Last updated September 15, 2025
If you are looking for guidance on the UBC Sauder Commerce (BCom) application, including Personal Profile examples and video interview questions prep, then you’ve come to the right place.
This Application Prep guide is fully updated with the 2025/2026 application (i.e. for applicants planning on starting the program in Fall 2026).
Before you dive in, it’s important to understand that the admissions committee receives thousands of applications every year. To help set yourself apart from the crowd, you need to demonstrate a clear sense of self, strong life experience, and exemplary communication skills.
Our ‘full student’ coaching process does exactly that. If you’re not working with a coach, be sure to read the Self-Awareness, Goal-Setting, and Narrative Communication Skills Guides.
The Narrative Communication Approach™ is a particularly useful storytelling framework that helps you tell a clear and concise story, while creating an emotional connection with the reader. All UBC Sauder BCom essay examples and templates use this approach.
We’ve also created a comprehensive Interview Skills Guide that covers every step of the interview process so you can ace any question that comes your way. Check it out before getting started!
If you’re serious about getting into UBC Sauder School of Business and reaching your fullest post-secondary potential, read our UBC Commerce Program Guide and connect with a Youth Coach. It’s never too early to receive coaching.
2025/2026 UBC Sauder Commerce Application
The UBC Sauder Application has 2 components (keep reading for a full breakdown of each part):
- Personal Profile: A series of experience/interest questions as well as a ‘resume’ style list of activities/accomplishments and the contact info for two references.
- Timed Video Responses: 2 randomly generated video interview questions.
REMEMBER: The application for UBC Sauder BCom must be submitted by January 15, 2026 at 11:59pm PST (the deadline to be considered for most entrance awards is December 1, 2025).
The entire application must be submitted through a platform called EducationPlannerBC. You will find the place to put your Personal Profile Answers in the “Additional Information” tab of your EducationPlannerBC application. Simply write your answers to the questions in a separate doc and then copy and paste your answers for each question. where you will write your Personal Profile.
The video responses are completed through a third-party site. Once you have recorded your responses, you will copy and paste the confirmation URL from this third-part site into your EducationPlannerBC application. Questions? We got you! Connect with a coach for support now.
The admissions committee evaluates your entire online application as well as your academic performance, using this breakdown:
- 30%: Personal Profile
- 20%: Video Interview
- 50%: Grades
Based on this evaluation, your Personal Profile and video interview account for 50% of your overall evaluation. That’s A LOT, making these app components the difference maker for your acceptance or rejection from the program.
Since your grades can only get you so far, you need to spend extra time thinking about and preparing your Personal Profile and video interview responses, and finding unique and memorable ways to showcase your experiences, interests, leadership potential, and suitability to the UBC Sauder BCom program. Think of these as your chance to make a great first impression.
This is exactly why we created this App Guide — to help you write the best essays and prepare you for your video interview so you can stand out from the crowd.
Keep reading for UBC Sauder Personal Profile examples and templates, as well as a breakdown of possible questions and tips to prepare the for video interview questions.
If you need help creating a unique and authentic application that will help you increase your chances of admission success, connect with a coach for 1-on-1 support.
UBC Commerce Application: Personal Profile – Overview
This is how the Personal Profile is broken down:
| # | Format | Word Count |
| Commerce-Specific Questions | ||
| 1 | Written | max 1500 characters |
| 2 | Written | max 1500 characters |
| 3 | Video | 2 randomly generated questions |
| 4 | List | Activities and accomplishments |
| 5 | Written | max 2100 characters |
| 6 | Written (optional) | max 600 characters |
| 8 | References x 2 | n/a |
The written responses are focused on your experiences, leadership opportunities, interests, and more.
As mentioned above, your Personal Profile counts for 30% of your overall evaluation.
COACH’S TIP: Write your essay responses BEFORE you start your online application, so that you have time to rewrite, edit, and polish your answers. When you sign in, you will have to upload your answers immediately.
UBC Commerce Application: Personal Profile – Evaluation Rubric
We get a lot of questions about how the Personal Profile is evaluated.
