Creating an environment where everyone feels valued and respected enhances the sense of belonging across the Queen’s community. By embracing diversity and fostering equitable opportunities, the university promotes innovation, collaboration, and academic excellence. Learn more about this initiative.
The First-Generation Admission Pathway offers comprehensive supports for students pursuing post-secondary education. Through our programming, our team is available to assist you from the moment you consider applying to the summer before you start your first year!
First-generation supports:
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General application support
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Academic advising
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Education & career assistance
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Financial planning ( OSAP, scholarships & bursaries)
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Parental assurance
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First-year transition supports.
Who you are
Eligibility:
A first-generation student is a student among the first generation of their family (excluding siblings) to pursue post-secondary education.
A student could be eligible for this pathway if:
- Their parents did not pursue post-secondary education.
- Even if they have a sibling who has attended a post-secondary institution.
If they are affiliated with one of our community partners.
Admission will be offered to candidates whose total application shows strong evidence of academic preparedness and potential. Students will be introduced to the contacts and services available at the Student Experience Office and the Student Awards Office during the application process and upon admission. Queen’s University encourages students to access these services throughout their time at Queen’s. Students who are admitted through this pathway will also be encouraged to use the academic advising and support services available to all students at Queen’s University.
Workshops and Resource Guides
- See the upcoming events section if you’re interested in attending our post-secondary workshops.
- Email us at 1gen@queensu.ca for a resource guide if you can't attend a workshop. These packages include a high-level overview of the information presented in each workshop to ensure you don’t miss a thing!
We partner with community-based agencies and high schools serving equity-deserving youth to extend our reach and ensure students have the support, knowledge and resources to pursue post-secondary education.
Over 20+ workshop offerings:
- Discover Queen's: Introduction to the First-Generation Admission Pathway
- Navigating OUAC & Post-Secondary Applications
- OSAP & Financing your education
Partnering Opportunities:
- Consider a partnership with us to assist your students in navigating higher education! Contact us at 1gen@queensu.ca.
Request a campus trip:
- If you are interested in bringing your group to Kingston, ON, to familiarize themselves with the undergraduate experience, contact us to organize a full-day campus trip that allows students to connect with our campus partners (student awards, student experience office, etc.).
Keep up to date with us by subscribing to our newsletter! Email us at 1gen@queensu.ca
Using the first-generation pathway was exceptionally helpful throughout the application process. I received invaluable help through Pathways to Education from mentors who could answer my questions about the application process, ³ÉÈË´óƬ, and Kingston. It gave me the confidence I needed to go into my first year with excitement and helped make my time at ³ÉÈË´óƬ incredible so far. 
Wei Hu
Smith School of Business ’24
The First-Generation Admissions program was highly beneficial as it guided me through the application process and informed me about numerous bursary and scholarship applications. The program's one-on-one advising alleviated a lot of stress, and I better understood what university life entailed before arriving on campus.
Anonymous
Community Partners
For a full list of our community partners or to learn more please contact our team 1gen@queensu.ca.
