Western Ivey HBA (AEO): The Definitive Guide for Applicants (2024)

If you’re applying to Western Ivey HBA (AEO), or you’re simply interested in learning more about the program, this guide is for you. 

Here, we’ll break down everything you need to know about Western Ivey, including the application, deadlines, acceptance rate, program info, common questions, and much more—all in one place. 

This Program Guide has been updated for the 2023/2024 year.

We will update this guide again in the Fall 2024.

In the meantime, if you’re serious about getting into Western Ivey, we recommend you schedule a free consultation for our 1-on-1 Youth Coaching services.

We can help you become a stronger applicant, student, and leader by coaching you on things like improving real-world skills, building self-awareness, and achieving big goals, so you can maximize your post-secondary potential. 

Looking for specific guidance on the Ivey Supplementary Application? Visit our Western Ivey Application Prep Guide for a full breakdown of the Supplementary Essays, including essay question templates, examples, and more.

Before divine in, check out this video from one of our Youth Coaches about the Western Ivey HBA program:

Table of Contents:

1. Admissions Process: Acceptance rate; Admission requirements; Acceptance Dates; and More.
2. Application: Supplementary essay questions; References; Application deadline; and More.
3. About the Program: AEO vs. HBA; Courses; Ranking; Co-op; Majors; Tuition; and More.
4. Common Questions from Students: Is Ivey hard?; Is it worth it?; Is Ivey hard to get into?; and More.
5. Program Comparisons: Ivey vs. Queen’s; Ivey vs. Rotman; Ivey vs. McGill; and More.

About the Western Ivey HBA Program

The Ivey HBA Program is undoubtedly one of the best business schools in Canada, plain and simple. 

Its graduates hold high positions in almost every industry and at the most prestigious firms in the world.

The program is 2 years (more if a student undertakes a dual degree path) of rigorous case-study method learning that aims to prepare graduates for real-world situations in which you have to make a crucial decision without all necessary information. 

The subsequent information will help shed light on any and all important information a potential HBA candidate should know.

Before you continue reading, check out this Day in the Life of a first year Western Ivey HBA (AEO)/BMOS that Youthfully Insider, Salina, created to help students just like you.

Western Ivey AEO vs. HBA

Having AEO does NOT mean you are in Ivey. 

This is an extremely common misconception and one that has caused many headaches for the program.

The AEO status is technically a conditional offer into the HBA program.

So, what do you need to get into the Western Ivey HBA program?

To fulfill the conditional offer, you must maintain a minimum 70%+ average in your first 2 years of university with a full course load (10.0 Western courses), including Business 2257 (or equivalent).

Students in the Faculty of Engineering need only maintain a 78%+ average as Ivey recognizes that in the first few years of this faculty it can be very difficult to earn over 80% in classes.

IMPORTANT: While the minimum average is 70%, Ivey states that a competitive average is at least 80%, along with demonstrated leadership in extracurricular activities, community involvement, and work experience.

Ivey does NOT want students who have extremely high grades but absolutely no extracurricular involvement. There have actually been cases where a student had a 95%+ average in their first 2 years but didn’t get into Ivey as they had absolutely no extracurricular involvement. 

On the other hand, I have very close friends who did not maintain an 80% average, but had extremely powerful extracurriculars (President of university club, started their own business, etc.) and still got into the HBA program. However, these friends were only about a percent off of an 80% average, so if you were at a 70% average there is no way you would fulfill your conditional offer. 

It is important to note that this is NOT the usual progression path and is extremely rare. Furthermore, Ivey could get much stricter in their requirements at any given time. So, if you want to maximize your ability to fulfill your conditional offer keep involved in the university community and study hard to get over an 80% average.

To learn more about Ivey HBA requirements, visit this page.

Western Ivey HBA AEO Courses & Classes

With AEO status, a student will complete their first 2 years of university in any faculty, which Ivey calls the 2+2 Method. 

For example, I personally did my first 2 years in the BMOS Program but I have friends who did their first two years in Political Science, Engineering, and even some in Music!

My advice: Your electives should be something you love.

