We recently had an election for NHS Officers and I lost the presidency election. We had a committee that voted for the officers. I have no idea who was on that committee but I suspect admins/teachers. Even though I ran for president and lost (I was bested by a more qualified person I’ll admit), I still got a position as “Team Leader.” Basically I am the leader, for a subset of kids in NHS. However, I am a very active person when it comes to volunteering organizations and believe I will still play an important and large role relative to the other officers. Because I didn’t get the “president” title, do you think that affects my chances for college admissions and power in NHS? I am afraid that I won’t be able to invest and develop NHS as much as I want to because I am only a Team Leader. And also that colleges will think badly because I was only a Team Leader and not president.
Another problem is that I am a tiny bit salty that I lost. I have to admit that the person who got president was definitely the more influential/liked person by teachers. However, I am still a bit taken back by the fact I was defeated.
you cant be salty if you were expecting it right? You definitely cant be salty if he/she was more qualified than you.
And no, it will not make a difference.
IMO, What matters more than the position is what you actually do with it. A list of ECs and positions on the Common App is nothing until you add the description part. A team leader who organizes projects and motivates everyone on their team to contribute is better than a president who fails to even attend meetings.
I’m just afraid that colleges will look my application and go “he’s not the president, throw his app into that pile”
If you’re obsssing over officer positions, you’re doing it wrong.
It’s not really that I didn’t get become a president, I’m actually quiet happy for and proud of the person who won, but I’m afraid I won’t be able to contribute as effectively because I’m not the president.
It is time to get over that you didn’t get to be president, especially since you think a very well qualified individual got the position. I can’t think of one college admission official that would make a decision to only accept presidents of NHS. So at this point, it is what you do with your position that will matter. Maybe talk to the president, express your willingness to help him/her. and try to carve out a defined role for yourself that you can run with.
FWIW my S’s biggest EC had no title attached to it (as he was a volunteer for an organization outside of the school), but he was able to convey/highlight his dedication, time spent, and individual contribution both on the activities list on the application and using a brief reference in his essay and it worked out just fine.
Thanks for all the advice guys! But for real, I am really over the whole president thing, i feel really good for the person who got it and hope they can really improve NHS. The only thing I was worried about was that I wouldn’t be able to contribute as much because of my position. But you guys have made it clear that you don’t need a title to help out! Thanks XOXO