave me detailed feedback that showed me where I could improve and helped me understand how to present myself in the best possible way.”

How AdmissionPrep Helped Matthew Get Into Queen’s Commerce

Thanks to his hard work and the guidance of AdmissionPrep, Matthew is now preparing to join the Queen’s Commerce program and pursue his passion for business.

AdmissionPrep has helped countless students like Matthew gain admission to top programs like Queen’s Commerce. If you’d like to know more about how AdmissionPrep can support you or your child in the university admissions process, take our free assessment to see if you qualify for our program.

Matthew’s Favourite Memory

“Probably when I was done & got into Queen’s! And winning $25,000 in funding. That was really sweet!”

If you’re ready to secure your spot in a top Canadian university, just like Matthew, fill out our assessment and started with AdmissionPrep.

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