<p>Hi, I'm new to the forum so I may make a few mistakes (sorry!) I was just wondering what ec's/organizations Harvard leans towards. I really want to get involved, but I'm not sure where to start. So far, I'm thinking of joining FBLA, National Honor Society, student council, and math club. I know this is no where near enough, but I'm an oncoming freshmen, so I really have no idea what I'm doing. My passion lies in business and aerospace engineering/astronomy. What organizations can I join to really make myself standout? Also, what can I do to make colleges realize my leadership potential? Thank you in advance. </p>
<p>Harvard’s favorite leadership position is the one in which you will excel. Through success and innovation, you will show whatever leadership skills you do (or don’t) have.</p>
<p>If you join too many organizations, Harvard and other schools will think you are shallow and not seriously committed to any of them. It’s good to be an officer if doing so really means something, but everyone knows that some organizations elect officers based on popularity. So whatever you’re involved in, get your hands dirty and take initiative. The most important thing within your control is commitment. Choose organizations so that you’ll be able to last the full four years. Try to be in a leadership position by junior or senior year, but just one or two at a time. And don’t panic if no one wants you to be an official leader. You can lead by example.</p>
<p>
Many students look the same on paper and end up being deferred, waitlisted or rejected because they looked too similar to other applicants. Even with leadership positions, what’s going to make you different than thousands of other students who will also be applying with those exact same EC’s? </p>
<p>May I suggest a different approach? </p>
<p>What do you like to do when you’re not in school? What makes you smile? What brings you joy? If you let your heart lead you (rather than your head), you will have a better chance of being happy AND standing out from the crowd. And keep in mind, that having a job afterschool and demonstrating responsibility and leadership as an adult goes a long way in the college applications process too. </p>
<p>^^ Good point. One of the things my daughter’s interviewer singled out was her 10-year commitment to the Girl Scouts. It’s pretty unusual to find girls still in the program during high school, so it really set her apart.</p>
<p>it actually is enough activities. admissions officers like to see a dedication to 1-3 activities that are really important to you. they also like to see leadership positions. if you just choose these just to have extracurriculars, it will show in your essays. if you choose things you really love to do, then your essays will be easier to write and can be more genuine. plus its easier to be a standout in an activity you truly enjoy, than in one that you are just doing for college apps. the important thing is to become very, very good at whatever activity or activities you do end up doing. </p>