To maintain the crucial 80% cumulative average, you really need to be motivated to study for your classes, and when you have a true passion for what you are learning it makes the process substantially easier. 

There will be tons of people telling you to take “bird courses” and some of them might be true. 

However, a bird course for one person may be an absolute nightmare for another student. For example, I loved Math 1228 in my first year at Western and did extremely well, finishing with a 96%, yet I had friends who took that course and practically failed it. 

This is a major difference between the AEO/HBA Program and other major business schools. 

Other schools will start with core business courses such as accounting and finance from day one, whereas Ivey gives you the opportunity to focus on other topics you may enjoy before diving deeper into the business world. 

I believe the 2+2 Method is a truly underappreciated one. When students finally get to Ivey, the class discussions are so much more interesting as all the students come with their own personal experiences and learnings from their former programs. 

For example, in one of my classes a student analyzed a case from a very technical psychological perspective, their previous program, and it shed a new light on the issue at hand that would have never been represented had all the students come from the same business background.

Once in Ivey, students are assigned to a “Section”. This is like a homeroom class in elementary school with the students staying in the same classroom and the professors coming to them. 

Since you are in the same room with the same people from 8AM-1PM Monday to Friday, you get extremely close with your section. I met some of my closest friends in my section and still, to this day, catch up with them on a regular basis. The familial feelings cannot be underestimated! 

Sections also compete against each other in various events, such as philanthropic endeavours or intramurals, much like Hogwarts! 

In terms of classes, all HBA1s have a standardized schedule, meaning everyone is taking the same classes at the same time. This is helpful because Ivey loves to promote working in groups, so although you may have friends in other sections you can still work through cases together.

The Core Courses in HBA1 are as follows (10 courses, 7.5 credits):

• 3300K – Strategy
• 3301K – Marketing
• 3302K – Communications
• 3303K – Finance
• 3304K – Operations
• 3311K – Leading People and Organizations
• 3316K – Decision Making with Analytics
• 3321K – Accounting & Financial Fundamentals
• 3322K – Leveraging Information Technology
• 3323K – Learning Through Action

These core courses require an extreme amount of effort by the student and the learning curve should not be underestimated. It will be a very challenging time in your life, but at the end you will make it through and the benefits will be unparalleled. For more information on Ivey HBA Year 1 courses, visit this page.

Once in HBA2, students have much more flexibility in the courses they are able to take. The 3 mandatory classes and the Ivey Field Project can be seen below. 

The Ivey Field Project is a very interesting experience that spans across the first semester of HBA2. This project gives HBA2s the chance to work in a group to solve a problem for real companies in the country, or to create their own good or service. 

The Ivey Field Project gives Ivey graduates the chance to work on legitimate business problems and really build up their professional resume.

Other than the three mandatory courses, there are over 40 elective courses to choose from!

It is important to note that If you want to go on exchange in your final semester of HBA2 you need to do all the mandatory courses in the FIRST semester. I have many friends who did this and it is never a major issue.

Feel free to contact help@youthfully.ca or connect with a coach if you have questions about any specific class, or you can read short descriptions about each HBA1 or HBA2 course in the attached links.

Western Ivey HBA Ranking & Reputation

The Ivey HBA Program has a stellar reputation in Canada and it is commonly looked at as one of the best in the country.

If you’re Googling “Best Business Programs in Canada”, the vast majority of the rankings are on MBA programs or overall business schools, rather than the undergraduate program, so be wary of this (and check out our awesome blog about the Best Undergraduate Business Programs in Canada here!).

Ivey’s MBA program is also world-renowned, with Bloomberg Businessweek ranking it the best MBA Program in Canada for the last 7 years.

As shown, Ivey’s MBA Program is ranked #1 in Canada on Compensation, Learning, and Networking opportunities. These are all very transferable to the HBA Program as the case-method learning style and professors are the same between the two programs, the networking events are similar, and compensation is also above-average for both graduate cohorts.

In conclusion, people can debate endlessly as to which undergraduate business program is the best in Canada, but Ivey’s HBA Program will always be a large part of the conversation.