Reviewers evaluate each essay in your Profile according to these 4 criteria:
- ENGAGEMENT AND ACCOMPLISHMENT:
Using specific examples, your answers should outline the activities, initiatives, causes, accomplishments, etc. that you’re most proud of and care most about, and the accomplishments you’ve had in those areas.
You should detail what you’ve learned because of these experiences, and how they’ve made you a better person both inside and outside the classroom.
Here are some things to think about to help you get started:
- What you care most about
- The people who are most important in your life
- How you manage your time and responsibilities
- Hobbies, volunteer work, or other interests you’re passionate about
- Community involvement and specific accomplishments you’ve achieved
- A goal or project you’ve set for yourself and achieved (and how you’ve done that)
- How you develop your passions and interests in various areas of your life
- LEADERSHIP:
Using specific examples, your answers should discuss experiences/accomplishments where you became a stronger leader and developed leadership skills, like responsibility, reliability, resourcefulness, time management, accountability, and initiative.
Leadership can come in many forms, so don’t feel intimidated if you haven’t had much experience with it. It can be something as simple as a group project where you took the lead, or an extracurricular activity where you stepped up and went above and beyond the call of duty.
Leadership can also be individual, like managing your own time or setting a specific challenge/goal for yourself and making a plan to achieve it.
Here are some things to think about to help you get started:
- A specific experience where you showed exceptional leadership (and how you managed it)
- What being a leader means to you
- How you handle responsibility and accountability
- How you use diverse opinions, experiences, and backgrounds to the advantage of the group you’re leading
- Effective strategies you’ve learned that help address specific challenges you’ve faced while leading
- How your activities and accomplishments have benefited your peers or community
- How have your leadership experiences influenced how you interact with others
- What are the lessons you’ve learned (including effective leadership strategies) that you will use in the future
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- SUBSTANCE:
The evaluators want to see that EVERY example, detail, and learning outcome you write about in your answers has a purpose and is meaningful.
They want to see that you’ve really thought about your answers and taken the time to prepare them.
Uniqueness is a HUGE factor here — you don’t want your answers to be basic and the same as everyone else’s. They need to dig beyond the surface and give relevant and interesting insights that other students might not have thought of.
The evaluators also want to see that you’ve built self-awareness and have asked yourself big questions like who you are, what you value, where you want to go, and how you’ll apply the lessons you’ve learned to get there.
If you have filled out our Student Identity Blueprint then pulling out substance and deep personal insight in your essays will be a lot easier (if you haven’t filled out your Blueprint yet, click here to get started or connect with a coach).
- VOICE:
The evaluators want to see that you can communicate your ideas in an authentic and memorable way, using storytelling, emotional connection, and character development.
They want to see your personality and voice jump off the page — NOT the same generic essay over and over.
This might seem obvious, but a lot of students don’t know how to articulate their ideas in a genuine way that showcases who they are and explains what makes them different.
Once your Profile has been evaluated according to these criteria, it is compared with other students’ Personal Profiles. Then this score is applied to your overall admission average as well as other admission criteria (e.g. video interview), if applicable.
UBC SAUDER 2025 FALL APPLICATION
The UBC Commerce Personal Profile has 8 questions total (including optional questions and references), along with the video interview (which we will discuss more below).
Keep reading for a detailed breakdown of each, as well as examples and essay templates.
Don’t forget to check out our template for all these questions (just click File > Save a Copy).
2025 UBC Sauder Application: Personal Profile – Question 1 (Commerce-specific)
Explain how you responded to a problem and/or an unfamiliar situation. What did you do, what was the outcome, and what did you learn from the experience? (Maximum 1500 characters)
UBC Sauder Application: Personal Profile Question 1 – Breakdown
As the first question in your Personal Profile, this is where you have the opportunity to make a strong first impression.
This question prompts you to discuss a meaningful experience, where you were required to address a challenge or uncomfortable situation. The important thing here isn’t so much what the situation was, but how you handled adversity and what you learned from it.
Maybe you learned a new strategy for being a leader, or you saw the benefits of getting outside of your comfort zone, or you learned something about yourself.
Go beyond the surface and try to think of a problem/unfamiliar situation that will allow you to provide deep insight and self-awareness. Be as unique as possible, drawing out a learning outcome that is unexpected and memorable.
