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Alpha Admissions

The strategy behind a standout AEO application

Ivey AEO admissions coaching

After supporting hundreds of students through the Ivey AEO process, we’ve built a clear, proven approach to help you navigate the portal, craft compelling activity essays, and position your experiences strategically. Here’s exactly how the process works — and where we come in.

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Step 01

Getting Started | OUAC + Ivey Portal

You can create an Ivey application portal profile before or after submitting your OUAC application. Once the portal is live for the year, you can begin your application anytime.

When applying on OUAC, choose Bachelor of Management and Organizational Studies (BMOS) at Western (Main Campus or Huron). To be considered for AEO, check the box that indicates interest in the Ivey program. Note: Huron applicants will also be required to complete Huron-specific supplementals.

To receive an AEO offer, you must first be accepted into BMOS. While you can technically study any program in your first two years (e.g. MIT, Arts, Engineering), the vast majority of AEO students pursue BMOS at Western’s main campus.

Your Alpha advisor will help you navigate both the OUAC and Ivey portal timelines so nothing slips through the cracks.

Step 02

The Activity Essays — What Counts, What Matters

The Ivey application asks for two main activity essays (500 words each) and up to five additional optional activities (bullet point descriptions).

An “activity” can include

  • School clubs or leadership roles
  • Sports teams (as player or coach)
  • Part-time jobs
  • Internships or summer programs
  • Volunteer positions or passion projects

Each activity submission includes

  • Position Title
  • Organization or Association
  • Start/End Dates
  • Hours per week
  • Reference Name + Contact Info
  • 500-word Activity Description (main essays only)

Optional activities require shorter bullet-point style entries, but should still showcase impact, initiative, and diversity of experience.

We help you choose the strongest activities, structure your essays, and align every word with what Ivey is actually looking for.

Step 03

The Ivey Rubric — What You’re Scored On

Leadership

Guiding, motivating, and empowering others toward a shared goal. Think: team captain, committee chair, peer mentor, or even initiating change within an existing group.

Teamwork

Collaborating effectively, adapting to others’ strengths and weaknesses, staying accountable, and helping your group succeed together.

Initiative

Going beyond what’s expected — starting something new, improving a system, or stepping up without being asked.

Achievement

Did you reach a measurable goal? Surpass expectations? This could be qualitative (great feedback, promotion) or quantitative (growth %, awards, performance results).

Commitment

How long and how consistently were you involved? Weekly hours, duration, and effort beyond the minimum all matter.

Breadth

Are your experiences diverse? Avoid overlap — for example, don’t choose “hockey player” and “hockey coach” as your two main activities. Show range in both the types of activities and the scope within each.

We’ll teach you how to write in a way that hits the rubric directly — with phrases like “I led,” “we collaborated,” “I took initiative,” and “I achieved…”

Step 04

Strategy + Storytelling

Choose two activities that:

  • Best align with the rubric
  • Offer strong, specific examples of impact
  • Show contrast between each other (to demonstrate breadth)

Focus on storytelling. Start with a hook. Include detailed examples. Use action verbs and show reflection. Avoid vague, list-style answers.

Your Alpha advisor will help you map your activities, outline your stories, and give feedback at every stage.

Step 05

References

For each activity, you must include a reference — with name, email, position, and phone number. Your reference will receive an email to confirm the accuracy of your submission.

  • Make sure the reference email is correct.
  • If your reference declines or doesn’t verify, your application will be disqualified.
  • In recent years, some references were asked to write a short paragraph about you.

We’ll guide you on how to choose the right references and how to follow up so nothing gets missed.

Step 06

The Additional Activities (Optional but Strategic)

  • You can submit up to five more activities in a bullet-point format.
  • These won’t include essays, but they still matter.
  • Treat them like a resume — action verbs, clear results, and rubric-aligned phrasing.

Example: “Launched fundraiser for animal shelter, recruited 12 team members, raised $1,200 in 3 weeks — led weekly meetings and coordinated social media outreach”

We’ll help you maximize these entries for impact, even in short form.

Step 07

The Video Response

The video portion is scored and is part of the admissions decision: five timed video responses in Kira Talent, and you must complete them to submit your application. You’ll find the link inside your Ivey portal, under the “video response” section.

  • You must complete your video in Kira Talent before you can submit your Ivey application
  • Practice questions are helpful to get used to the platform, but are not reflective of the real questions
  • If you have an IEP, you can request accommodations (Ivey will send you a new Kira link with adjusted settings)
  • Be sure the email you use in Kira matches the one on your AEO application

Your Alpha advisor will help you prep for the video platform and walk you through the tech and tone.

Step 08

Identity + Community Question (Optional)

At the end of the application, you’ll have the chance to share more about your identity, including:

  • Gender identity
  • Sexual identity
  • Disability
  • Racial identity
  • Indigenous identity
  • First-generation student status

We help you approach this question with thoughtfulness and clarity if you choose to include it.

Step 09

Work With Us

We work 1-on-1 with students to build strategic, standout Ivey AEO applications. That means:

  • Choosing the right activities and references
  • Writing essays that actually hit the rubric
  • Structuring your stories for maximum impact
  • Prepping your video response and tech walk-throughs
  • Reviewing every word before you hit submit

Spots are limited each year. Book your free 20-minute strategy call to see if we’re the right fit.

Book a Free Consultation

Work with us

Build a strategic, standout Ivey AEO application.

Spots are limited each year. Book your free 20-minute strategy call to see if we’re the right fit.

Book a Free ConsultationContact us