ubc essay what is important to you

Initiative - What is important to you? And why? UBC PERSONAL PROFILE

Holt  Educational Consultant - / 15384   Nov 22, 2020   #2 Reviewers really dislike applicants who open their responses with a quote from a well known figure. While you think it makes you come across as smart and well read, what the reviewer sees is someone incapable of presenting himself in an interesting manner. So you rely on a quotation from someone else to create a possible hook for your essay. It is always better to avoid using quotes from other people and just jumping into the discussion using your own words. Your second paragraph, your own words about why initiative is important to you was far more interesting and more effective in introducing your personality or mindset to the reviewer. It worked very well and did not need the Van Gogh quote to help it become relevant to your statement response. It is important that you use a successful initiative activity in the presentation. You want to come across a winner in the eyes of the reviewer. Work on building that image up by showing a concern for something, then successfully taking the initiative to resolve the situation, problem, or issue on hand. Your response is a bit scattered because this is just a draft. Using my comments, you should be able to develop a better suited response.

How to Master Your Application: UBC Personal Profile Examples

Do you dream of walking the halls of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre? Or late-night study sessions in the Koerner Library? What about meeting up with your friends at the Piper Fountain? 

When applying to UBC , your Personal Profile is a chance for UBC to find out more about your hobbies, interests, values and life beyond grade percentages and academics. Keep in mind that, though your grades are beneficial to your application, your work experience and how you portray it is integral to applying to UBC. This guide has been updated for 2024 & 2025, so let's kick off these applications strong!

UBC is ranked as one of the top schools in the country in 2024. So it’s no wonder you’re considering one of its world-class education programs for yourself or your child. But if you know about UBC’s scenic campuses and tight-knit student communities, you probably also know that over 40,000 students apply to UBC each year and only 52% get in. 

It’s a daunting number that leaves many students feeling uncertain about their odds of getting accepted. Fortunately, however, UBC’s admissions process is not based on dumb luck. There’s a lot you can do to increase your likelihood of getting accepted and even secure the funding you need to go.

Let’s put the ‘U’ in UBC  

Alright, that was pretty bad. But we mean it. When it comes to getting into your dream school, sometimes what matters most is you! Not your grades or academic resume. We’re talking about your Personal Profile. Like many universities, UBC collects a Personal Profile from students in order to discover more about your hobbies, interests, values and life beyond grade percentages and academics. It tells them a bit about who you are so they can determine if U would be a good fit for UBC.

Okay, last one, I promise.

UBC Personal Profile

UBC conducts their Personal Profile in a Q&A format with an expectation that students will provide essay style answers. Many students treat it as a meaningless exercise, but the ones who take it seriously will set themselves apart in the admissions process. It can take a lot of work to be properly prepared, but getting your Personal Profile right can be a gamechanger in whether or not you get accepted. Working with a GrantMe education consultant has helped thousands of students ace their Personal Profile, leading to outcomes such as early acceptance and scholarships to fund their education. 

The purpose of this article is to walk you through a well-constructed UBC Personal Profile, using professionally-crafted content that you can use as a model for your own Personal Profile. Throughout the examples offered, we’ll offer the kinds of tips a GrantMe education consultant would give you, so you can understand how a well-prepared student who’s looking to set themselves apart thinks about this crucial portion of the application process.

Here are our best tips to answer your personal profile questions, along with some UBC personal profile examples:

Preparing for the UBC Personal Profile:

The best practice is to practice! We recommend students spend plenty of time preparing their Personal Profile responses before they start their online application. You’ve done your program assessment , so you should have some great insights into your strong suits and what sets you apart. However, putting those insights on paper is a different story. Here are some tips that will help you turn those gold nuggets into a gold star submission:

• Take time to reflect. Instead of simply listing your accomplishments and experiences, tell the UBC committee what you’ve learned from them.
• Be specific. Use details to provide context and elaborate on your answers.
• Be true to who you are. Don’t focus on what you think UBC wants to hear. Be authentic and use your unique voice to tell them what you want to say.
• Utilize the full word count (or as close as possible without going over) to create an effective essay and have the best impact on the UBC committee.

Writing your Personal Profile:

You’ll be seeing the word STAR a lot throughout this guide! STAR is an effective way to structure your experiences within your essays. Before reading on, check out our video below for a complete guide on how to use the STAR structure!

Depending on which degree(s) you apply to, you’ll be asked to answer some or all of the following questions in your UBC Personal Profile. Let’s take a look at each prompt question, a description on how to structure your answers, and an example for each essay.

UBC Personal Profile Examples

1. 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?

• You’ll want to start with a Hook (1-2 sentences) that grabs the reader's attention & introduces an unfamiliar situation.
• Then, talk about your experience that describes the situation using STAR to demonstrate how you overcame it. (3-5 sentences)
• Last, add your reflection (1-2 sentences)- reflect on the experience and what you learned from it and how you will use that lesson in the future.

I was terrified at the news of immigrating to Canada from India when I was 15 years old. With English as my second language, I struggled to acclimate to my new environment, and felt very alone within my new school. Typically a shy person, I knew I had to step outside of my comfort zone to meet new people, so I joined the Multicultural Club. Throughout my time with the Multicultural Club, I organized many events including the Potluck Lunch and Book Drive, but I am most proud of initiating the Welcome Wagon, a club that helps new students feel welcome and accepted on their first day. As the spearhead, I recruited members from the Multicultural Club and created and placed posters on the school walls for any students who wanted to participate. I collaborated with the administration who let me know when new students would be starting their first day throughout the school year, and planned a bottle drive to raise funds for new student gift bags. So far we have welcomed eight new students who immediately felt safe and accepted, who have all planned to continue the Welcome Wagon once I have graduated. Through this experience, I have learned that taking small steps can lead to impactful moments and have strengthened my communication and organizational skills. I plan to use these newfound skills to initiate an inclusive club within UBC.

2. Tell us about who you are. How would your family, friends, and/or members of your community describe you? If possible, please include something about yourself that you are most proud of and why.

• This is a great opportunity to boast about yourself! Choose one or two qualities that your friends and family would describe you as, and use that as a launching pad to talk about what you’re most proud of! This should be an impressive role in your community that emulates the quality that you are discussing.

Compassionate, driven and goofy are the adjectives my family and friends would use when describing my character. Throughout my life, I have been praised for the attentive and dedicated passion that I give to everything I do, including my corny knock-knock jokes. My unrelenting hard work has led me to academic excellence - maintaining a two year average of 93%, excelling in challenging courses like Biology and Calculus. As an ambitious leader, I welcome challenges, which is exemplified in my contributions as President of the Student Council during the Covid-19 pandemic. I led a team through virtual events including the senior graduation ceremony, and became a support system for students during remote learning. Our online events continue to provide educational resources for students, mental health support, and promote antiracism within my school. Through creating multiple spreadsheets and organizing weekly online planning sessions, tasks were easily delegated to make each event safe and successful. I made sure to start each meeting with a fun ice-breaker to keep the meetings interesting and most often ended with a “hilarious” joke. As an empathetic leader, I continue to address issues in my school’s community, and create an inclusive environment focused on student well-being and success. My ability to understand the unique needs of each individual, empathize with their challenges, and support them intently makes me the leader that I am proud to be.

3. What is important to you? And why?

• This question is short and simple. And that is exactly how you should answer it! If animals are important to you, discuss how you volunteered at a vet clinic. If anti-racism is important to you, discuss your advocacy work! Connect your interests to the work you’ve done. You can also connect these qualities to any awards you may have won in or outside of school. This is a great place to use STAR! Check out our YouTube video on using STAR to structure your essays! If you’re struggling to connect your volunteer experiences to an important value, check out the UN Sustainable Goals chart . If you can relate your volunteer work to tackling one of these causes, then you are on the right track!