COACH’S TIP: Paint a vivid and detailed picture as much as possible, showing who you were before this problem and/or unfamiliar situation happened, and then what your initial reaction was, and how you resolved it. Let your personality shine through, while taking the reader on the journey with you.
Choose only experiences where you have a clear learning outcome that has changed who you are and how you view the world. You want to make sure that your answer has substance.
The reviewers want to see that you’ve really thought about why this learning outcome is important and how it can be applied to your life today (and in the future). If you can do this, we guarantee that your essay will stand out from other applicants.
Not sure how to communicate your personal growth and learning in essays like these? Our Narrative Communication Guide is a great place to start, and you can also connect with a coach to take your essay response to the next level.
UBC Sauder Application: Personal Profile Question 1 – Template
Get started on your template here (click File > Make a copy and save it to your computer).
REMEMBER: There is a 1500 character limit for this answer.
We suggest following our Narrative Communication Approach.
UBC Sauder Application: Personal Profile Question 1 – Example
Here’s an example of how to answer this question.
REMEMBER: This is an EXAMPLE ONLY and is NOT meant for you to copy. Why? First and foremost, this is plagiarism and is a serious offense. Plagiarizing these essays will result in immediate disqualification from the admissions process. This can be easily detected using technology and application reviewers are usually trained and/or able to spot when an application isn’t original and does not align with an applicant’s background, personality, values, etc.
2025 UBC Sauder Application: Personal Profile – Question 2 (Commerce-specific)
What do you think is the most serious challenge that our world faces today? What steps should we take as individuals, and collectively as a society to address it? (Maximum 1500 characters)
UBC Sauder Application: Personal Profile Question 2 – Breakdown
Our world is facing many challenges right now — from climate change, to inequality, to global conflict.
This essay question is asking you to pick one challenge you think is the most serious and explain not just why it matters, but also what steps individuals and society can take to address it.
When you brainstorm, think about the global issues you hear about most often — things like climate change, poverty, healthcare access, misinformation, or political instability. Then, narrow it down to the one you feel most strongly about or that connects best to your own experiences.
You want to first define the challenge clearly. For example, if you choose climate change, you could talk about how rising temperatures and natural disasters are threatening both the environment and human life. Or, if you pick inequality, you could describe how unequal access to education or healthcare prevents millions of people from reaching their potential.
Next, think about what steps we can take to address the issue. The question is asking about solutions both individually and collectively as a society.
- As individuals: This could mean small, everyday actions — like reducing waste, volunteering, or educating ourselves and others.
- As a society: This might involve larger, structural steps — like government policies, international cooperation, or innovations in science and technology.
It’s important that you also bring in a personal connection or example. Maybe you volunteered with an organization addressing food insecurity, and that showed you the importance of community-level action. Or perhaps you participated in a climate march, which made you realize how powerful collective voices can be.
When writing, focus on:
- Identifying the challenge and why you think it’s the most serious.
- Explaining what individuals can do.
- Explaining what society as a whole can do.
- Sharing one or two personal takeaways from your own experiences that connect back to this issue.
The key here is to show that you’re not only aware of global challenges, but also that you’ve thought about practical steps toward solutions — and that you’re ready to contribute both personally and as a future leader.
Need some help figuring out which community involvement experience to choose? Connect with a coach for support.
UBC Sauder Application: Personal Profile Question 2 – Template
Get started on your template here (Click File > Make a Copy within the doc).
REMEMBER: There is a 1500 character limit for this answer.
We suggest following our Narrative Communication Approach.
2025 UBC Sauder Application: Personal Profile – Question 3
2025 UBC Sauder Video Interview Questions
The video interview is the second major component of your UBC Commerce application.
Here’s a quick snapshot of what to expect:
- You will have a set amount of time to complete your answers.
- You will get 1 mock question to practice, with two attempts to answer it.
- You will be given 2 formal video questions, and you will not know the question until the time you record your answer.
- For each formal video question, you will get 30 seconds to think about your answer, followed by 1.5 minutes to answer the question.
As mentioned above, the video interview is worth 20% of your overall admission evaluation. That’s a lot, so you want to make sure you’re hitting this component out of the park. 🙂
UBC Commerce is looking for students who are articulate, passionate, and dedicated. They learned a bit about you in your Personal Profile, but now they can get even more insight into who you are, what you’ve experienced, what your interests are, and why you want to be a UBC Sauder student.
