Hey I never really considered Queen's but I have a ton of friends that really want to go there. I hear it has a beautiful campus...but don't know much more about it. There is this one teacher at my highschool who actually stops grade 12's in the hall and gives them a speech about why they should go to Queen's...its like he is trying to round us up haha. I will talk to some of my friends for you though and get their imput.

Hi, I guess I could give you some reasons why I chose Queens. And in return I hope it helps you out a little bit.

Currently it's my first year in the B.Mus program (Bachelor of Music), and I'm living on residence. Queen's is very well known for having a beautiful campus, and it's absolutely true. Most of the buildings here are made of limestone, and have a very scholarly appeal to them. The only down-side about the campus right now is that there is a LOT of construction going on, and I've heard them say that it may last for at least 4 more years (so basically the year I get out, they'll finally stop). Not that there's anything wrong with the construction, it would just be a lot more prettier without it. And definately if you're looking for a Harry Potter-esque school, Queen's would definately be an option. We have our own "Harry Potter Reading Room" at the top of Dunning Library, if you ever happen to visit here.

We're known, i believe, for having the most clubs than any other university. For instance this year I was part of the Queen's Swing Club. Which is a very rare club to find at any other university (except maybe Carlton or something).

Queen's is the only school with it's government run entirely by students. This to many people is an appealing factor because it means there's more opportunities for getting a place within the government, if that floats your boat. This year I was the floor rep for my residence building (Adelaide one of the 3 all girl residences, besides west campus) which is considered a part of the MCRC (our student government)

Not to be one to boast, but our FROSH week kicks every other school's butt every year. It's been stated so in Maclean's. A LOT of cheering, and enthusiasm.. Plus of course the dances, hypnotist and did I mention we even got to see Metric, for free? Just because we were a Queen's frosh-y. Definately makes you proud
If the campus beauty doesn't catch your intrest, main campus is literally a 2 min walk from the lake. And skating on the lake is unbelievable.

Downtown is just a 10-15 min walk away from us, and it takes even less time by bus. Our downtown has your basic department stores (S&R, Giant Tiger). plus of course movie theatres (a main theatre, and a Screening Room.. which plays more independent/foreign films not really sought after by the general public.. for instance I recently saw Persepolise. Exceptionally good film).. plus your basic downtown chic metro-toronto stores like Three Boutique and Urban Trade. There are also really amazing restaurants downtown, and a Indigo/Chapters/Starbucks. And probably the fanciest Tim Hortons you've ever seen. I love downtown, if you need me to expand I will.

That being said, you don't really need a car to get anywhere.. everything is attainable by bus, and through the AMS (Alma Matra Society) as long as you show your student cards you'll recieve free bus rides to anywhere you need to go.

I hear the night life is amazing. I don't really go out to party much, so it's not really my thing, besides a lot of the clubs/bars are for 19+ which I am not, though sometimes they have all ages events. And downtown/nightlife is a really great place to check out the local music scene, which is fantastic if i might say in a "Music Student" way. Tokio Hotel was playing a while ago, plus renditions of Tim Burton's The Nightmare before christmas, by the local drama theatres.

If you are a religious person, we have churches tht support a many religions.. most can be found along johnson street. For instance, I'm orthodox, so i was really great to have an orthodox church that was a 15min walk from my residence.

And the thing that drew me in about Queen's, and I suppose Kingston in general, is that downtown and the surrounding areas, because it's so close to the school, Kingston is bascially a "Student downtown" heavily populated by us.

In terms of safety, it's really nice. It's definately a safe place to live in. I'm from Toronto, and sometimes when I walk down there with a group of my friends i'm pretty cautious and on my guard. but in kingston you can walk alone at night (if you really wanted to) and it wouldn't be a problem. Besides, at Queen's we have the "blue light" system. you can find more about that on the website.

If your into the symphony, you can see the Kingston Symphony Orchestra perform for $10... because you're a student. And though it's nothing like the Toronto Symphony Orchestra... or the NY Philarmonic, they're still pretty good and a good event to relax at on the weekends.

ahhhh I should probably stop... but if you have any more questions feel free to ask, I don't mind.
I hope this has helped you out a bit!

:3

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at Queen's studying Music/Piano '11

My thoughts:

+ Awesome social scene on campus
+ Really like Common Ground (student run coffee/whatever place)
+ Really like Queen's Pub
+ My department throws a poker night in the lab on campus and we get trashed, highlight of the term
+ Beautiful campus and really accessible
+ I liked the caf in first year, too many people complain
+ Tir Nan Og, Merchant Tap House, Copper Penny, Morrison's, etc.
- Construction going on
- I find housing to be expensive second year, it would be more expensive in Toronto, but I have friends in Guelph that are paying $325/month and I could really use a cheaper place, granted they are a bus ride from campus. I pay $400/month+utilities and am a 12 minute walk from campus which is totally doable.
- The "downtown" is a little spread out for my likes, I am from Toronto though so that explains it. Everything is still walkable though
- The bus system is retarded, you don't need to use it much though

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Uschi
Queen's '10

what would you say is the amount of minorities. are there clubs, social gatherings and stuff like that for them?

What would you say about the residences? Even though I think you can't choose and its all by a lottery system, is there any specific one that I should be gunning for? Or rather praying I don't get stuck with?

Ah. I just replied to a different post talking about diversity or somthing of the sort at Queen's University, but that was before I saw this post, and apparently I replied to the wrong one haha because all I was saying was how I was accepted to Queen's but my parents want me to stay and go to University in town instead. This is kind of a bummer and even more so now that I've read some of the things posted about Queens. I suppose I will just have to suck it up though; maybe I can always transfer after a couple years can't I if I still want to? I'm going into education with English as a major and want to minor in Kinesiology..