For as long as I can remember, animals have been my passion. By choice, I became a vegan when I was nine because I could not fathom the idea of eating something I cherished so much. From a young age, I knew I was meant to work with animals, and growing up, I started learning more about the importance of animal welfare. Learning that thousands of animals around the world suffer from being used for entertainment, food, medicine, fashion, scientific advancement, or as exotic pets, I decided to start an annual fundraiser to support the Animal Welfare Foundation of Canada (AWFC). Collaborating with a local gas station, I organized the Animal Welfare Bottle Drive-Car Wash where drivers could donate bottles and cans in exchange to have their car cleaned. I recruited volunteers through social media posts and advertised the event through the local radio station and newspaper. We also made large posters to hang up on the day of the event for easy visibility and directions. I reached out to the local hardware store for donations of sponges and safe soap for automobiles, and the local coffee shop donated 50 donuts and bottled water for the customer snack table. And just in case patrons wanted to donate cash, we placed a donation can right next to the donuts, along with informational flyers to help educate about animal welfare. The volunteers and I decided to rotate through the tasks throughout the six hour day, including collecting and sorting bottles, spraying down and sponge washing the vehicles, along with towel drying them. Overall, we collected $430 worth of bottles and cans, along with $250 in cash donations to contribute to the AWFC, which will help improve the lives of over 50 animals throughout Canada. As all of the flyers were distributed, multiple people are now more educated about the importance of this cause, and my team has developed a strong sense of community through this event. My communication and organizational skills will benefit the UBC Pre-Veterinary and Animal Welfare Club, as I plan to initiate more fundraisers within the group, along with returning to Nanaimo each summer for the annual AWFC Bottle Drive-Car Wash.  I believe animals should be respected as citizens of this earth, and as a future vet, I plan to work towards educating others and being a changemaker in every patient I treat.

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)

• Be diverse in your activities and throughout your application. Try to aim for experiences in multiple areas (academic achievement + community service + athletics). If applicable, you can include creative or employment initiatives.
• The prompt asks for “up to” 5 activities, but don’t let that fool you! They want five!
• 1 sentence - Describe the achievement and your main goal why you wanted to accomplish this.
• 1 sentence - Describe the steps/strategies/set of plans you took to meet your goal.
• 1 sentence - Describe the result or the positive impact of your efforts.

Last year, I joined the X program to invent a tool that delivers safe drinking water in the province of Y. Through my efforts of using Z technology, our team was able to provide potable water to 300 families in Y.

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.

• Aim to start with a 1-2 sentence Hook to catch the reader's attention.
• Afterwards, describe the experience(s) using STAR structure! For this example, we’ll break down the STAR structure for you!

(Hook) Extinction is a natural phenomenon, claiming about five species per year. But some experts suggest we’re in the midst of the sixth mass extinction — one that is caused mostly by human activity. (S) As a dedicated environmental advocate, I decided to join The Eco-Warrior Club, a student club that promotes sustainability and environmental preservation, in 2023. (T) As this year's club president, I aim to extend the influence of our club to the community to develop more environmental leaders in our community. (A)   With this, I led the planning and organization of activities such as the No Plastic Week Challenge, Zero Waste Online Campaign, and Sustainability Workshop Series. I created project timelines to ensure preparations were completed on time and delegated assignments to my team members to ensure tasks were distributed evenly. (R) As a result, we inspired the youth in our community to participate in sustainability practices through fun and engaging activities. I am delighted whenever I hear our youth participants engage in stimulating conversations on sustainability and environmentalism. The heightened interest in these topics has also motivated me to start the Eco-Warrior Youth Organization to widen our reach and develop more youth leaders to fight against the climate crisis.

6. Briefly describe the culture of your school community and your involvement within it. What impact has the school culture had on you? How would you enhance or change it?

• Again, you’ll want to start with a hook to catch the reader’s attention, and this would be a great place to share your school’s culture!
• Last, add your reflection (1-2 sentences)- reflect on the experience and what you learned from it.

Through the culture of student leadership, opportunity and inclusivity, St. Williams High’s Code of Conduct states that “All students have the right to learn in a safe environment without

discrimination of any kind”.  I often witnessed certain social groups within my school not following these values through racial comments and lack of inclusivity within their events. As a member of the Social Justice Club, I decided to organize a campaign to spread awareness about the effects of bullying and racism. We tied white ribbons on the classroom door handles which symbolize International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (IDERD) around the world. I brainstormed with my team to come up with quick inspiring announcements that we can make on the PA each morning for a week. We created posters and banners to hand throughout the school, and I manned an information booth at lunch for the week, creating a safe space for students to come talk.  The campaign was also publicized in a local newspaper, spreading awareness beyond our area to the entire Nanaimo community. Due to our campaign, multiple local businesses hung white ribbons, and students of Williams High became more aware of how their actions can affect others. As the IDERD campaign was a success, my principle has made it an annual event, and has placed a support (suggestion) box near the office for students experiencing social challenges. Through this experience, I have learned that taking action through leadership can impact more people than who you planned to target. I gained valuable leadership and organization skills and plan to continue utilizing these to abolish discrimination and foster inclusivity.

7. Additional Information: 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 100 words)

• If you have any extenuating circumstances , adversity , or financial challenges, then focus on them! This section also can be used to emphasize your potential for growth (academic or personal). Although it is optional, please answer this section, as simply filling it out demonstrates a genuine interest in the school.
• When describing your financial need, think of your financial situation over the last four years. How does your family make their income? What does it go towards? Describe any challenges or adversity you and/or your family have faced. Consider what financial adversity may have prevented you from doing. What has it held you back from?*

Consider also describing some of the below points if they apply to your situation:

• If you are living in a rental home
• If you have limited financial support from parents
• If your degree is longer than a Bachelor's degree
• If you are subsidizing your education costs through employment
• If your family considers themself "low income"
• If you have more than one sibling that needs their education paid for
• If you are only supported by one family income
• If there are any medical expenses or family member’s medical expenses.

When my parents first immigrated to Canada in 2007, their Foreign Educational Credentials were not valid according to Canadian standards. For years, I watched my parents work extra jobs and take online classes in order to earn extra income for our family and retain their financial degrees. After over ten years of hard work, the sum of our family’s income finally surpasses the basic needs of my family including rent, groceries and bills. Unfortunately, they were not able to save any funds for my two siblings’ and my post-secondary education. Fostering their commitment and hard work, I have worked part-time for a popular food chain in order to support myself and my family, and have saved over $2500.00. Achieving this has come with many handy budgeting and saving techniques and ultimately missing out on multiple social functions due to the costs. Witnessing my parents’ selflessness has ingrained in me the need to help others, so I have volunteered with the local food bank, spent two summers as a camp counselor, and supported multiple students as a tutor. I have gained beneficial skills and values through these experiences, including compassion, integrity, organization and critical thinking, which I hope to use throughout my studies and extracurricular activities at UBC. As my four-year degree will cost approximately $ 32,000, I have been applying for scholarships and saving 75% of my paycheck. My parents have been my inspiration and, although they could not give us all the material things my peers had, they gave me core values and work ethic, which will benefit me more in the long run.

This year, UBC included an extra question about the pandemic!:

2. Give us an example of how the pandemic has changed your involvement in the community or group most important to you. What have you learned from this experience?