The admissions committee also wants to see that you can work well under pressure, have the drive to succeed in the program, and can think critically and solve problems.
We know video interviews are super scary, but trust us — feeling prepared will give you a TON of confidence so you can do a great job on the interview.
That’s why we created this guide to give you possible questions, tips to prepare, and more, so you can let your personality and confident self shine!
We know that interviews are super scary! We’ve analyzed thousands of questions and come up with a unique way to prepare for the most common types of interview questions, so you can ace any questions that comes your way. To learn more, check out our Interview Prep Skills Guide here. It’s full of useful templates and prep tips to help you feel more confident going into the interview. If you want to take your interview prep to the next level, connect with a coach for 1-on-1 support. 🙂
UBC Sauder Interview Questions – Possible Questions
Here are some examples of the types of questions you can expect for your video interview:
You’ll notice that most of these questions are personal questions, meaning they’re all about you — like who you are, what you value, what you would do in a certain situation, your interests, and the experiences you have had working on your own and with others.
These questions are meant to gauge how you react to situations and how you apply key skills like leadership, problem solving, organization, and time management, in all areas of your life.
COACH’S TIP: Don’t waste your valuable time coming up with different answers to every single practice question. We’ve identified 10 common themes that personal questions fall into and broken each theme down, and provided templates and examples of each type so you’ll be prepared to answer any question that comes your way. Check out the themes and much more in our Interview Skills Guide.
The admissions committee also wants to see that you have self-awareness. This means that they want to make sure you know what your skills are (and what you need to improve on), what you value, and how you plan to make a difference in the world.
It may seem obvious and you’re probably thinking, “Duh.. of course I know what I’m good at and what I care about.”
This might surprise you, but very few students actually focus on self-awareness. You might think you have it all figured out, but it’s probably more surface-level than you think.
That’s why we have a whole phase in our coaching methodology (the Discovery phase) where we use a Student Identity Blueprint™ to help you figure out who you are and what makes you tick. Then, when questions like these are asked during the interview, you’ll know EXACTLY how to respond.
If you haven’t already, connect with a coach to get started on your Student Identity Blueprint™.
UBC Commerce Interview Questions – Examples
When preparing for this section of the UBC Sauder BCom application, practice is key.
Open up your camera and choose a few questions from the section above. Record yourself and practice answering the questions as best you can. Trust us, after a little while you’ll get better and then you’ll have the confidence to do a great interview. You can also work 1-on-1 with your coach and do mock interviews (if you haven’t already, connect with a coach)!
To help get you started, one of our Youth Coaches has recorded two video question examples.
Here’s an example for the video question: “Is it better to submit average quality work, on time; or high quality work, but late? Explain.”
Here’s another example for the question: “Who has been a role model for you? What have they taught you about responsibility and respect?”.
How to Prepare for the UBC Sauder Commerce Interview – Question Tips
Many students ask us for tips for preparing for the UBC Sauder video interview component of their application.
Here are the ones we think will help you the most for your video interview:
TIP #1: ALWAYS ANSWER THE ENTIRE QUESTION
It seems silly, but it is common to get off track and later realize you didn’t answer the question. Break down each part of the question into smaller components, and address each one as you move through your answer.
TIP #2: TAKE YOUR TIME
Sometimes when you know you have a limited amount of time you might speed through everything like a mad race against the clock. As you answer the question, remember to take a breath and pause between your sentences to allow the reviewer time to process what you said. Focus on speaking clearly and slowly.
TIP # 3: TELL IMPORTANT INFO ABOUT YOU
Remember that every answer you give should tell the interviewer something about you that boosts your application, even if the question isn’t about you.
Highlight your skills and experiences, show that you have thought about goals, and use the questions to help the admissions committee learn more about you (and want to have you as a part of the program).
TIP #4: BE CONCISE:
Your answers should be clear and to the point, leaving out unnecessary information. During the interview, don’t ramble — get to the point and be clear. It is better to have a short, concise answer than a convoluted answer that is redundant and possibly unfocused.
