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Admission Process

At Smith School of Business, we are committed to providing first-class customer service and an exceptional experience for every student. From your first contact with us, throughout the program, to long after graduation, you will experience world-class customer service. We strongly encourage our applicants to arrange a visit to Smith School of Business during the application process. An overwhelming number of applicants who visit us realize very quickly that Smith is the right choice for them.

Step One

Preliminary Assessment

Application Advisors will work with you through every step of the application process. Begin your preliminary assessment by completing the online application form and attaching a scanned copy of resume and your transcripts.

An Application Advisor will review and contact you (normally within 2-3 business days) and suggest helpful ways to strengthen your file. To speak with an Application Advisor, call toll-free 1.888.393.2622 or use the chat function at the bottom of this page.

Step Two

Complete your Application File

Your Application Advisor will work with you to ensure that your application is not only complete but presents you and your qualifications in the best possible light. They will ensure your completed file includes:

Complete your application form online

A current resume that includes academic experience, work experience, memberships in professional associations, and volunteer and community activities.

An official transcript sent from each post-secondary institution you have attended must be issued and sealed by the respective institution. Please have the official transcript be sent directly from the university to our office:

The Stephen J.R. Smith School of Business
Goodes Hall, Queen's University, room 338
Kingston, Ontario, Canada
K7L 3N6

If the university will not send transcripts directly, the applicant can send the transcript to us. The original envelope must remain unopened with its seals signed and stamped by the university.

If the transcripts are not in English, you will be required to complete one of the two steps below:

  • Provide WES assessment for each transcript you are submitting.
  • Official transcript can be translated into English by an official translator, and then sent to us with the English translation. The translation must be notarized by a notary public, a lawyer or your university.

Please note: In some cases, International applicants may be required to provide a WES transcript evaluation regardless of the language they are submitted in.

Official test results

Please note:

  • A GMAT or GRE is mandatory, though a GMAT is recommended for applicants who wish to pursue a career in the Finance or Consulting industries. Therefore, we highly recommend that you thoroughly prepare for and write the GMAT.
  • You can start an application without a GMAT/GRE test. We understand the impact of COVID-19 has restricted testing centers from offering in person testing, which may stall you completing your application. Therefore, for exceptional candidates who qualify on all other requirements, you may be considered for a conditional offer.

Choose from:

TOEFL iBT (internet-based test) score of 100 overall, with a minimum of 24 on speaking and writing. The MBA TOEFL test code is 5779.

IELTS score of 7.0 (Academic). The IELTS test is available in two test formats: Academic or General Training. All candidates take the same Listening and Speaking modules. It is the Reading and Writing components that differ. The Academic version of IELTS measures English language proficiency needed for an academic, higher learning environment. This is the format that is required for an application to the Smith School of Business. After you have taken the test, please arrange with the testing agency to send your score electronically to the Smith MBA program, at the Smith School of Business. There is no need to send a paper score sheet.

Please note: All students who have graduated from an English-language university, or whom have studied in English, do not require further proof of English proficiency.

A cover letter outlining current responsibilities and assignments, career accomplishments, reasons for applying to the Full-time MBA and your professional and personal goals.

References will be provided a link by your Application Advisor.

Your Application Advisor will provide you with a link to the KIRA Platform for you to complete these questions. You will be asked 3 random questions which are designed to be answered without advanced preparation allowing the Admissions Committee to get to know you in a real time sense; highlighting how quickly and concisely you can formulate an answer.

Candidates whose admission file shows strong potential to be a good fit for the program may be invited for an interview with members of the Admissions Committee. Completed either in person or through a web platform such as Zoom, the interview is an opportunity for candidates to clearly demonstrate their motivation for the program. If selected, interviews are compulsory and customized based on the background and experience of every applicant.

Ready to Apply?

There is no application fee. Admission to the program is competitive. We have a "rolling admission" policy and applications are considered as they are received – we encourage you to apply early as space and academic scholarships are limited. Applications are reviewed immediately upon receipt of completed files and admission decisions are rendered as soon as reference checks are completed.

We hold all application materials in complete confidence.

Begin your Application

Please note: Admission to this program is highly competitive. Simply meeting the admission requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the program.

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Application Advice

Each candidate's file will be considered in its entirety. Consideration will be given to previous academic performance, work experience, letters of reference, and your GMAT score. If you fall a little short on one parameter, but are strong on the others, you may well be a qualified candidate for this program.

Our next class starts in January 2025. Applications are currently being accepted online and are reviewed on an ongoing basis until we have selected the best class members.

Once you submit the online portion of your MBA application, we will contact you by email to advise you on what is needed to complete your application.

International Students

Due to the impacts of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), we are strongly suggesting that all international applicants applying for our January 2025 intake complete their applications before the end of August. Given the unpredictable study permit processing times, and the fact that many Biometric Collection Centres (VACs) across the globe are currently closed, this will certainly make it more difficult to secure a study permit in time to start the MBA in January.

The international application deadline is September 1, 2024. International applicants must submit their applications with sufficient time for study visa processing. We strongly encourage all international students to apply as early as possible.

All international students (not including Permanent Residents) are required to obtain a Canadian Study Permit in order to study in Canada and complete the Full-time MBA program. Students may apply for this Permit once they have received an offer of admission from Smith School of Business. Depending on your country of citizenship you may also be required to have a Temporary Resident Visa to enter Canada. You should begin the application process as soon as you receive your offer of admission from Smith.

The Queen’s University International Centre is a key resource for all our international students. Their expertise includes, but aren’t limited to; permits, visas, taxes and work permits.

To determine your student visa requirements and to apply for a student visa go to Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

Note: Acceptance into the Full-time MBA does not guarantee nor imply acceptance of your application for a study permit. You should not take any final steps, such as moving to Canada, purchasing plane tickets, or quitting your job, until your Study Permit is approved.

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