I’m a junior looking to apply to Yale SCEA in the fall. So far my senior year (in-school) ECs consist of school newspaper (Editor-in-chief), Art Honor Society (President), World Affairs Club (President), along with various honor society memberships. I’m considering applying for Editor-in-chief of the school literary magazine and President of the English Honor Society (I have a close relationship with both advisors and would likely be a shoo-in). I’m likely going to talk of my love of literature, art, and politics (and how they intersect) in my essays, so I know these activities will reflect that.
I’m not worried about the extra commitment, but rather that my resume would show “breadth over depth” with these excessive commitments. Does anyone have an opinion on this–will too many leadership positions weaken my chances?
No one is going to be able to give you a definitive answer to your question as every applicant comes to the table with different attributes. What is most important is that you show genuine interest and commitment to whatever you do. You must remember, anyone applying is going to have many of the same types of activities, some more, some less. You have to be a complete package. If all of these things are just something you list on the common app, you are not going to get any real dividend from them. Also, AdComs are really good at looking behind titles to figure out what really is going on. A resume that includes lots of “leadership” positions can be both a positive and negative. It all depends on what you are “leading”. Also, there are other qualities that Yale looks for beyond leadership, so be mindful of making yourself appear too one dimensional.
I’ve got a senior at Yale who didn’t have a single “leadership” position. No editor, no president, no captain. She was clearly a gifted science and math student, as shown by awards and admission to highly selective summer programs. She had excelled both in class and in outside achievement in her field(s) of interest. The idea of a whole campus full of senior class presidents or baseball team captains is frankly, frightening to me.
Do those extra things if you honestly WANT to do them, not because it’s some ticket to Yale. Because it isn’t.