• For this question, make sure to talk about a volunteer experience or an extracurricular activity that you were involved in before the pandemic - – did they transition remotely? Were they cancelled? How did you deal with that? What new skills did you use to cope with this drastic change? This is a good opportunity to discuss your flexibility with BIG changes! (It’s best not to make this essay about how the pandemic affected your academics).

Covid-19 devastated the world within a matter of weeks. Lockdowns were put in place as many lost family members and friends. When my soccer coach announced that our training would be put on hold, I felt somewhat defeated as I had just been named team captain just days before. Acknowledging the heartbreak too many experienced, I could not allow myself to be disappointed. I decided to start a team Instagram account posting daily inspirational quotes, and asked each player to send me their favorite personal photo to post. I collaborated with my coach to start online weekly Zoom meetings to go over different plays and drills for the team to practice individually at home. During our meetings, I encouraged input from each player and provided empathetic support for those who felt discouraged. Once Covid protocols allowed in-person training, our team was stronger than ever and we went on to win our only three games of the season. I have realized that perseverance through difficult times takes effort as a leader, but is worth it. With the collaboration and organizational skills I gained, I plan to lead my team to the Nationals next season.

What does UBC look for?

Now that you have some UBC Personal Profile examples to help you structure your application, let’s take a look at the 4 main things UBC looks for in their Personal Profiles:

Engagement and Accomplishment

Think about how you pursue your interests while also managing your responsibilities. With your free time, are you supporting your community? What accomplishments are you most proud of? Do some self-reflection on these accomplishments. How have they impacted your community, yourself, and the world around you in a positive way? A GrantMe education consultant can help you organize your student resume and learn how to let it shine in your Personal Profile answers.

When the topic of leadership arises, you should be thinking of your responsibilities. How did you manage your responsibilities? Everyone has a leadership style and our education consultants are experienced in helping you discover and communicate yours when crafting your Personal Profile.

When writing out your work experience, make sure that it sounds compelling. To be compelling, you must be authentic in your experiences. Choose relevant experiences that you’re passionate about. If you’re wondering how GrantMe students have done it, check out Mattie – a GrantMe student that won over $200,000 and the coveted Schulich Award. She gives some advice to students:

“Make sure you’re picking out activities that you’re actually passionate about and you actually enjoy doing. A lot of students pick out activities that they think scholarship committees want to hear about. Stick to what you value.”

– Mattie, Schulich Leader Scholarship Winner

Your voice is your authentic self. To portray your most authentic self, write a personal profile that is genuine to who you are. Your identity is a big factor that influences your biases and unique experiences. So, don’t hesitate to discuss your identity!

The results of a well-constructed Personal Profile speak for themselves. Just look at Paige Ingram , a UBC student who aced her applications thanks to GrantMe’s premium offerings.

She ended up earning a UBC Presidential Scholar’s Major Entrance Award of $80,000 as well as other smaller scholarships. Now, she’s a GrantMe mentor focused on helping students just like her. Learn if you’re eligible for GrantMe’s premium education consulting programs by taking our program assessment quiz today.

Get Started Securing Your Future At UBC

A well-crafted Personal Profile is only one piece of the admissions puzzle. You already know getting accepted into UBC is no small task, but with a thoughtful approach and the right support, you might find it to be a smoother process than you thought.

Don’t waste any more time feeling overwhelmed or unsure about what to do next. You can get started today by completing the program assessment quiz and discovering how you measure up against top students in the country. This is a great way to find out if you could benefit from working with a GrantMe education consultant and whether or not you qualify for our comprehensive offering of programs. I

t’s time to take your next step towards getting accepted to your dream school and even securing the funding to pay for it. Your future as a Thunderbird just might depend on it!

Join The GrantMe Program

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UBC Personal Profile: Examples, Samples, and Our Best Tips – Part Two

Welcome to Part Two of our guide on the UBC personal profile! In the first part , we covered the basics—what the personal profile is, who needs to submit it, and how it’s evaluated. Now, it’s time to take a closer look at each of the specific questions you’ll need to answer in your application.

In this section, we’ll break down each question, explain what the admissions committee is looking for, and share strategies to help you answer them in a way that highlights your unique strengths and experiences. To make this even more actionable, we’ve included sample essays that show one way to effectively approach each prompt.

Whether you’re unsure where to start or need inspiration for how to structure your answers, we’ve got you covered. With the right approach and a bit of guidance, you’ll be able to craft a personal profile that stands out from the crowd and leaves a lasting impression on UBC’s admissions team.

Understanding the UBC Personal Profile Questions

To help you craft a standout application, it’s important to understand what each of the profile questions is really asking—and how you can respond in a way that highlights your unique qualities, experiences, and potential. In this section, we’ll break down each question, offering guidance on what UBC is looking for and providing tips from our Writing Coaches to help you reflect on your experiences and respond thoughtfully. By carefully considering these prompts and responding with detail and authenticity, you’ll be able to create a profile that truly represents who you are.

The following discussion will focus on the personal profile questions for students applying to programs outside of commerce. If you’re looking for commerce-specific information, stay tuned next week for part three!

1. Tell us about who you are. How would your family, friends, and/or members of your community describe you? If possible, please include something about yourself that you are most proud of and why. (1500 characters)

What it’s asking:

• This question invites you to reflect on your identity and how others see you. It’s about your character, values, and self-awareness.
• You are also encouraged to include something you’re particularly proud of, which could be an achievement or a personal quality.

Things to think about:

• What are the qualities that your family and friends value in you? Are you dependable, creative, empathetic, or a natural leader?
• Consider the impact you’ve had on others. Are you proud of your perseverance, your kindness, or your work ethic?
• Don’t just list traits—illustrate them with examples to give a fuller picture of who you are.

Tips from our Writing Coaches :

• Don’t treat this question like a resume and try to fit all your important traits, values, and activities into one essay.
• Instead, consider choosing one trait or accomplishment that you’re particularly proud of and use an example to illustrate this. Are you proud of your resilience in the face of challenging circumstances? Great, show readers this with an example (like that hiking trip you went on where it rained for five days straight, or that grade 12 pre-calc class you took in grade 11). Think about why you’re proud of this trait, and how others in your orbit view you (did your math teacher notice that you were always the first student in line for office hours, or did your scout leader appreciate your humour during the damp days?)
• Think of this essay as telling a cohesive story.

Sample essay :

If you asked my family, friends, and community to describe me, they’d highlight my dedication and leadership. I’m particularly proud of founding and leading a peer mentorship program at my high school. Recognizing the challenges many students face, I aimed to create a supportive environment where others could find guidance and encouragement. I organized weekly tutoring sessions where senior students assisted students in grades 8 and 9 with challenging subjects like math and science. These initiatives boosted academic performance and fostered a sense of mutual support among students. Witnessing their increased confidence and resilience has been profoundly rewarding.

As the program developed, I sought to improve it by implementing several key changes. To ensure that we were meeting the needs of all students, I introduced a feedback system where both tutors and tutees could share their experiences and suggest improvements. This feedback allowed us to adjust our approach, whether it was providing more personalized support or focusing on different teaching methods. These changes made the program more responsive to students’ needs and contributed to a deeper sense of community. 

This experience has reinforced my passion for supporting others and creating environments where people can thrive. I’m excited to bring this spirit of leadership, collaboration, and problem-solving to UBC, where I look forward to contributing to campus life and continuing to grow personally and academically.

