Introductory Statement for Business and Economics Co-op Applicants
All: Please read the introductory statement carefully, sign it and hand this sheet to your interviewers.
BBA students only: Please complete the work/study sequence preference form as well.
Introductory Statement
Although we require a resume, we consider only what you tell us during the interview when evaluating
your suitability for admission to co-op. We urge you to answer each question fully and to provide examples
from your experience. (The ability to communicate your skills and accomplishments is a key component of
the interview.) The interview will last no more than 15 minutes.
During the interview, coordinators will evaluate your:
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work experience from the beginning of grade 11 to the end of the summer before your second year. *
volunteer service and extracurricular activities from grade 11 to the end of Orientation Week before
your second year. *
academic record in your first year at Laurier.
performance during the interview.
* We evaluate your work experience, volunteer service and extracurricular activities through the interview
only, not from your resume.
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Co-ordinators will give equal weight to each category.
Your interview is your only opportunity to tell us about your experience in each category.
At the end of the interview we will ask you to tell us anything you wish to add. Be sure to tell us about any
accomplishments or experience you have not had an opportunity to mention earlier.
We reserve the right to review your academic status and history with the School of Business & Economics.
Special Notes:
Your interview is your only opportunity to tell us about your experience in each category. When considering
the information you provide in the interview about your work, volunteer and extracurricular activities from
the beginning of grade 11 through the end of O-week, we consider what you did, the time commitment
involved and how you performed while providing this information in the interview. We rank most highly those
students who have had, and who have told us about, extensive involvement in extracurricular and/or
volunteer activities, especially in leadership roles, and who have worked consistently, especially if they have
had positions of responsibility and/or experience in an office or professional environment.
When telling us how you have developed certain skills, we encourage you to use examples from experiences
other than the New Venture project. (It is challenging to stand out when referring to a project required for all
BBA students.)
We are able to consider extenuating circumstances only if you submitted the request form and letter before
your interview.
Admission Decisions:
On Friday, October 11, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. we will send a message through your Laurier e-mail account
notifying you of admission decisions and related instructions. The deadline for accepting the offer of
admission is Tuesday, October 15, 2013.
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I have read the introductory statement.
I agree to provide accurate and factual information during my admission interview.
Print name:
Signature:
Work/Study Sequence Preference Form for BBA students
When we offer BBA students admission to the Co-op Option, we will indicate which sequence of work and
study terms they will follow. We welcome you to identify the sequence you prefer. We cannot, however,
guarantee that you will be assigned to your preferred sequence if you are offered admission.
You will be considered for admission only to the sequence(s) you specify. Students who are willing to
accept either sequence may have a better chance of receiving an offer of admission than students who
are willing to accept only one particular sequence.
Circle the number beside the one statement on the next page showing the sequence of work and study
terms you prefer. All decisions are final and changes will not be accepted at a later date.
Sequence One, BBA
BBA students in Sequence One apply to jobs that begin in May 2014 and last four or eight months.
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Year 1
Fall
September – December
Study Term
Winter
January - April
Study Term
Spring
May - August
Vacation
Year 2
Study Term
Study Term
Work Term 1 – Spring 2014
Year 3
Study Term
Work Term 2 – Winter 2015
Study Term
Year 4
Work Term 3 – Fall 2015
Study Term
Study Term
Most students will follow this sequence, and most of those will begin four-month work terms in May
2014, January 2015 and September 2015.
A few employers recruiting for the spring work term may hire students for an eight-month term from
May through December 2014; most of these students will complete their third work term in the fall of 2015.
Some chartered accounting firms may ask students hired for the winter 2015 work term to return for
the winter 2016 term instead of in fall 2015.
I am willing to accept admission to co-op only if I am in Sequence One.
1
I prefer Sequence One, but will accept Sequence Two if it is assigned to me.
2
Sequence Two, BBA
BBA students in Sequence Two apply to jobs that begin in September 2014 and last four or eight months.
Students who secure a four-month position for fall will follow this sequence of work and study terms:
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Fall
September – December
Winter
January - April
Spring
May - August
1A Academic
1B Academic
Vacation
2A Academic
2B Academic
3A Academic
Work Term 1 – Fall 2014
3B Academic
Work Term 2 – Spring 2015
4A Academic
Work Term 3 – Winter 2016
4B Academic
Students following this sequence will begin four-month work terms in September 2014, May 2015
and January 2016.
This sequence may not be suitable for students who plan to seek a career in chartered accounting, as
some CA firms prefer to hire students who are available in two winter work terms.
Students in this sequence may not be eligible to participate in certain international academic
exchanges.
Students who secure an eight-month position for fall will follow this sequence of work and study terms:
Fall
September – December
1A Academic
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Winter
January - April
1B Academic
Spring
May - August
Vacation
2A Academic
2B Academic
3A Academic
Work Term 1 – Fall 2014
Work Term 2 – Winter 2015
3B Academic
4A Academic
Work Term 3 – Winter 2016
4B Academic
Students following this sequence will complete an eight-month work term from September 2014
through April 2015 and a four-month work term in the winter of 2016.
This sequence is suitable for all students, including those hoping to work in CA firms.
I am willing to accept admission to co-op only if I am in Sequence Two.
3
I prefer Sequence Two, but will accept Sequence One if it is assigned to me.
4
I am willing to accept either Sequence One or Sequence Two; I have no preference.
5
Date:
Print name:
Signature:
Department of Co-operative Education, Wilfrid Laurier University
519.884.0710 x 4484
www.wlu.ca