TIP #5: BE PROFESSIONAL (BUT ALSO HAVE FUN!)
When preparing for your video questions make sure that you come across as a young professional with something special to offer the program. How can you do this?
- Dress professionally
- Make sure the background behind your camera is empty
- Go somewhere that is quiet and free from distractions
- Maintain eye contact with the camera as you give your answers
- Be aware of your posture and where your hands are (you don’t want to appear like you’re slouching or fidgeting on the screen)
While it’s important to be professional, it’s also important to have fun with these questions. The admissions committee wants to admit unique people who have a shining personality and the experiences to match. Show them who you are and be yourself.
TIP #6: DIFFERENTIATE YOURSELF
The admissions committee reviews thousands of applications. You’ll never stand out if your answers are the same as everyone else’s, so come up with answers that are unique.
For example, if there’s a question that asks “Describe a time when you had to adapt” don’t simply talk about how COVID made everything more difficult. Instead, you can talk about a leadership experience where you took on a challenge and tried something that hadn’t been done before. Then, shift the question into talking about your successes and what you learned from the experience.
Trying to come up with a different approach is important and you should only resort to these easy answers if you get stuck. Using storytelling to create an emotional connection with the reviewers can also make a huge difference in creating a unique, authentic, and memorable application. Check out this blog about our Narrative Communication Approach™ to learn more.
If you would like more tips to help you prepare, as well as the chance to up your game and do some mock interviews, connect with a coach today. Our coaches have helped hundreds of students do great interviews and achieve admissions success!
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UBC Sauder Interview – Questions Themes
Even though you might not know exactly what questions you’re going to be asked, it will help to think generally about a few themes and ideas that you can use across various types of questions.
Here are some themes you can draw upon as you’re thinking about your answers.
LEADERSHIP
It is very likely that there may be a question around leadership. To prepare for this, make sure you know a few examples of how you have shown leadership in the past. It is important to not just explain what the leadership role you had, but actually how you demonstrated that leadership (being the President of a club doesn’t necessarily mean you are a good leader).
COMMUNITY
UBC Sauder wants students who are actively involved in the community (you’ll also notice a question about it on your Personal Profile). Community involvement shows commitment, selflessness, and passion, but also because it highlights time management. Make sure you have 1 or 2 examples of how you have been involved in your community. As much as possible, quantify the impact you had.
CONFLICT
There is often a question about how you have dealt with conflict. This is mainly around how you have dealt with conflict in a team setting or a potential inflammatory situation. Remember to not just focus on the problem, but more so the resolution or lessons learned.
TEAM WORK
In addition to conflict in team settings, a lot of the time there are questions about how you have worked in a team effectively. Once again, make sure you can clearly define how you succeed in the team, and not just the team’s success.
TIME MANAGEMENT
There are questions that are really just structured around seeing how you handle pressure and manage your time. Be sure to really explain why the example you are giving is a good example of how you can manage your time and operate under stressful situations.
ACHIEVEMENT
This is an opportunity for you to discuss something you have achieved. For this, try to think of something that is differentiated and you can really explain how you achieved it, and why that achievement will help you at UBC Sauder.
BUSINESS
In short, you need to know why you want to study business, and how it will lead to a future career. Be specific and think ambitiously.
UBC SAUDER SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
Similarly, you need to be able to concisely communicate why you want to attend UBC Sauder. Make sure to do lots of research and use it in your answer. The more depth to your research, the more differentiated your answer will be. In all of your answers, make sure you have a statement (or a ‘pitch’) at the end of each answer that shows exactly why you are the perfect fit for the program and how you would add value to their program as a student.
If you want to learn how you can align these themes to your unique interests and experiences, check out our Interview Skills Guide and connect with a coach now.
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Here an example of the information for this section:
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2025 UBC Sauder Application: Personal Profile – Question 4
Describe up to five activities that you have pursued or accomplishments achieved in one or more of the following areas. Please outline the nature of your responsibilities within these activities:
- Club
- Family/community responsibilities
- Creative or performing arts
- Work/employment
- Athletics
- Volunteer
- Service to others
- Other(s)
UBC Sauder Application: Personal Profile Question 4 – Breakdown
UBC Sauder wants to see a broad range of activities in your Personal Profile, both inside and outside of school.