2. What is important to you? And why? (1500 characters)

• This question seeks to understand your values and motivations. What drives you? Why do you care about the things you do?
• It’s an opportunity to show what matters to you personally and why you’ve chosen to invest your time or energy into certain things.
• Consider your values—what principles guide your decisions or actions? This could be anything from environmental sustainability, social justice, or the pursuit of knowledge.
• Think about your passions—what do you dedicate time to, even when there are no rewards or recognition?
• Be honest and reflective—UBC wants to see your genuine self and what makes you tick.
• Don’t treat this essay as purely a reflective or philosophical piece.
• Instead, once you’ve chosen what principle or value is important to you, provide concrete examples of it being important in your life. If education is important to you, don’t forget to mention that peer tutoring position you signed up for, or if curiosity is important to you, your essay would be incomplete without mentioning the computer you built all by yourself over the summer.
• Don’t forget to think about how what’s important to you will benefit you (and others) next year at UBC and beyond!

One of the most significant challenges I’ve faced was adjusting to high school after moving to a new city. I didn’t know anyone, and it was hard to find my place. Instead of letting that make me feel isolated, I decided to get involved by joining the school’s debate team. My old school didn’t have a debate team, and I had always wanted to try it, so even though I was nervous, I saw it as an opportunity.

In the beginning, I felt unsure of myself—there were so many seasoned debaters who seemed much more confident. But I made a point to attend every practice, listen carefully to the feedback, and ask questions. I also took the initiative to research topics, so I could better prepare for debates. Over time, I found that practicing outside of team meetings helped me refine my skills. I also took the time to support my teammates, by giving them constructive feedback and encouraging them before big events. As I contributed more to the team, I began to feel a sense of belonging.

What’s important to me is the belief that challenges are opportunities for growth. Whether it’s academic pressure or personal struggles, I believe it’s how we respond that defines us. Through these experiences, I learned to become more independent and became more empathetic toward others who face their own challenges.

I’m excited to continue growing in new environments, and I believe UBC will provide me with the challenges and opportunities to develop further. I look forward to learning from others and contributing to a community that values growth through perseverance.

3. 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: (500 characters each)

• Family/community responsibilities
• Creative or performing arts
• Work/employment
• Service to others
• This question asks you to list and elaborate on key activities or accomplishments. You should focus on the roles you’ve held, your level of responsibility, and the impact you’ve had.
• You can choose from a wide variety of experiences, so select activities that showcase your involvement, commitment, and leadership potential.
• Choose activities that are meaningful and impactful. For example, don’t just list a club you were part of—describe your specific role and contributions.
• Include a range of activities that demonstrate different strengths, whether academic, leadership, community involvement, or personal passions.
• Be specific about your responsibilities and any accomplishments (e.g., organized an event, led a team, improved a program).
• Use this section to highlight activities you won’t have a chance to discuss in other sections of your profile. Try not to repeat activities or accomplishments throughout your profile (with the exception of question four, which specifically asks that you discuss one or two of the activities listed in this section).
• Remember to focus on what you personally contributed to the activity.
• Don’t forget to discuss what you learned through each activity. This makes a great concluding sentence for each activity description.

Sample essay:

1. Organizing School Talent Show (Club): I took the lead in organizing my school’s annual talent show, where I was responsible for recruiting performers, coordinating rehearsals, and managing event logistics. I worked closely with a team of students to create promotional materials, arrange sound and lighting, and ensure everything ran smoothly on the day of the event. This experience taught me how to manage time effectively, work under pressure, and collaborate with a large group of people.

2. Volunteering at the Local Food Bank (Volunteer): Every month, I volunteer at the local food bank, where I assist with sorting donations and packaging food for families in need. I’ve worked closely with a team to organize community drives and ensure that the food bank runs smoothly during peak seasons. This experience has taught me the value of giving back to my community and the importance of addressing food insecurity in a hands-on way.

3. Senior Soccer Team (Athletics): I’ve been a member of my high school’s varsity soccer team for three years, playing as a midfielder. In addition to practicing multiple times a week, I also help mentor younger players, teaching them new skills and encouraging teamwork. I was also selected as team captain this year, where I helped organize practices, led team discussions, and made sure everyone stayed motivated and supported throughout the season.

4. School Newspaper (Club): I am a writer and editor for my school’s newspaper. I’ve contributed articles on various topics, from student life to environmental issues. As an editor, I review submissions, provide feedback to writers, and help organize the layout of the paper. This role has strengthened my writing, teamwork, and communication skills. It’s also helped me become more involved in school affairs and learn about journalistic integrity.

5. Babysitting and Family Responsibilities (Family/Community): As the oldest child, I take on significant family responsibilities, including looking after my younger siblings after school. I also manage household chores, such as meal preparation and organizing family schedules. Babysitting has taught me how to handle multiple tasks at once, stay patient in challenging situations, and be a role model for my siblings. Balancing these duties with school has also helped me develop time management and problem-solving skills.

4. 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.

• This question asks you to provide more detail about one or two key activities that have been especially significant to you.
• You should describe your role in these activities, the challenges you faced, and the personal growth or insights gained from them.
• Which activities have had the most impact on you, either personally or in terms of your growth?
• Focus on how you contributed and what you learned—this could be leadership skills, teamwork, problem-solving, or resilience.
• Choose activities that are both meaningful and reflective of your values and goals, and be prepared to provide a reference who can speak to your involvement.
• We tend to recommend choosing one activity to discuss in this essay so that you can provide enough detail to really answer the question in the limited character count provided.
• Whether you choose to discuss one or two activities this essay should feel like a cohesive narrative.
• If you choose to discuss two activities, think about how they might be linked together. Perhaps you became involved in one activity because of the other (think: becoming a soccer coach after many years of playing soccer), or perhaps the activities are thematically linked (if you wanted to discuss soccer coaching and peer mentoring, the theme could be working with younger students in a leadership role).

One of the activities that has been most important to me is organizing my school’s annual talent show. As the lead coordinator, I was responsible for overseeing the entire event, from recruiting performers to managing event logistics. 

When I first took on this responsibility, I was excited but also nervous about how much work was involved. My role as the organizer meant that I had to juggle multiple tasks at once, from scheduling rehearsals to ensuring all performers had the materials and support they needed. I also had to communicate constantly with teachers, custodians, and volunteers to ensure everything was in place for the big night.

One of the biggest challenges was managing the time leading up to the event. We had a limited window to rehearse with the performers, which meant I had to be organized and efficient. I created a detailed timeline of events and worked hard to stick to it, making adjustments when unexpected issues came up. There were moments when things didn’t go as planned—like when we faced technical difficulties with the sound system during rehearsal—but I learned that staying calm and asking for help was key. I also realized how important it was to be adaptable and flexible, especially when things didn’t go as smoothly as I’d hoped.

What I took away most from this experience was the value of collaboration. While I was the lead organizer, the success of the event depended on my team’s input and effort. I learned how to delegate tasks, trust others to do their part, and work together to bring the event to life. It wasn’t just about planning and execution—it was about building a supportive environment where everyone felt motivated and valued. The night of the talent show was a huge success, and the feeling of accomplishment we shared as a team made all the hard work worthwhile.

Through organizing the talent show, I learned the importance of time management, effective communication, and teamwork. These are lessons I will carry with me in the future, whether I’m working on another school project, pursuing a career, or contributing to my community.

5. Additional information: 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?

• This question gives you the chance to elaborate on any unique aspects of your academic history or future academic goals that haven’t been covered elsewhere in your application.
• If there’s a particular challenge you’ve faced (e.g., health issues, family responsibilities) that impacted your academic performance, this is the place to explain it.
• It also asks you to reflect on how you’ve prepared for the academic rigours of university and your intended field of study.
• If you’ve taken unconventional courses, had gaps in your studies, or made specific academic choices (like pursuing a particular academic interest), explain why.
• Consider any challenges that may have affected your academic performance (e.g., personal or family struggles) and how you’ve overcome them.
• Highlight any preparations you’ve made for your chosen field of study, such as relevant courses, extracurricular activities, work experience, or self-directed learning.
• This question is often overlooked because it’s listed as “optional”. Do not treat this question as optional!
• Take this as an opportunity to prove to UBC that you know what you’re getting yourself into and that you’re prepared for what lies ahead.