Western Ivey Co-Op

Ivey’s HBA Program does not have co-op, otherwise known as co-operative education.

This means that work experience is not directly integrated with your degree like it is in many other business programs.

In my opinion, this is the biggest issue with the program. Co-op is so obviously where the future of education is heading. 

However, Ivey shows no signs of building a co-op program in the future. 

Instead, they have a Career Management Centre and many summer internships available to students between their HBA1 and HBA2 years with 95% of HBA students, or 463 students, in 2021 reportied doing a summer internship. Ivey also states that 34% of these summer internships were facilitated through the program.

Looking at this positively, your job finding skills will grow immensely because you aren’t ‘handed’ a job.

The Career Management Centre will support you with résumé development and interview preparation, and you’ll have some good professional development opportunities. However, at the end of the day, it’s up to you to speak to recruiters, network, and actually obtain the job, which better mimics the real-world.

Western Ivey HBA Job Placement & Starting Salary

The Ivey HBA employment statistics are impressive to say the least, as 94% of job-seeking students got at least 1 job offer within 3 months of graduating, and 98% of graduates seeking employment received an offer within 6 months of graduating. 

Here’s the breakdown by industry for 2021 (image credit):

In terms of base salary, the highest salary from the Ivey HBA graduates in 2021 was an astonishing $255,141, while the average salary was $69,845.

In terms of signing bonus, 28% of graduates received one, with the median amount being $5,000.

If you’re wondering what companies Ivey HBA graduates go to, the answer is: 

All of them.

From Adidas to ZS Associates, HBA students are everywhere.

Since 93% of HBA students have summer internships between their HBA1 and HBA2 years, Ivey also collects some thorough data on these. 

The average weekly base salary for these internships is $997, for a monthly average of almost $4,000. 

Most of these internships run between May to the end of August, with some starting in June, meaning students can make anywhere between $12,000-$16,000 over the course of their summer. 

Check out some more impressive stats about Western Ivey graduate employment on this page.

Western Ivey HBA Scholarships

There are no Ivey-funded scholarships for AEO applicants.

However, there are almost one million dollars worth of scholarships and awards for incoming HBA students. 

These scholarships are applied to by denoting your interest in them when fulfilling your AEO2 progress report after your second or third year of university.

You can, however, apply to the incredible amount of scholarships, grants, and bursaries provided to Western students when going through the admissions process.

Applying to these scholarships is a fantastic opportunity and would surely help your AEO application even if you are just nominated and don’t end up winning. These scholarships are extremely competitive, so don’t feel too bad if you don’t win one.

If you want to apply for a scholarship, connect with a coach now to make your application more competitive. We’ve helped our students win more than $1 million in scholarships and awards!

Western Ivey Society & Clubs

The culture at Ivey is one of the most well-regarded aspects of the program. You will be surrounded with the smartest, most talented individuals in the country. 

Having the mutual understanding of how hard it was to get into the program leads everyone to respect each other, which leads to making friendships and connections extremely easily.

In terms of clubs, Ivey has 25 student-run clubs for HBAs to join in either of their years at Ivey. 

Clubs are a fantastic way to continue your involvement as a leader and many of them are practical, such as the Ivey Accounting Club. This means you can further increase your technical skills and get some hands-on experience as well!

These clubs have fantastic funding with students getting custom Patagonia vests, going to exclusive recruiting events, and sometimes even doing office tours of the most elite companies in the world such as Bain & Company, Goldman Sachs, and more.

I had the luxury of going to an exclusive Bain & Company office tour that was only available to 10-15 HBAs and it was an absolutely incredible experience. 

These opportunities can sometimes be the difference maker between getting an interview or not, especially with how competitive the recruiting processes can be for these firms.

To learn more about Ivey clubs, visit this page.

Western Ivey International Exchange / Study Abroad

Another strength of Ivey HBA is its international exchange program.

In their final semester of fourth year (HBA2), students have the option to go on exchange for one semester. Around 20-25% of Ivey students participate in the exchange program.

