This is my very first post here so, with the help of some amateur illustrations let’s discuss why I (the stick figure with two strands of hair and giant glasses pictured below) chose Western University.
About a year ago, I was in a frenzy trying to decide where I would go for my university education and my “feels” looked a lot like this:
I went from being a relatively normal, seemingly surefooted, and optimistic high school senior, to being straight-up overwhelmed. And by April I was just plain confused. For a really long time (I mean years), I thought I was going to be an engineer. It wasn’t until December that I had an epiphany. I had been on the robotics team for six years and it dawned on me that I didn’t love building a robot. It was the challenge of having to accomplish a complex project in six weeks, of being part of a team, and being a team leader that I found exciting and rewarding. Most of all, I loved working with a group of fellow students and adult mentors who were all extremely passionate about the task at hand.
So, if not engineering, what could I possibly study in university? My parents suggested that I may want to look into studying business. I thought business was all about numbers and accounting and mundane things, but there is so much more than that! Everything is a business! Business extends to so many different fields. And who doesn’t love open doors??
The reason I finally chose AEO at Western University was based on three major reasons.
1)
Once all the acceptance letters rolled in (let’s be optimistic and pretend they all looked like ^), it was a very difficult decision because if you’re anything like me, making a decision that will “affect the rest of your life” is scary. To ease your worries, remember what Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.” So if you care about what you are studying and you work really hard, it will all work out in the end (Or so I’m told)! If you were to ask me what I want to be when I “grow up,” (<- also, at what point does one consider oneself “grown up?”) I really couldn’t tell you. What I do know is that if I study something I like, it will work out in the end.
I really liked how the AEO admissions process was a holistic one. I felt that the admissions officers admitted me as a person and not just as a grade point average. This was particularly important to know that the offer was based on my all-rounded achievements thus far. I wanted to be in a class with a diversity of interests and backgrounds, like to be involved and are leaders. So much learning comes from your peers, it is important to me that I was among a pool of talented people.
2)
What distinguishes Ivey from other business programs is that it is a 2 + 2 program. You spend the first two years at Western studying whatever you want before diving into a core business curriculum. In case you missed that, let me reiterate, you can study whatever. you. want. Seriously, super cool.
I love art history (I’ll probably write a post later about why I think art history is da bomb) and I really wanted to be able to take some related courses. I looked at a handful of schools and there was an elective here and there where I could learn about the history of art, but I didn’t like the sounds of “here and there”. It didn’t guarantee that I’d be getting my weekly dose of art history and be able to study it in some depth. The AEO program allowed me the most flexibility to study both art history and business. And in a year’s time if I decide that I want to continue studying art history in addition to business, I can pursue a dual degree.
I originally applied to Western for BMOS and it wasn’t until April that I sent in another application for art history. I would not recommend leaving it this last minute, however I am so glad I did this.
And if you’re worried about that 80% clause, it makes it so much more important to study something you truly enjoy. You will get higher marks in something you enjoy spending time studying.
3)
Ultimately it all comes down to “fit”. It’s a word that is thrown around here and there, but it comes down to picking the right program for you.On the introvert/extrovert scale, I lean towards the introvert side (as a side note: being introverted and being shy is not the same thing). The learning environment at Ivey is well suited for me because while, I may be quiet at first, I gain a lot from being around a group of people.
It’s weird and maybe I’ll take it back in a couple years’ time, but I like the idea of having to collaborate with people for the Ivey 48 hr reports. I liked the idea of getting to know everyone in my class and of course, the case study method.
So if you’re where I was this time last year (phase 3: confused) best wishes on your decisions! These are the conclusions I came to last year and I hope it helps you, if only just a little bit. A friend of mine did a TEDx talk about “The Subtle Secret of Success” that I recommend watching. At the end of the day the right decision is the one you feel right making.
Best wishes!
Karen