Throughout high school, I have always gravitated toward literature and writing, which led me to choose courses that challenged and nurtured my passion. I took advanced English classes, participated in my school’s book club, and engaged in creative writing workshops outside of school. These experiences helped me develop a deeper understanding of literature, narrative structures, and critical analysis. I also made a point to read widely—from classic novels to contemporary works—to prepare for an English Literature program at UBC.

These questions collectively aim to capture a well-rounded view of you as an applicant—your character, values, academic preparedness, and your ability to contribute to your community. By taking time to reflect deeply on each one and providing specific, meaningful examples, you’ll be able to craft a personal profile that truly stands out.

Ready to Start Writing Your UBC Personal Profile?

Now that you’ve had a closer look at each of the UBC personal profile questions and learned how to approach them, it’s time to put your ideas into action! Use the tips and strategies from this post to craft thoughtful, unique responses that showcase who you are beyond your grades. The personal profile is your chance to shine, so take your time and make each answer count.

If you’d like personalized feedback and expert guidance, our educational consultants and writing coaches are here to help! Book an appointment with us today, and let’s work together to make sure your personal profile stands out to the UBC admissions team.

Plus, stay tuned for Part 3 of our series next week—specifically for commerce students! We’ll be diving into the unique aspects of the Commerce application and how to tackle the personal profile with a focus on business-related skills and experiences.

Ready to take the next step? Get in touch and let’s get started on your path to UBC!

Admissions is a dynamic field and process. This post was written in November of 2024, and the information discussed was accurate at the time of writing, but that information may be different when you are reading this post. Please check each institution’s website for the most recent information.

Alyssa Morris

Over the past four years, Alyssa has worked as a writing coach and now, as an educational consultant at Options Solutions. As a writing coach, she has empowered students with the knowledge of how to develop and enhance their writing. She believes that every student can achieve their goals with the right amount of hard work and support along the way.

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UBC Personal Profile: Examples, Samples, and Our Best Tips – Part One

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UBC Personal Profile: Examples, Question Samples & Prep Tips 2024/2025

If you’re looking for UBC Personal Profile questions, examples, and prep tips, then you’ve come to the right place. 

In the meantime, if you’re serious about getting into UBC, we recommend you schedule a free consultation for our 1-on-1 Youth Coaching services.

Before you dive in, it’s important to understand that UBC admissions committees receive thousands of applications every year. To help you stand out from the crowd , you need to demonstrate a clear sense of self , strong life experience , and exemplary communication skills .

Our ‘full student’ coaching process will help you improve in all these areas (and more!). 

It’s essential to show the admissions committee who you are , what you want to accomplish , and why you’d be a great fit for the University of British Columbia .

You can choose EITHER the Narrative OR the Deductive approach for your UBC Personal Profile essays. The Narrative Approach is usually for Arts/Business programs , or for personal questions where you want to tell a memorable story that creates an emotional connection with the reader. The Deductive Approach is typically used for STEM programs , where you have to provide an argument in a logical and structured way. 

DON’T feel like you have to stick to this model — it’s just a guideline so you can learn to communicate in a way that’s most familiar to you. Just choose the approach that you’re most comfortable with (and get in touch with us if you need some help deciding which is best for your application). 

REMEMBER : This guide offers GENERAL guidance for the Personal Profile and is NOT PROGRAM SPECIFIC — some questions might be added, removed, or different depending on which program you’re applying to. Make sure you do you research and complete the ENTIRE application for your program. 

If you’re serious about getting into your top-choice program at the University of British Columbia and reaching your fullest post-secondary potential, connect with a Youth Coach™ . It’s never too early to receive coaching.

Table of Contents

• UBC Personal Profile Overview : What is the Personal Profile?; Why do you need to write it?; How is it evaluated?; How to use this guide; and More.
• 2024/2025 UBC Personal Profile : Questions; Templates; Examples; Prep Tips; and More.

UBC Personal Profile Examples – Overview

In this section, we’ll go through all the must-know information for your UBC Personal Profile.

What is the UBC Personal Profile?

The Personal Profile is mandatory for ALL high school students applying to any degree on UBC’s Okanagan or Vancouver campuses .  

If you are applying for a Bachelor of Design in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and/or Urbanism, you do not need to submit a Profile. 

The UBC Personal Profile is made up of up to 8 short written essays (depending on the program you’re applying to). Keep reading for a full list of the questions, as well as essay templates and examples for each question.

You can access and submit the Personal Profile on EducationPlannerBC . 

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 to EducationPlannerBC, you will have to upload your answers immediately, so if you have them saved in a separate doc, you can simply copy and paste them.  

IMPORTANT: The application opens on EducationPlannerBC in early October 2024 and the deadline to submit your application (including the Personal Profile) is January 15, 2025 at 11:59pm PST for regular admission.

Why Do You Need to Submit the UBC Personal Profile?

The UBC Personal Profile allows the program(s) you’re applying to get a better sense of who you are beyond your grades . 

Without it, you’re just a name on a page, and it’s really hard to differentiate you from other applicants, especially when everyone is a competitive applicant. 

The UBC Personal Profile asks you to talk about things like your:

• Experiences
• Leadership Potential
• Achievements 
• Challenges you’ve overcome
• Extracurriculars (across multiple years)
• …and all the valuable lessons you’ve learned along the way!

The evaluators use all these details to see if you’d be a good fit for the program you’re applying to and UBC more generally. They will also use this information to see if you will receive an entrance scholarship.

Put simply, they want to figure out what makes you, you , as well as the experiences and lessons that have helped in this process.

The Profile can also help make your application more competitive (especially if your average is a bit lower) because you can emphasize the fact that you’re a well-rounded student who has the drive, skills, and passion to succeed in the program . 

Keep reading for explanations for each question, as well as templates and examples to help you write the best Personal Profile possible.

How is the UBC Personal Profile Evaluated?

The UBC Personal Profile is evaluated by readers who have been trained and are familiar with the area of study you’re applying to. 

While there are no right or wrong answers , the Profile evaluators don’t want you to simply list a bunch of activities you’ve done and things you have accomplished. 

Instead, they want to understand what you’ve learned from doing all these things and that you can articulate deep personal insight in all your answers. They also want you to use specific examples .

Strong essays will answer questions like these:

• What did this experience teach you about yourself?
• What did this experience teach you about others?
• How did this experience change your outlook of the world?
• How did it impact your goals and plans for the future?
• What skills did this experience help you improve? 
• Did this experience start/intensify your passion in your chosen field?
• What did the challenges that arose during this experience teach you?
• How has this experience changed you as a person and as a leader?

UBC Personal Profile Evaluation Rubric

Reviewers evaluate each essay in your Personal Profile according to 4 criteria : 

1. ENGGAGEMENT 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

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. 

2. LEADERSHIP: 

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.

• 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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3. 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 this 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 ). 

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. 

How to Use this UBC Personal Profile App Prep Guide

In this guide, we will provide breakdowns, templates, and examples for all 6 Personal Profile Questions. 

IMPORTANT : The program you’re applying to might not ask you to answer all 6 questions (or some of the questions might be slightly different) or it might have some slight variations on the questions listed below. Make sure you read the ENTIRE application to make sure you aren’t missing anything for your program. For program-specific guidance, connect with a coach any time for support. 

