How to Secure Ivey AEO: A Guide to Crafting a Strong Supplementary Application
The Ivey AEO Supplementary Application is highly competitive, requiring strong leadership and communication skills. Learn how to craft compelling responses, showcase initiative, and stand out. Get expert coaching with Myls Interview to refine your application and boost your chances of acceptance!
What Is the Ivey AEO Supplementary Application?
Western University’s Ivey School of Business is one of the most prestigious business schools in Canada. Each year, thousands of students apply for Advanced Entry Opportunity (AEO) status—a conditional pre-admission to Ivey’s Honours Business Administration (HBA) program.
While strong grades (typically 92%+) are important, Ivey places significant weight on the Supplementary Application, which evaluates leadership, extracurricular involvement, and work experience.
The application requires students to submit:
- A detailed account of leadership roles and extracurricular involvement.
- A description of work/volunteer experience and its impact.
- Written responses showcasing communication skills and initiative.
Since only about 50% of AEO applicants get accepted, a strong Supplementary Application is essential to securing a spot.
How to Make Your Ivey AEO Application Stand Out
1. Understand Ivey’s Leadership Criteria
Ivey values students who make an impact rather than those who simply participate in activities. Leadership isn’t just about holding a title—it’s about demonstrating initiative and driving change.
Example of a weak response:
“I was a member of my school’s business club and participated in DECA competitions.”
Example of a strong response:
“As VP of my school’s business club, I launched a mentorship program pairing junior students with senior members, increasing club engagement by 40%. I also organized a regional case competition, securing $5,000 in sponsorships and attracting 100+ participants.”
2. Use the Ivey Leadership Template
Structure your experiences using this format:
- Your Role & Organization (What position did you hold?)
- Impact & Responsibilities (What did you achieve?)
- Skills Developed (How did you grow as a leader?)
3. Show Initiative and Problem-Solving
Ivey seeks proactive leaders. Instead of merely listing your responsibilities, showcase instances where you identified a problem and took action.
Example:
Instead of saying, “I volunteered at a food bank,”
say, “I noticed inefficiencies in the food bank’s scheduling, so I designed an online system that reduced wait times by 40% and improved service for 300+ families.”
4. Balance Work, School, and Extracurriculars
If you’ve had a part-time job, highlight how you managed time effectively while maintaining strong academics and extracurricular commitments. Ivey appreciates students who can juggle multiple responsibilities.
5. Polish Your Writing & Get Feedback
- Be concise and impactful—avoid wordy descriptions.
- Focus on showing rather than telling. Instead of saying, “I’m passionate about business,” describe an experience where you applied business principles in real life.
- Get feedback from teachers, mentors, or professional tutoring services to refine your responses.
The Ivey AEO Supplementary Application is your opportunity to prove that you have the leadership skills, initiative, and business acumen to succeed in Ivey’s highly competitive program. By crafting compelling stories, highlighting impact-driven leadership, and demonstrating strong communication skills, you can set yourself apart from thousands of applicants and take the first step toward a career in business.
The Ivey AEO supplementary application isn’t just about listing your achievements—it’s about demonstrating leadership, initiative, and impact through compelling storytelling. Many applicants struggle to convey their experiences effectively, making their applications sound generic. Myls Interview provides expert interview coaching and writing support to help you craft high-impact responses that align with Ivey’s selection criteria. Our tutors will guide you through structuring your leadership experiences, improving your written application, and mastering the interview process. With personalized mock interviews, detailed feedback, and proven strategies, you’ll learn how to highlight your initiative, problem-solving abilities, and time management skills in a way that stands out.
Sign up for free Myls Interview today and take the first step toward securing your AEO status at Ivey!