Choose extracurricular activities, like volunteer work or being a President of your school’s debate club, hobbies, like learning a new language, interests, like competitive swimming at your local community center, and/or even general activities you enjoy doing with your family, friends, or members of your community, like playing tennis.
COACH’S TIP: As mentioned above, the evaluators DON’T want you to simply list a bunch of activities you have done. Instead, they want you to talk about activities and experiences that have created learning outcomes that have profoundly shaped who you are as a person, while communicating these lessons in a unique, authentic, and memorable way (this will be especially important for the next question, which we will discuss more below).
Choose up to 5 activities that will show the depth and breadth of your experiences. We call this the T Model (learn more about it here).
Here, you have 1-2 big activities that you’ve put a lot of time and effort into (this is the depth, or the vertical part of the ‘T’). For example, this could be a non-profit you started in your community, a fundraising event you organized to help address homelessness in your community, or giving a TEDx talk on an issue you are passionate about. These are BIG accomplishments that you’re super proud of. These should be the first ones in your Personal Profile, so you can wow the committee from the beginning. 🙂
Next, you’ll have 2-3 activities that take less time and effort, but are still super important for helping shape who you are (this is the breadth, or the horizontal part of the ‘T’). For example, these could be an online course you took that ignited your interest in finance management or a summer internship you did that helped you develop your communication and leadership skills.
Structuring your activities in this way will show the evaluators that you have well-rounded experience in many areas.
COACH’S TIP: UBC Sauder receives thousands of applications per year, so creating a unique Personal Profile can be tough. We recommend choosing activities that demonstrate your initiative, teamwork, commitment, and achievement. If you are having trouble, connect with a coach and they will help you out.
We know that identifying (and participating in) activities like this can be difficult, especially if you don’t know where to start. But don’t worry, we’ve got your back. Our unique approach will help you and your coach identify and execute audacious and authentic goals (we call these AYA goals) that are perfectly aligned with your interests and passions, so you can accomplish what you want (and have amazing experiences to talk about on your application). Connect with a coach to get started and check out our Goal-Setting Guide now.
UBC Sauder Application: Personal Profile Question 4 – Template
Get started on your template here (click File > Make a copy and save it to your computer).
REMEMBER: There is a maximum of 500 words per activity.
For this question, you will be asked for the following information:
- Activity Type: State what this activity is, using the list above. If your activity isn’t mentioned in that list, write a 1-2 word description.
- Start Date: State when you began this activity (month/day/year)
- End Date (optional): State when you completed this activity (month/day/year). If you are still doing it, leave this blank.
- Ongoing (optional): If this is an ongoing activity, check this box.
- Frequency: Select from the dropdown menu how often you participate in this activity (for example ‘Regular Weekly Activity (5-10 hours per week).
- Short Description (max 300 characters): Briefly describe your role in this activity and what it was for (e.g. President of your school’s economics club). Then, describe what you did, as well as what quantifiable outcomes (i.e. money earned, hours dedicated, etc.) and what you learned as a result of taking part in this activity (if you have space).
COACH’S TIP: When you’re applying, you will have to add each activity individually (see the image below for what it looks like). Our template will ensure that you have all the correct information beforehand so you can have everything prepared and proofread.
UBC Sauder Application: Personal Profile Question 4 – Example
Here’s an example of a list of activities for this question.
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2025 UBC Sauder Application: Personal Profile – Question 5
Tell us more about one or two activities listed above that are most important to you. Please explain the role you played and what you learned in the process. You will be asked for a reference who can speak to your response. (Maximum 500 words)
UBC Sauder Application: Personal Profile Question 5 – Breakdown
This question is an opportunity to showcase an activity (or two) that has had a significant impact on you. The focus is on illustrating how your role contributed to personal growth and what lessons or skills you gained through the experience.
Choose activities where your involvement was meaningful and where you can clearly describe your contributions and growth. The admissions team wants to see more than just a summary; they want to understand the depth of your commitment and how these experiences have shaped you.
COACH’S TIP: Select examples that are unique and highlight your personal journey. Dive into moments that tested you or where you made a notable impact. Your response should paint a clear picture of your dedication and outcomes, using specific, vivid examples to illustrate the learning and skills gained.
