1. What is AEO?

Advanced Entry Opportunity (AEO) is a pre-admission status to the HBA program offered to exceptional secondary school students. It is available to students who choose to study at Western or one of the affiliated colleges in the faculty of their choice for their first two years of university. You do not come to the Ivey HBA program until your 3rd and 4th years of university. Approximately ⅔ of our HBA class are formerly AEO students. The remaining ⅓ are students from Western and other universities who discover an interest in business during their first two years of study.

A competitive AEO application includes:
- 93%+ average in your final year of secondary school
- Completion of a mathematics course for university-bound students
- Demonstrated leadership in extracurricular activities, community involvement, and/or work experience

If AEO status interests you, the application is a two-step process:

1. Apply to admission to Western or one of its affiliated university colleges through the Ontario Universities Application Centre (OUAC) at www.ouac.on.ca. Choose any academic program or module at Western for your first two years of university study. When you choose your Western program, you also need to check the box indicating your interest in Ivey’s AEO status.

2. The AEO application is a separate online application that is accessed through our website.
 

2. Can I do any program at Western for my first two years?

We recommend that students take whatever courses they are interested in for their first two years. There are only a few programs (for example: Media Theory and Production, Nursing) that are not open to students interested in AEO status. 

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3. How important is my leadership profile versus my grades?
The admission criteria for the HBA program is based partly on academics and partly on leadership in activities. The objective of the HBA program is to prepare leaders for the future. One of the key reasons certain companies hire students from Ivey, is our emphasis on leadership involvement prior to starting the HBA program and also during the HBA program. Leadership is one factor where our students differentiate themselves from students in other business schools. Anyone can be involved in extracurricular activities, such as being a member of the club. However, we are seeking energetic students who are achievement oriented. 

 

On the AEO application we ask applicants to consider all the activities (ex. clubs, sports teams, students government, arts and culture groups, volunteering, paid jobs, etc.) they've been involved in for the past 4 years and to choose 2 they feel best demonstrate their leadership experience or their potential for leadership. We assess leadership by looking for details in your essay descriptions of the following qualities: teamwork (experience working with, or leading a group of people), initiative (did you see an opportunity and take action? Did you introduce something or improve something?), achievement (what were your goals and how were they met; were you or your group recognized for your accomplishments?), commitment (the time you invest in your activity), and breadth (diversity in your interests).

 

4. Do I need to take all three math courses in high school?

 

The prerequisite for AEO status is completion of a mathematics course for university bound students. In Ontario, any of the three U level math courses meets our requirements - on is not preferred over another. In addition, please ensure that you are aware of any math requirements for the program you choose to study for your first two years before entering the Ivey HBA.

 

Math SL is considered equivalent to a grade 12 U-level math course and is sufficient for AEO status and entry to the HBA Program.

 

What is the difference between the Ivey HBA program and the BMOS program at Western? 

The Ivey HBA and the Bachelor of Management and Organizational Studies Programs (the Dan Program) at Western's main campus are structured differently and prepare the students with different knowledge and skills. The BMOS Program is made up of a wide variety of courses from the Faculties of Arts, Social Science, and Science. It is a multi-disciplinary program with opportunities for specialization. Graduates of this program will receive a Bachelor of Management and Organizational Studies degree. If you will to find more about the BMOS program please visit their website at http://mos.uwo.ca/

 

6. What courses am I reccomended to take in high school? 

There are no reccomended courses for the Ivey HBA Program. Our only required course is a grade 12 math course. Keep in mind however, that when you apply for AEO status, you'll be applying to a different program at Western for your first two years. And, we don't prefer any particluar program over another. Our incoming AEO students this year are in various programs from kinesiology to political science to music. You'll want to check the requireed courses for the particular program you choose for your first two years. For more information, please see Western's Viewbook - http://welcome.uwo.ca/previewg/calendars/html
 

7. Why isn't the HBA Program listed on OUAC? 

The HBA program isn't listed at the OUAC site because students ent er it in their third year at university. So, you could apply now for Advanced Entry Opportunity (AEO) or you could apply to the HBA program when you're in your second year at Western or anhy other university. 

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