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In the first year of university (and beyond), many students feel a certain level of detachment from extra-curricular activities and an inability to get involved with activities and organizations on campus. For aspiring HBA candidates (that is to say, AEO1s and AEO2s), meeting the entrance requirement of the maintenance of a high level of extra-curricular involvement demanded by the Richard Ivey School of Business (Ivey) can seem a particularly cumbersome challenge. While this sentiment is echoed by several students, there exists a wide variety of activities and organizations that can provide extra-curricular involvement, alongside the benefit of opening students to new initiatives and new friendships that transcend the academic boundary, some of which are described herein.

Perhaps the most visible organization associated with Ivey for AEO students is the Advanced Entry Opportunity Student Association (AEOSA). The AEOSA is a USC-facilitated undergraduate club whose aim is focused on ensuring the adequate nutrition of AEO students in their academic, social and extra-curricular opportunity pursuits. With a membership base exceeding 1,000 students, the complementary club to AEO students provides ample opportunities for AEOs to engage with their peers in a variety of contexts, as well as the opportunity to serve on the executive committee and portfolio committees of the association. From a personal standpoint, I can attest to the value of the friendships, knowledge and opportunities the AEOSA has provided and has created many lasting memories that have shaped my undergraduate academic career to date. Aside from the AEOSA, there are many undergraduate on-campus clubs that cater to just about every student demographic and interest. For a nominal fee (usually $5-10), students can enjoy the many benefits that these clubs offer for the entirety of the academic year, as well as providing the opportunity to gain leadership experience through serving on their executive.

For those inclined to use the sports field or ice rink as a catalyst for demonstrating their leadership and excellence abilities or for meeting others and keeping healthy, there are many different ways to become involved within the Western athletic community. If you are particularly skilled in a specific sport, perhaps trying out for a varsity or club team would be a good option; most try outs take place in the summer before the school year commences, and it is generally advisable to make contact with the coach of your team of interest to get details. For those seeking a more casual athletic experience, the vast intramural program offered by Western is a great avenue to becoming involved within the Western community and making new acquaintances. To show your loyalty to the AEOSA, you can sign up for one of the AEOSA-affiliated teams to network specifically with AEOs in a relaxed, uncompetitive environment. If you are more inclined to meet students in a social setting, there are many ways to go about doing this.

Western is recognized for its parallels to the United States collegiate system, particularly with its abundance of social and academic-based Greek-letter fraternities and sororities. Though not directly sponsored by Western or the USC, these organizations provide an opportunity to become closely engaged with a group of like-minded individuals in pursuit of a variety of values and goals. Similarly, there are a few USC-ratified clubs that serve to provide opportunities for students to engage in a social setting, the most notable being the Purple Spur Society.

Clearly, there are several ways for AEOs to become involved with extra-curricular activities on campus, and rarely an opportunity to be bored if you look in the right places. Hopefully this article has shed light on some potential opportunities on campus, and I hope you find an activity or organization that you feel passionately about.

Thanks to AEOSA VP Student Affairs Christopher Rastrick for providing the article.