As mentioned above, all our templates use our Narrative Communication & Deductive Communication Approaches, so you can see what an effective structure looks like for the answers. We will use both approaches throughout this guide. Choose whichever approach you’re most comfortable with (or connect with a coach for support ).

We will use UBC Personal Profile templates and examples from the UBC Sauder BCom Personal Profile to show you what essays using the Narrative Approach look like. We have adapted these essays into the Deductive Approach structure so that you can see examples for this communication style as well.  

Ace your UBC Personal Profile.

UBC Alumni & Youth Coach™

2024/2025 UBC Personal Profile Questions & Examples 

Here are the UBC Personal Profile questions , as well as answer examples. 

REMEMBER : The program(s) you’re applying to might include some or all of these questions (or some questions with slight variations). Make sure you read the entire application carefully to make sure you don’t miss anything! You can also connect with us for program-specific guidance .

UBC Personal Profile Answer Examples – Question 1

“Tell us about who you are. How would your family, friends, and/or members of your community describe you? If possible, please include something about yourself that you are most proud of and why. (Maximum 500 words)”

UBC Personal Profile Question 1 – Breakdown

This question is an invitation to showcase your personality, character, and values through the eyes of others. It’s an opportunity to give insight into how you are perceived by those close to you and reflect on what makes you unique.

This prompt is about painting a comprehensive picture of who you are beyond academics or extracurriculars. Think about how your family and friends would describe your qualities, personality traits, and strengths. Consider feedback you’ve received from peers, mentors, or community members. This question is also a chance to highlight what you take pride in and why it’s significant to you.

COACH’S TIP : To make your answer stand out, include a mix of descriptions and specific examples that illustrate these traits in action. For instance, if your friends describe you as empathetic, tell a story that demonstrates a time when you showcased empathy. Similarly, if your community knows you as someone who leads by example, share an instance that reflects this.

The “proud of” component is where you can inject depth and personal reflection. Choose an accomplishment or aspect of yourself that has meaning and connects to your values or future aspirations. Explain why this makes you proud and what it reveals about your character or motivations.

A Note on Voice and Authenticity : Write in a way that reflects your natural voice and personality. This isn’t just about listing qualities; it’s about telling a story that helps the reader feel connected to you. Let your genuine self come through, making the response relatable and memorable.

UBC Personal Profile Question 1 – Template

Get started on your template here   (Click File > Make a Copy within the doc).  

REMEMBER : There is a 500-word limit for this answer.  

We suggest following our  Narrative Communication Approach .

UBC Personal Profile Question 1 – Example

Here’s an example using the Narrative Communication Approach.

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 offence . 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.

The question “why” is a two-edged sword. It’s led to the most incredible breakthroughs and discoveries…but also left many parents thinking twice about their choice to have children.

The things I’m most proud of are my insatiable curiosity and my ability to bring new ideas to life.

This curiosity shaped me from a young age. I’ve always loved exploring ideas, solving problems, and asking questions. As a child, I wasn’t satisfied with simply knowing how something worked—I wanted to understand why it worked that way and how it could be better.

Last year, I noticed something at my school: while our academic achievements and sports victories were regularly celebrated, the creative talents of students often went unnoticed. Students who excelled in art, music, and design didn’t have the same opportunities to showcase their work. That felt wrong to me. Creativity is just as valuable as academic or athletic ability, and I wanted to do something about it.

That’s when my curiosity asked, “Why don’t we celebrate creativity the way we do other achievements?” And then, “What can I do to change that?”

I decided to organize a “Creativity Fair,” an event where students could showcase their artwork, performances, and handmade creations—and even sell their work if they wanted.

Of course, coming up with the idea was the easy part. Making it happen was a different challenge entirely. When I pitched the idea to my principal, she was supportive but cautious. “How will you fund this? How will you get people involved?” she asked. Those questions could have discouraged me, but they only fueled my curiosity further.

I started by forming a team of like-minded classmates. Together, we brainstormed ways to raise money. We hosted bake sales, sold customized school-themed merchandise, and even organized a karaoke night to fund the event. At the same time, I focused on recruiting participants.

I spent hours reaching out to students I knew had creative talents but were hesitant to share them publicly. One of them was a shy ninth grader who loved sculpting but never displayed her work outside of class. I assured her that the fair would be a supportive environment where her talent could shine.

The Creativity Fair was more successful than I could have imagined. On the day of the event, the school gym transformed into a vibrant gallery filled with artwork, inventions, and live performances. Over 50 students participated, and hundreds of people attended, including parents, local business owners, and even a city counsellor!

One highlight of the event was seeing one of the ninth graders I had encouraged display her sculptures. She sold several pieces that day and beamed with pride as people complimented her work. She later told me that the fair had given her the confidence to keep creating and even consider starting a small business.

And she wasn’t the only one. I watched as students who had previously felt unseen gained recognition for their talents and had their work celebrated. A group of musicians performed to cheers from over 100 people, while a grade 12 who created intricate jewelry had her pieces sell out completely within 45 minutes. These moments reinforced the importance of my curiosity and my conviction in bringing ideas to life.

The Creativity Fair taught me that curiosity isn’t just a personal trait—it’s a tool for creating change. By asking “why” and “how,” I learned how to turn a simple idea into something that positively impacted my community. It also taught me the value of persistence, collaboration, and creative problem-solving in bringing a vision to life.

Although my mom would tell you that the frequency with which I ask ‘why’ can test her patience, I’ve learned to channel this curiosity into productive parts of my life rather than letting is cause friction or conflict.

This experience has shaped how I approach challenges, how ideas can be brought to life, and how I identify opportunities. I now understand that every question I ask has the potential to lead to something bigger—and that with determination and teamwork, I can help create meaningful change in my community. These are qualities that I hope to bring to the UBC community.

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UBC Personal Profile Answer Examples – Question 2

“What is important to you? And why? (Maximum 500 words)”

UBC Personal Profile Question 2 – Breakdown

This question is your chance to reveal what matters most to you and to provide the admissions team with a deeper understanding of who you are as a person. It’s not just about stating what you value but explaining why it holds such significance in your life.

This question prompts you to share an experience or realization that highlights your core beliefs and what drives you. Think beyond a simple value and choose something that tells a story about your motivations, choices, or the principles that shape your actions. Maybe your commitment to helping others stems from a formative experience in your community, or your drive for excellence was inspired by a challenge that taught you resilience.

Go beyond surface-level answers and aim for a response that provides insight into your character. The best responses will be authentic and reflective, showing what this value means to you and how it influences your life now and in the future.

COACH’S TIP : Create a vivid and specific picture by incorporating storytelling. Let your response showcase not just what you value, but the journey that led to that realization. Share who you were before this value became central to you, what sparked its importance, and how it has guided you since. Make sure your answer is memorable by showing how this value shapes your decisions and reflects your true self.

Choose examples that demonstrate a clear connection to the value and provide a learning outcome that shows growth or insight. The admissions team wants to see that you understand why this value is important and how it has impacted your view of the world. This reflection adds substance and depth, making your response stand out.

Reviewers will look for thoughtful, well-developed responses that communicate your personal growth and why this value matters. By clearly articulating the significance of this value and connecting it to your life experiences, you’ll craft a compelling essay that leaves a lasting impression.

Not sure how to effectively convey your journey and learning? Our Narrative Communication Guide can help refine your storytelling, and connecting with a coach can offer tailored feedback to elevate your response.

UBC Personal Profile Question 2 – Template

Get started on your template here   (Click File > Make a Copy within the doc).  

REMEMBER : There is a 500-word limit for this answer.  

