<p>I am currently a junior in high school, and I have decent grades and I participate in several sports and clubs. I hope to attend either Notre Dame, Duke, UVA, William and Mary, or the University of Dallas. I have heard that holding a leadership position in a club or in student government is very important if one wants to attend selective schools like those that I mentioned above. However, I have been aggravated because most of the student elections at my school are total popularity contests. Consequently, many people who are less than qualified end up winning. For example, one of the officers of NHS is a known drinker and weed smoker. Has anyone else noticed the same thing? Do colleges know this?</p>
<p>I found one poster that did not have any leadership position and was accepted to Princeton. I noticed this person because D2 likes rock climbing. My daughter is in the same boat as you. So my advice is to do something that stands out and stay positive.</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/12304503-post35.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/12304503-post35.html</a></p>
<p>No, you don’t have to president of a school club. Admin officers see hundreds of editors, club presidents, and team captains, which creates the impression that you need to be one too. Don’t bother: Find something you care about and do it with creativity and intelligence. It’s more interesting, you will learn more, have more fun, and as a bonus, it will make you stand out from the crowd. </p>
<p>I interview for an HYPMS, and I find the kids who have chosen to do something ‘off the beaten path’ a lot more interesting than those who do what everyone else has done before them. I suspect the admin folks feel the same way.</p>
<p>It depends on the particular college, what they are looking for in applicants and how selective they are. Some colleges greatly value ‘leadership’ positions in h.s. as a way to show how your were successful in an activity and reached a selective position that few others have done. It is a way of sorting out from the hundreds/thousands who apply so to say it doesn’t matter is incorrect. </p>
<p>To some schools it matters a LOT. However, you should strive for leadership positions in sports/ECA’s, etc. since it is something you think you can contribute to your h.s., can learn something about what being a leader is all about and it can help you grow as a person. Don’t strive for these things just to make your college resume look better.</p>
<p>It also matters to colleges what exactly you did while holding that leadership position. If you get voted in as president of some club and do nothing but hold a title that won’t really add anything to your college application. Some h.s. involve their students in actually organizing/running/leading various clubs…others do not and as you mentioned, some can be nothing more than a popularity contest.</p>
<p>My D is a sophomore at Harvard , and has never done the usual stuff . I would focus on being a unique applicant . My D babysat in Spain for a month to improve her Spanish at 15 . At 16 and 17 she volunteered on an organic farm in Sweden to learn about sustainable agriculture . Her roommate had been scuba diving since getting her certification and has had dives in many inter. locations . She is interested in Marine Biology . Another roommate is ranked nationally on the Junior Pro Golf Circuit . There’s your answer ! NO !</p>
<p>Colleges do know that a lot of leadership positions are a popularity contest.
Look at it from their perspective; if you hold very many positions within extracurricular activities, colleges may think that you are a popular/influential student. Thus, you most likely have well-mannered social skills. Colleges want people who can become world leaders, not socially awkward kids locking themselves inside their dorms.</p>
<p>Yes it really does make a difference, but yeah most teachers pick up on that stuff. So their recs SUCK. But yeah I feel for you.</p>
<p>[noparse]I AM KNOW A SENIOR MEMBER!! YES! :D[/noparse]</p>
<p>That’s exactly what my high school was like when I was applying, popularity contest for people to get those positions, but don’t let it bother you/stop you from reaching your goals - Schools would (in my opinion) much rather see great community involvement than just a leadership position you can slap on, so I would get involved in something service related that goes along with what you like… I love kids, and I volunteered doing simple office stuff at a local Children’s Home and got to learn about the adoption system, my ultimate goal was to work in the Music Industry where I was applying though so I helped put on fundraisers with them that involved music - see what I mean? Take the time to come up with interesting opportunities that combine things you like and that will stand out much more!</p>
<p>I completely agree that many student elections are popularity contests, and I agree completely with M’s Mom. My kids did comparatively little in school (outside of grades) – their major EC’s were in the community / our city and were off the beaten path. Both got into top 20 schools. Leadership can manifest itself different ways - it doesn’t have to be being president of a club.</p>
<p>Zombie Dante - you are going to want to correct your phrasing to “I am now a senior member” rather than “know.”</p>