I did not personally go on exchange as I was starting my MSc in Business Analytics at Ivey, a blooming program at Ivey. However, many of my friends did and said it was an absolutely life-changing experience. The classes on exchange are also usually pretty easy, many of them being graded on a pass/fail basis, which allows you to travel and explore the new environment!

Ivey has over 40 exchange partners based in over 25 countries with a focus on Europe and Asia. When I was applying to the program in January of 2014, I believe there were only about 30, so this is a major area of growth for Ivey.

To learn more about the Ivey exchange program, visit this page.

Western Ivey HBA Dual Degrees

A major advantage Ivey has is the vast number of Dual Degree offerings.

Since all students in Ivey complete their first 2 years of university in their faculty of choice, many people will choose to finish this program along with their HBA acquiring two degrees at once.

From my experience, the most popular Dual Degree option is Engineering with many students earning their BESc and HBA in 5 years. Another popular and very valuable choice is the Law Dual Degree with students earning their HBA and Juris Doctor (Law Degree) in 6 years. 

There are also opportunities for Dual Degrees in other programs like Economics, Health Sciences, Psychology, Political Science, and Music (see the full list here).

Although this seems daunting, by going through the Dual Degree you will actually save a year of your time, as you would usually start a 3-year Law program after finishing four years of undergraduate studies.

As an Ivey HBA graduate, you would also have the option to fast-track the completion of any Ivey Masters program, including:

1. MSc in Business Analytics, International Business, or Digital Management
2. MBA Direct, or Accelerated MBA

I personally took this route and completed my MSc in Business Analytics while finishing my HBA. Not only does being an HBA allow you to fast track this, but the program usually gives a scholarship up to $10,000 for HBAs who are staying at Ivey to complete the MSc. 

To learn more about Combined Degrees and Sequential Degrees with Ivey, visit this page.

Western Ivey Majors & Minors

As mentioned previously, Ivey does NOT offer majors or minors in anything other than ‘business’.

The official degree is an Honours Bachelor of Arts, Business Administration. 

This is what will appear on your diploma and nothing else. 

Western Ivey Tuition

Here’s what you can expect to pay for Western Ivey HBA (for all 4 years, including AEO):

REMEMBER: This does NOT include the cost of other expenses like residence, food, transportation, books, etc.

Clearly, Ivey’s HBA Program (Years 3 and 4) is very expensive compared to the first 2 years. The upside is that you only have to pay this much for 2 years, versus another program like Queen’s where you have to pay roughly the same for all 4 years.

For more information on Western Ivey tuition and expenses, visit this page.

Western Ivey HBA Notable Alumni

Many notable Ivey alumni were actually graduates of their MBA Program such as Kevin O’Leary, David McKay, and Michael McCain.

However, the HBA Program still has some notable alumni. For example, Michael Katchen, the Co-founder and CEO of the immensely-growing financial services company WealthSimple graduated from the HBA program in 2009. 

It’s difficult to define “notable alumni” because everyone considers notability differently.

If you want to get a feel for what Ivey alumni are doing after graduation, check out the Ivey InTouch Alumni Magazine.

Another major, and likely underappreciated aspect of the HBA Program, is their extreme dedication to maintaining a connection between their Alumni Network and current HBA students.

For example, all HBA students have access to an alumni database in which they can type in any industry, company, or city, and find a list of all alumni from Ivey who work in these respective areas. 

This is an unbelievable advantage over other schools, especially when it comes to learning about full-time opportunities after your time at Ivey.

Become the kind of leader Ivey looks for.

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Questions from Students About Western Ivey HBA

Our Youth Coaches get a lot of questions from students about Ivey and their HBA program, many of which are extremely common, others much less well-known. 

My hope is that the answers given here will assist in removing some of the mystery surrounding the program.

Who or What is “Ivey HBA”?

The Ivey Business School is named after the unparalleled lawyer and philanthropist Richard M. Ivey.

Ivey was born in Canada, attended Ridley College, and then went to Western to study business. 

Richard started the Richard Ivey Foundation with his father and made an unbelievable amount of donations to Western University. To show their appreciation, Western named their previously unnamed business school after Richard Ivey.