Key Points to Emphasize:
- Your Role: Clearly explain your responsibilities and what you did.
- Challenges and Growth: Showcase moments that were challenging and how you navigated them.
- Learning and Impact: Highlight key insights or skills you developed and their significance.
- Authenticity: Ensure your response feels personal and sincere. This is your chance to show the admissions team who you are beyond grades and accolades.
The evaluators are looking for thoughtful, specific answers that demonstrate engagement, leadership, and self-reflection. Make sure to include enough detail to show depth without losing clarity. A strong, reflective response can set you apart and provide a meaningful glimpse into your character.
UBC Sauder Application: Personal Profile Question 5 – Template
Get started on your template here (click File > Make a copy and save it to your computer).
REMEMBER: There is a maximum of 500 words.
We suggest following our Narrative Communication Approach.
UBC Sauder Application: Personal Profile Question 5 – Example
Hook
The hardest decisions don’t come with a flashing sign that says, “Right this way.” Instead, they sneak up on you in moments you least expect—like staring at a whiteboard marker, deciding between speaking up or staying silent. For me, that moment happened in a classroom, and it completely changed how I see leadership.
Context
It was my first week as a peer tutor in my school’s math support program. I’d signed up because I loved math and wanted to help others feel confident tackling difficult problems. But that day, the classroom wasn’t buzzing with collaboration or focus. One student, Jonathan, had taken over the session, loudly criticizing others for not understanding the material as quickly as he did. The other students were quiet, their eyes downcast, clearly uncomfortable.
I hesitated, marker in hand, unsure what to do. Confronting Jonathan felt risky. What if he turned his frustration on me? At the same time, staying silent felt like an even bigger mistake. The group depended on this space to feel safe and supported, and I had a responsibility to make sure that happened.
Catalyst
I decided to act. I walked up to Jonathan and calmly said, “Hey, I understand you’re frustrated, but let’s break this down to figure it out. If they’re not getting it this way, let’s try something else that might work better for them.” His face showed surprise, but he nodded and sat down.
Turning to the group, I shifted the focus by inviting someone else to walk through the solution on the board. I intentionally chose a quieter student, offering gentle encouragement as she explained her thinking. The room began to relax, and others started contributing too. Slowly, the dynamic changed—students who had stayed silent earlier began asking questions and engaging with the problems.
Outcome
By the end of the session, the group felt like a different place. Jonathan even apologized quietly as he packed up his things, and I saw him helping another student during the next session.
That day taught me that leadership isn’t always about having authority—it’s about stepping up when the moment calls for it. It’s about creating an environment where everyone feels valued and supported. My decision to address Jonathan wasn’t easy, but it allowed the group to refocus and ensured no one felt left behind.
Reflection
This experience reshaped my understanding of leadership. I realized it’s not just about managing situations—it’s about fostering collaboration and ensuring everyone’s voice is heard. It also showed me the importance of courage, even when the stakes seem small. That single moment of speaking up had a ripple effect on the group, and it strengthened my confidence in my ability to lead.
I’ve carried this lesson into other areas of my life, whether it’s working on group projects, volunteering, or coaching sports teams. Leadership is about choosing the harder path when it’s the right thing to do and ensuring the people around you feel empowered.
2025 UBC Sauder Application: Personal Profile – Question 6
2025 UBC Sauder Application: Personal Profile – Question 6
Additional Information (Optional): You may wish to use the space below to provide UBC with more information on your academic history to date and/or your future academic plans. For example: How did you choose your courses in secondary school? Are there life circumstances that have affected your academic decisions to date? What have you done to prepare yourself specifically for your intended area of study at UBC? (maximum 500 words)
UBC Sauder Application: Personal Profile Question 6 – Breakdown
So far in your Personal Profile, you’ve given the admissions committee some insight into your experiences and achievements inside and outside of the classroom with volunteer opportunities, extracurriculars, and various other activities.
All of these questions show how you undertake responsibilities, deal with setbacks when they arise, and have grown as a person along the way. Think of this as the development of your interests and passions through the activities you are involved in.
