Undergraduate / IVEY AEO ESSAY (Character in Leadership) [4]

Hey guys, it is a little late considering the due date is tomorrow, but I would appreciate any suggestions or comments. Thanks!

Essay #1 Character in leadership matters. At Ivey, character is defined as an amalgam of virtues, values and certain traits. Character speaks to who a person is rather than what they are able to do. Some would say the virtues of courage, humility and humanity are equally as important as the virtues of accountability, drive and integrity. Do you think this is true? Relate your answer to your experiences in the activities you've included as part of your application.

What is a leader? And how can I become one?

I struggled to find the answer as I looked on some of my grade 9 peers who have become leaders in the school and community. I observed their abilities from afar in awe; the elaborate plans they were able to conceive, the compelling and confident voices they spoke with, and the numerous team accomplishments they had achieved. Yet, I also witnessed times, where despite the abilities of the leader, the group ultimately fails to reach their goals. I was confused. I wanted to know the secret standing between leaders who succeeded and failed. My search for the answer continued as I progressed through high school. Slowly learning from my experiences in team settings, I recognized that while the capabilities of the leader is intrinsic to succeeding, character is also an important element of leadership⁠-it is how we interact with the world around us. Ultimately, it is the character that influences us to make the type of decisions that we make. When viewing character as a whole, I think it is true that the virtues of courage, humility and humanity are just as necessary to the conception of leadership as other virtues, like drive and integrity. They are all equal in importance because they work together-a leader cannot be successful if they think some virtues are greater than others.

One of my greatest learning experiences in becoming a leader would come from working part-time at a restaurant. My executive positions in school and community extracurriculars may have allowed me to demonstrate my strengths in characteristics like courage and initiative, but they never taught me the value of becoming a more rounded leader. Unfortunately, I learned it the hard way⁠-I lacked patience in my character, leading to a reckless decision that affected one of my team's success. The workplace taught me otherwise. Everyshift, my colleagues inspire me to work with a sense of responsibility. I admired their bravery; they would always greet me with a cheerful smile, preserving through the financial and emotional struggles they had at home. In my numerous conversations with colleagues and customers, one common theme I've discovered is: everyone is just trying their best. What an empowering thought! When I get frustrated at a low tip, or impatient with the new busboy-in-training who keeps on making the same mistakes, I try to be as empathetic as possible knowing that they are trying their best. My time at the restaurant has helped me develop virtues of compassion and humility, components of leadership that are sometimes overlooked, but necessary for success.

I believe character is developed through different opportunities and experiences. Becoming a leader is a lifelong journey! I look forward to implementing my definition of leadership at Western Ivey, where I will continue to develop my character and seek to become a better leader. While the perfect leader does not exist, the pursuit of becoming one certainly does.

Graduate / U of T Engineering Supplementary Essay - extracurriculars and developed skills [2]

Any advice would be helpful:)

qualities developed through activities

Reflecting on the activities that you have described above, what qualities do you believe that you have developed through your participation in these activities? How do you think they may have helped to prepare you for U of T Engineering? (250 words or less).

*The activities will be stated in another section above the essay. Admissions will have prior knowledge of what the activities listed down below are like.

Engineering is a collabration-based discipline-having the ability to lead and work in a team is fundamental to success in the field. At school and in the community, I hold significant positions on teams, where I work with others towards a common goal. My group-oriented experiences would transfer over to my time at U of T, from studying with classmates to working with collegues in a PEY co-op term. My participation in extracurriculars has also pushed me to develop my communication abilities. Through roles like Oakville Youth Action Committee chair and basketball coach, I have become more confident in expressing my original ideas and opinions. Film, too, is another way to communicate my thoughts. As the video executive of the T.R.A.I.L. team, and co-founder of the film club, I capture and share stories with my camera. Through film and interacting with different customers as a server, I have learned to view the world from the lens of others. My consideration of different perspectives is a quality that will be valuable on a diverse campus like U of T. Ultimately, my continued participation in all of the activities points to my commitment to constant growth. I am a lifelong learner, always curious and ready to improve from experiences.

Through my active engagement in extracurrciulars, I believe I have developed the skills required to succeed in U of T Engineering. They will allow me to take on any challenge encountered during my studies, independently and with a team.