Richard Ivey recently passed away in 2019 at the age of 94, but his legacy and generosity will live on for decades to come.

Now, while they are officially known as the Ivey Business School at Western University, that’s quite a mouthful for most people.

Most of the time, people will simply refer to the school as “Ivey”.

When writing applications, I would suggest using Ivey Business School first and then using just Ivey later in the applications, especially if you are trying to get under the required word limit.

Another important thing to recognize, is that although the word Ivey is in the school’s name, it is NOT an “Ivy League” school such as Harvard, Yale, or Columbia.

This is important because if you write anything about Ivey being an “Ivy League” school, or forget the “e” in Ivey, you can be sure the Admissions Board will look at your application negatively.

Is Western Ivey HBA Hard?

Ivey will likely be the most rigorous and challenging educational experience you will have had up to that point. But don’t let that scare you.

The HBA program is meant to push all students outside of their comfort zones and prepare them for the “real world” in which deadlines appear abruptly, working with teams is a must, and ambiguity is everywhere.

However, when you come out on the other side and graduate from the program, you and any employers will know you have what it takes to truly succeed in any position you are placed in. 

This is why so many Ivey graduates have been massively successful in the ever-changing world we live in today.

Why Is Western Ivey HBA So Expensive?

This is a fair question and it is an important factor when making your final decision. 

According to the University of Western’s Ivey website, the tuition is based on a 2+2 Method.

The first 2 years of your undergrad studies will be dedicated to regular programs of your choosing with the last 2 committed to the HBA. The cost of the first 2 years is your average undergraduate tuition with the final 2 years costing over $25,000 per year for domestic students (and $35,000-$50,000 for international students). See the full breakdown here.

So, what are you paying for?

First, when entering the business program, you have to keep in mind that you will be networking with fellow students and faculty and this is a remarkable resource. 

The program offers world class faculty members with a wide range of invaluable experience. It also offers innovative research, research groups, centres and institutes as well as publications. Like with most other universities, tuition most likely goes to these areas of the school: faculty and research. 

On top of that, the students you will be learning alongside are some of the best and brightest in the country. It will certainly motivate you to do your best and to push yourself as a leader. 

Many of the students who have graduated from this program have successfully transitioned into the business world. Building that network in Ivey has prepared them to have incredible careers outside of the classroom walls. 

This is because the brand behind Ivey is well-known in the business world and has an excellent reputation. Being a graduate of the program means you have a leg up in jobs and it opens doors that aren’t normally open for students from other schools, especially in areas such as consulting and iBanking. 

Additionally, if you are admitted to the HBA Program, you might also consider the MBA program which has been ranked #1 in Canada by Bloomberg Businessweek (2019-2020). 

Is Western Ivey HBA Worth It?

This is a great question. The HBA is, without argument, expensive. However, you’re not alone wondering if it’s the right investment. 

I’ve seen that many prospective students wonder if a general economics or finance degree will be enough after they graduate. I don’t have the answer for that, but what I do know is that the HBA is built for those who want to take on leadership roles in the business world. 

This means having the motivation, drive and commitment that acceptance into Ivey requires.

It’s important to keep in mind that with the HBA you aren’t just paying for a degree, you’re investing in a reputable education and building a network. These are crucial components to consider when making your final decision. 

Ivey has a great reputation and an expansive network in the Canadian business world. Graduating from this program could open a lot of doors and give you a leg up for an amazing job after you graduate.

It’s also important to keep in mind that having an Ivey HBA isn’t a direct shoe-in for an amazing job. 

Knowing what field you want to go into is important before making your decision on the HBA. Certain fields do not pay as much as, say, consulting or finance. 

Although the average starting salary for Ivey alumni is high, that could be because graduates have chosen high-paying fields. These are details you will have to consider. 

In the end, where some students see the high tuition as a deterrent, others see it as an investment, despite the potential for heavy student loans. In the end, it will be a decision that you are the most comfortable making.

How Do I Get Into Western Ivey HBA AEO?

This seems like a straightforward question, but like many competitive programs, it’s layered.