UBC Personal Profile Question 2 – Example

Community smells like cinnamon rolls. At least, it did for me on a freezing winter morning when my neighbour Sean, carrying a tray of fresh-baked pastries, knocked on our door after the storm. It wasn’t just food—it was a reminder that even in the toughest times, people show up for one another.

I’ve always believed in the power of community, but two years ago, during a severe winter storm, I saw it in action. The storm left many families in my town without power, heat, or access to supplies. Roads were blocked, isolating neighbourhoods, and the cold crept in fast.

At first, the situation felt overwhelming. Everyone seemed to be struggling alone—until Sean showed up with those cinnamon rolls. That simple gesture made me realise surviving this storm wasn’t about waiting for outside help. It was about coming together.

Inspired by that act of kindness, I decided to do more. My family and I turned our garage into a supply hub, collecting donations like blankets, food, and warm clothing. I spread the word through classmates, neighbours, and local businesses.

What started as a donation centre quickly grew into something bigger. Neighbours began offering more than just items. One volunteered their snowplow to clear driveways; another proposed meal deliveries for families without power. People started working together, offering help in ways I hadn’t anticipated.

I took charge of organising these efforts, creating a group chat to match volunteers with those in need. Every new contribution reminded me that communities grow stronger when people step up for each other.

Within a week, our garage became a lifeline for over 100 families. But the real impact wasn’t just in the supplies—it was in the connections we formed.

I’ll never forget when another neighbour, Denise, who’d come to pick up some meals to drop off, paused and said, “I didn’t know we had this kind of community.” Her words stuck with me. We weren’t just sharing resources—we were rebuilding trust and hope in each other.

Even after the storm passed, these bonds remained. Neighbours who barely knew each other started offering help with projects, sharing tools, and building friendships. Hockey and basketball were played in the street more often, and there was more sidewalk chalk on the street than you’d ever seen! The crisis had created a stronger, more connected community.

Community is important to me because it’s about more than living near one another—it’s about showing up. The storm taught me that even small gestures, like a tray of cinnamon rolls, can inspire collective action and change.

I now see every community as full of potential. When people come together, even the toughest challenges can be overcome. As a student at UBC, I hope to carry this lesson with me—whether it’s volunteering, leading initiatives, or building a community with peers in specific classes.

For me, community doesn’t just smell like cinnamon rolls—it smells like hope, resilience, and potential.

Need some help choosing what to focus on for this essay? Connect with a coach for support.

UBC Personal Profile Answer Examples – Question 3

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:

• Creative or performing arts
• Family/community responsibilities
• Work/employment
• Service to others

UBC Personal Profile Question 3 – Breakdown

UBC 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 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 Personal Profile Question 3 – Template

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 Personal Profile Question 3 – Example 

Here’s an example of a list of activities for this question : 

UBC Personal Profile Answer Examples – Question 4

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 Personal Profile Question 4 – 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 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.

We suggest following our Narrative Communication Approach .

UBC Personal Profile Question 4 – Example

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

For me, the whiteboard marker wasn’t just a tool and math tutoring wasn’t just a task that day—they symbolized a choice, and I’m proud of the decision I made. It reminded me that leadership doesn’t come with instructions. Sometimes, it’s about simply stepping up when the moment feels right.

UBC Personal Profile Answer Examples – Question 5  

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 Personal Profile Question 5 – 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 7, 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 Personal Profile Question 5 – Template

Ubc personal profile question 5 – example.

The best deal I ever made started with a single question: “What’s it worth to you?” I was 12, sitting across from my parents at the dinner table, pitching my case for a weekly allowance in exchange for chores. The outcome wasn’t just money—it was my first taste of the power of negotiation, and I’ve been hooked ever since.

When I entered secondary school, my curiosity about negotiation and business only grew. I wanted to understand not just how to make deals, but how businesses create value, solve problems, and adapt to challenges. This curiosity guided my course selections, like economics, accounting, and marketing, and encouraged me to seek opportunities to apply my learning in real-world settings.

One of my earliest ventures was with my school’s entrepreneurship club, where we launched a business selling eco-friendly water bottles. As the team’s marketing lead, I focused on crafting campaigns that emphasized our mission to reduce single-use plastics. Beyond just selling a product, I learned how to connect with an audience and balance financial goals with a commitment to making a positive impact.

In grade 11, I decided to push myself further by participating in a regional business pitch competition. My team was assigned a struggling small business—a family-owned bakery—and tasked with developing a plan to increase their revenue. We spent weeks interviewing the owners, analyzing their financials, and researching market trends.

The experience was intense. My role focused on customer retention strategies, and I proposed loyalty programs and themed events that would attract regular customers. On pitch day, I had to present our ideas to a panel of judges, answering tough questions about scalability and budget constraints. It wasn’t just a test of our strategy—it was a test of my ability to think on my feet under pressure.

Although we didn’t win the competition, the feedback we received was invaluable. The judges praised our creativity and thorough research, and the bakery owners even implemented some of our suggestions, like hosting seasonal pop-up events. Seeing our ideas make a real-world impact was incredibly rewarding and reaffirmed my passion for business.

The experience also inspired me to deepen my skills. Over the summer, I completed an online course in business analytics and took on an internship with a local start-up, where I helped design customer acquisition strategies. These opportunities taught me to look at business from multiple perspectives—strategic, financial, and human—and solidified my commitment to pursuing a business degree.

What started as a childhood fascination with negotiation has grown into a passion for problem-solving and creating value. Through my experiences, I’ve learned that business isn’t just about profit margins—it’s about collaboration, creativity, and driving positive change.

At UBC, I’m excited to dive deeper into these principles through the Sauder School of Business, exploring areas like entrepreneurship, marketing, and sustainability. My journey so far has taught me that every challenge is an opportunity to learn, grow, and create impact—and I can’t wait to see where this passion takes me next.

Need some help tackling tough UBC Personal Profile questions like this one? Remember — you aren’t alone!  Connect with a coach to figure out what to share in this section.

UBC Personal Profile Answer Examples – Question 6

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 Personal Profile Question 6 – Breakdown

The purpose of this question is so that UBC 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 your references for permission first , so that if they get a call or email from UBC then they’re not surprised. 

UBC Personal Profile Question 8 – Template

You will need the following information:

• Relationship
• Email Address
• Phone Number

UBC Personal Profile Question 8 – Example

Here an example of the information for this section:

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Personal Profile Overview

• What is the Profile?
• Why submit the Profile?
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Personal Profile Q1 & Q2

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Personal Profile Q5 & Q6

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Preparing for your personal profile

By Crissy Campbell on November 1, 2024

It’s fantastic that so many of you are currently working on your  online application to UBC. Starting early means you’ll have time to reflect on your answers to the  personal profile section : an important part of UBC’s admissions decision.

The personal profile asks you six or seven questions about challenges you have overcome, significant achievements in your life, your academic pursuits, and what you have learned from these experiences. The questions differ depending on the degree program you are applying for, and you’ll find out what you’ll be asked when you begin your application.

Does everyone have to submit a personal profile?

Not all applicants are required to submit a personal profile, and others will have additional requirements, such as portfolios or auditions. To find out if your degree requires a personal profile, start the online application process and follow the instructions.

How do we assess your profile?

When we evaluate your application, two trained UBC readers will  look for four qualities in your personal profile : engagement and accomplishment, leadership, substance, and voice. This is a chance for us to find out more about you and your experiences beyond academics. We want to hear about your life and achievements – what have you learned, and how have these moments allowed you to grow?

We are not looking for a particular experience, and there are no right or wrong answers. Be authentic, and focus on what you want to say about yourself and how you want to say it, rather than writing what you think we want to hear.