Question 6, on the other hand, focuses less on extracurriculars and other activities, and looks inside the classroom. Here, the reviewers want to know how your academic journey has developed your interest in business and led to you applying to UBC Sauder.
This question is very open-ended so that you can focus on any area that has impacted your academic choices and performance. This is a great place for you to provide more context about any irregularities in your transcripts, like a course you didn’t do the best in or explaining a gap year you took.
If you aren’t sure what to write here (if anything at all), have a look at your Student Identity Blueprint™ to help you identify why your interest in business began, your achievements thus far, and the skills/values that helped shape this interest (and who you are more generally). If you haven’t already completed your Blueprint, connect with a coach to get started on one.
The most important thing to focus on for this question is how your courses in high school helped you develop your interest in business, which you are then continuing to explore at UBC Sauder.
You can discuss a gradual development over time or a specific event that changed academic choices/plans.
Focus on business courses as much as you can here, like Business Studies, Accounting, or Entrepreneurship. Think about such questions as:
- What made you want to take this course?
- What challenges did you face when you did?
- How did this evolve your interest in business more generally?
- What skills, like leadership, communication, team work, and problem solving, did you develop along the way, and how?
- How will these skills and experiences you developed help you at Sauder, and how?
COACH’S TIP: Use specific details and talk about the emotions you experienced as much as you can. This will help create an emotional connection with the reader and transport them into exactly what you felt during the situation/experience you are talking about.
If you are unsure how to approach this question, connect with a coach to find an authentic angle that will connect with the reviewers while communicating your unique journey.
UBC Sauder Application: Personal Profile Question 6 – Template
Get started on your template here (click File > Make a copy and save it to your computer).
REMEMBER: There is a maximum of 600 characters.
We suggest following our Narrative Communication Approach.
UBC Sauder Application: Personal Profile Question 6 – Example
Here’s an example of an answer to this question:
REMEMBER: Please note that all of the examples in this guide are EXAMPLES ONLY and are NOT meant for you to copy.
2025 UBC Sauder Application: Personal Profile – Question 7
Please submit the names of two referees who know you well and can comment on your preparedness for study at UBC. Examples of referees include an employer, a community member, a coach, a teacher/instructor, or anyone who knows you well. One of the referees you select MUST be able to speak to one of the activities / experiences described in one of your long-answer responses above. For applicants who are currently attending a high school, one of your referees MUST be a school official (e.g. grade 12 or senior year counsellor, teacher, or IB Coordinator). Neither referee should be a friend, family member, or paid agent.
UBC Sauder Personal Profile Question 7 – Breakdown
The purpose of this question is so that UBC Sauder can verify the activities, experiences, and learning outcomes you discussed in the previous questions.
Before listing the names and contact information for your references, make sure that you ask them for permission first, so that if they get a call or email from UBC Sauder then they’re not surprised.
UBC Sauder Personal Profile Question 7 – Template
Get started on your template here (click File > Make a copy)
You will need the following information:
- First Name
- Last Name
- Relationship
- Email Address
- Phone Number
UBC Sauder School of Business Program
Now that you’ve created an extraordinary application, we want to show you what your future at UBC Sauder School of Business looks like!
Check out this Day in the Life of a UBC Sauder Student by Jerry, one of Youthfully’s student Insiders. He’ll give you a sneak peek at life as a first year, the UBC campus, application tips, and much more!
You’ve Got a Dedicated Coach in Your Corner
For over a decade, we have worked with thousands of students to help them achieve more than they ever thought possible.
Our coaches have a strong success rate supporting students as they apply to UBC Sauder BCom, among other top university programs.
Our 1-on-1 Youth Coaching fills that gap that most high schools miss. We can help you build self-awareness through probing questions and assessments, set bigger goals to elevate your extracurriculars and future career plans, and improve skills that matter on applications, such as interviewing, written communication, critical thinking, and creativity.
We use a coaching methodology, called ‘full student’ development, that’s been proven to increase your chances of admission to top-tier universities and obtaining competitive jobs/internships.
So, what are you waiting for? Fulfill your post-secondary potential with the mentorship and coaching you’ve always wanted! 🙂
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2025 Personal Profile Qs 1-2
2025 Video Interview Q 3
2025 Personal Profile Qs 4-7
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