Academics: You need amazing grades to be considered for AEO for Ivey. Upon graduating high school, you will need a minimum 93% average in your top 6 required courses. 

Extracurriculars: Ivey weighs grades and extracurriculars on a 50/50 basis meaning they are equally important. Not only will you have to have a 93% average (or higher), but you will need to display a lot of breadth with things like your non-academic awards and international experiences. A couple of these you will want to show your level of commitment, dedication, and leadership potential. Connect with a Youth Coach to learn how!

Essays: You need to kill your essays. How? Provide insights, introspection and elevated thinking all in a well-written and uniquely creative response. Remember, Ivey is looking for the best and the brightest. You need to show them what you’re made of. Learn how to do this (and more!) in our Western Ivey App Prep Guide.

By working 1-on-1 with a Youth Coach, you will be guided through the whole process of how to effectively communicate your skills and experiences, so that you can stand out from the crowd and write a truly memorable application.

It’s also extremely helpful to have one of our team guide you through the whole process because it can be a little overwhelming. We have a 90% success rate for our previous students and over a decade of experience in admissions consulting. 

Needless to say, we know what we’re doing and we want to help! 🙂

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Business School Comparisons

Before I start comparing schools, I have to preface by saying I’ve only actually attended Ivey.

However, I have friends and former work colleagues that have gone to all of the top business schools in Canada providing me with a wealth of knowledge on all of the options available.

At the end of the day, these are my personal, subjective thoughts based on the information I have at hand and have gained over the years.

But let me tell you this:

You need to make a decision that’s best for your needs, and no one else’s. 

Western Ivey vs. Queen’s Commerce (Smith Business)

This is hands-down the most frequently compared business schools in Canada.

For the few people who know they want to take core business classes for the entirety of their undergraduate careers, Queen’s Commerce is probably the better fit.

However, as previously mentioned, I believe the 2+2 Method used by Ivey is an incredibly powerful system that thoroughly improves diversity of thought, something many employers look for in candidates.

Also, if you get to Western, spend 2 years in an entirely different program, and realize you would prefer to finish that program instead of going to Ivey, you do not have the sunk cost of two years worth of premium tuition as you would if you went to Queen’s and realized business school wasn’t for you.

Furthermore, Ivey provides an outstanding amount of dual-degree programs, meaning if you love the nature of your coursework from the first two years and want to combine that with your business degree, you can easily do this as well!

A definite advantage for Queen’s is the fact that their Commerce students can get business-related summer internships after their first year, whereas Ivey students can usually only get these opportunities after HBA1, maybe second year if they are extraordinary candidates.

Another advantage for Queen’s is the piece of mind knowing when you get your acceptance to the program, you are in. This is much different than the AEO status you would receive for Ivey, as you still need to maintain both high academic and extracurricular standards. 

I actually have some friends who chose Smith Business over Ivey because they were too nervous they wouldn’t be able to maintain the necessary requirements for AEO status during such a monumental transitional period as moving away to university. 

This is an extremely fair reason and one you need to be honest with yourself about. Personally, I used the AEO requirements as motivation to continue working hard while at school and I am extremely glad I made the decision to go to Ivey.

From my conversations with friends who went to Smith Business, almost 90% of students will go on exchange in their third year with the program vigorously encouraging them to do so. 

Exchange programs at Ivey are during your final semester of HBA2, meaning you would have your last classes at Ivey in December, which leads to students feeling they “missed out on saying a proper goodbye to Ivey and Western”. 

This is actually the reason why I did not want to go on exchange when I went to Ivey. I wanted to spend my last semester at Ivey, really soaking in the incredible facilities and the times with all my friends who were also not going on exchange.

If you are dead set on exchange, I would likely suggest Queen’s over Ivey.

I’d say Ivey has a slightly stronger international and cross-Canada reputation, piggybacking off their MBA program.

As an extremely proud Ivey graduate, I’m obviously a little biased in my mindset. However, I believe if you were to go to either of these schools you would be setting yourself up greatly for the rest of your career.