Do you need to record a video interview?

If you are applying to the UBC Sauder School of Business’s Bachelor of Commerce degree, you will be asked to provide  video responses to interview questions in addition to your personal profile. You will be prompted to create your video responses within your application, including detailed instructions on how to include the video interview in the personal profile section of your application. Read our tips and watch a video  about creating your video interview.

If you have not started working on your application yet, we encourage you to begin as soon as possible to make sure you have everything you need to submit your application on time.

Your personal profile and disruptions outside of your control

We know that disruptions can arise that may affect your access to extracurricular activities at school or in your community. We will be as flexible as possible to ensure that your personal profile is not disadvantaged by disruptions caused by things outside of your control.

Remember that when we assess your personal profile, we take into account all of the activities you’ve done across multiple years, not just the ones you hoped to complete in Grade 11 or 12. Your examples can come from any aspect of your life, including within your family or smaller community. There are no right or wrong answers – we’re not looking for certain activities or a long list of achievements, but rather your reflections on what you’ve experienced.

Good luck! We’re looking forward to learning more about you.

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UBC Supplemental Essays | Essay Examples & Samples

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Ultimate Guide To Writing UBC Supplemental Essays | Essay Samples _ It’s cool that so many students are currently working on their online application process to applying into UBC . Beginning an early application implies that you’ll have enough time to reflect on your UBC application requirements starting from the personal profile section down to the UBC supplemental essays which is a crucial part of UBC’s admissions decision.

With the right information and guide on how to go about the UBC essays , you have no cause to worry as you automatically gets an upper Chance of getting into UBC.

So Welcome Abroad! (In Addy)

The UBC’s supplemental essays gives you the avenue to share your story and the opportunity to tell the admission committee what your passion is. They will use your supplemental essays to get more details and a full insight about your capabilities and to know how you would be of benefit to complement the UBC community.

Does UBC have supplemental application?

Yes! All high school candidates and some transfer applicants are expected to submit a personal profile while submitting their application to UBC. Depending on the degree you are going for, a supplemental essay application, student portfolio, or audition may be also be required.

Do I need to write an essay to apply to UBC?

Absolutely!

Each of these essays and personal profile questions Needs you to submit short essay responses (which ranges from 50 to 200 words) , so you’ll have to think about your answers before you begin your online application, this article will also provide an ultimate guide to your UBC supplemental essay writing.

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How many essays do I need to write for UBC? university of british columbia supplemental essays?

The UBC personal profile essays are some kind of unique essays that are written by Candidates who are applying to the University of British Columbia. The essay kinds will depend on the faculty you apply to, you will be asked to write up to SIX to EIGHT short essays in your personal profile.

UBC Supplemental Essay Examples By Categories and How to Answer Them [PART 1]- UBC application example

Ubc supplemental essays for the bachelor of education personal profile only:.

• Why do you want to become a teacher?

They expect you to Describe the kind of teacher you dream to become. Give instances. Give an example from the experiences you have gained which illustrates your eligibility for the teaching profession. For example, you could tell them a story of how you were able to solve a challenging situation, or how you overcame a problem in a professional related manner, or stories on how you learned from your past mistakes etc. Make sure to use simple English and try to be straight to point, no long stories please!

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UBC Supplemental Essays For the Bachelor of Commerce personal profile only:

• Explain how you reacted to a challenge and/or how you have reacted to an unfamiliar situation. You have to tell them What you did, what the outcome was, and what you learned from the experience? This is a global and wide society. So it will have to explain how your community involvement gets you ready for the future in this multiplex world.

How Does UBC Assess your Profile and Essays?

When your applications are evaluated, two trained UBC readers will search out for the four core qualities in your personal profile which are your #engagement and accomplishment, #leadership, # substance, as well as your voice. This is an opportunity for UBC to find out more details about you and your experiences outside of the academic world. They want to get more details about your life and achievements. All have you learned, and how your moments have allowed you to grow? Please Be authentic enough, and focus on what you wish to say about yourself and how you wish to say it, rather than to pen down what you think UBC want to hear.

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UBC Supplemental Essay Guide | Ultimate Guide to UBC Short Essays [ PART TWO]

Ubc essay prompts with ubc application example.

The first part of your application or Personal Profile is writing a few short essays! Which depends on which program(s) you are applying into, you are expected to answer two to four of the application prompts. Once you kick off the application process you’ll find more details;

Here are the 4 UBC essay question examples and their guide (including tell us who you are UBC)

• Explain how you responded to a challenge/problem and/or a how you have responded to unfamiliar situation. What did you do about them, what outcome , and tell them what you learned from the experience? ( It should be 200 words maximum)
• Explain Briefly the culture of your school community and your individual involvement within it. What positive/negative impacts has the school culture had on you? And How would you enhance it or possibly change it? (It should be 200 words maximum)
• Tell UBC about who you are. How would your family, your friends, and/or the members of your community describe your personality? If possible, please make sure to tell them something about yourself that you are so much proud and give them your reasons. (It should be 250 words maximum)
• What is important to you? And tell us why? ( It should be 250 words maximum.) To let them know how you can approach these UBC supplemental essays, we’ll have to go into depth on these difficult questions:

Steps to Answering “tell us about who you are” Supplemental Essay Prompt

Step one: hook.

You have to make sure you stand out the right away with a hook. What is A hook? It is one to two sentences at the beginning of your essay that gets the reader’s attention and tells him or her to keep reading. This could be your personal story or any kind of powerful statement. Give the UBC team a snapshot of your character and tell them that specific event, person or experience that has kept you motivated to be who you are presently.

STEP TWO: Give examples

Try not to answer these questions directly from the directive with your hook. Instead, you are to Give the answer with a very tangible example while writing your essay. Don’t just tell the UBC evaluation committee about your qualities, go a long way to demonstrate and embody how you acquired the traits. You have to check for a volunteer or leadership example of yours that shows key elements of your character.

STEP Three: Conclusion

As you recount the experiences of yours, be sure to recall and connect back to the best qualities that well describes you to round-up your response. This strategy can be used to answer all of these short essay questions in your UBC supplemental essay Personal Profile ; A powerful one to two sentence hook, A leadership/volunteer example described , one to two sentences clearly connecting back to the prompt

Does UBC require letters of recommendation?

A minimum of 3 references are needed for application into the graduate programs at the UBC admission . References are to be requested from the academics who are prepared to write a report on your academic ability and qualifications.

Frequently Asked Question

The essay kinds will depend on the faculty you apply to, you will be asked to write up to SIX to EIGHT short essays in your personal profile.

How would your family, your friends, and/or the members of your community describe your personality? If possible, please make sure to tell them something about yourself that you are so much proud and give them your reasons. (It should be 250 words maximum)

Essay Prompts are opportunities for UBC to find out more details about you and your experiences outside of the academic world. They want to get more details about your life and achievements. All have you learned, and how your moments have allowed you to grow? Beginning an early application means that you’ll have enough time to reflect on your UBC application requirements starting from the personal profile section down to the UBC supplemental essays which is a crucial part of UBC’s admissions decision.

The UBC’s supplemental essays also gives you the avenue to share your story and the opportunity to tell the admission committee what your passion is. They will use your submitted supplemental essays to get full insight about your capabilities and to know how you would be of benefit to complement the UBC community.

• Online application process : https://ssc.adm.ubc.ca/sscportal/apply.xhtml
• UBC Admission : you.ubc.ca/admissions/how-to-apply/how-to-submit-documents/
• Personal Profile: https://you.ubc.ca/applying-ubc/how-to-apply/personal-profile/
• https://grantme.ca/how-to-get-admitted-to-ubc/

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