It all depends on what you place the most value on, because at the end of the day, this is YOUR decision, no one else’s. 

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Western Ivey vs. Rotman Commerce

Rotman Commerce honestly doesn’t get enough credit. 

Being in Toronto, you’d have access to the best teachers and employers. 

I’d even say their career services office is better than Ivey’s, as it offers focused programs that help you obtain careers in certain fields, such management consulting.

However, having spoken to Rotman Students I worked with, they definitely wished there was a better sense of student pride and culture compared to Ivey which is well-regarded as one of the closest-knit schools.

The student body can make a huge difference for a business school. It means more employers, more student clubs, and more competition in class. 

If tuition is a concern and you need to live at home in the GTA area, go to Rotman.

Otherwise, Ivey takes the cake due to its incredible culture and the lasting relationships you will make with your Section-mates and other HBA students.

Similar to Ivey vs. Smith Business, graduates from either Ivey or Rotman will be very solid candidates in the job market. It is more so a personal preference to what YOU are looking for in your university career and the personal preferences potential employers may have, which is always extremely hard to predict.

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Western Ivey vs. McGill BCom (Desautels)

McGill has a few differences over Ivey.

First, it an incredibly diverse class:

• 39% come from Quebec
• 20% come from other Canadian provinces
• 41% come from international

Second, Desautels has the highest grade requirements out of any undergraduate Canadian business school (95%). However, they don’t look at anything beyond grades which could come to hurt their graduates when applying for jobs that require more than just academic achievement.

Finally, the fact that McGill is based in such an incredible city as Montreal makes it far more exciting than London.

If you’re looking to work in Montreal and/or somewhere where speaking French is a necessity, McGill BCom is easily the best choice as living in Montreal will provide you with the opportunity to learn or greatly improve on your French-speaking skills.

If your focus is Ontario, stick to Ivey.

Western Ivey vs. York BBA (Schulich)

York and Ivey are two completely different schools. 

Ivey is an extremely tight-knit, almost familial environment school. 

You build unbelievably strong relationships with your classmates that will last a lifetime, whereas York is more of a metro, commuter school without much of a student culture.

Ivey will get students major access to the most prestigious companies, such as Goldman Sachs, McKinsey and Google, whereas I don’t believe the accessibility is as strong for Schulich students.

Starting salaries and employment stats are noticeably lower at Schulich.

If cost is a huge factor (and you live in the GTA), go to Schulich. 

If your sole goal is to become an accountant at a Big 4 or gain an above-average, entry-level business job and you don’t care much about (or can’t afford) to get the ‘true’ university experience away from home, then simply go to Schulich.

It’s still a great program and has very high, holistic admissions standards. 

It’s a very diverse class and its MBA program has a great reputation you can piggyback off of.

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Western Ivey vs. UBC BCom (Sauder)

This is a pretty tough comparison because these are both pretty great programs in their own ways.

The fact that UBC BCom has co-op is a major advantage over Ivey.

If you appreciate the great outdoors and adventure activities, go to UBC. 

London is and always will be a great university town, but it could never compare to the unbelievable landscapes British Columbia has to offer.

If you want to work for unique west coast companies like Amazon, Lululemon, and EA Sports, go to UBC.

However, if you want to work on Wall/Bay Street or management consulting, Ivey is undoubtedly the better option.

UBC has their Portfolio Management Foundation (PMF) program within its BCom, which is quite prestigious and puts many people at the top banks.

However, the program only selects five to six students out of a class of 1,000, making it unbelievably competitive and pretty unrealistic. 

UBC’s average entrance salary is substantially lower than Ivey. It’s actually the lowest out of all the top BCom programs in Canada. 

If weather, lifestyle, and co-op are important to you—and you don’t mind a class size of 1,000 students—UBC might be a good option for you.

Otherwise, I would definitely recommend Ivey.

If all of this information about the program has inspired you to go ahead and apply, let us help you! We have an HBA Ivey grad and former admissions team member who can help you one-on-one with your application. 

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Our coaches have a strong success rate supporting students as they apply to Western Ivey HBA, among other top university programs.

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