<p>Hi, So I was reading a lot of resumes from a lot of deferred, rejected, and accepted kids into harvard university. I noticed that they all have leadership positions in multiple clubs (ex: president of debate team). My question is: How many clubs approximately should I strive to be president or captain of to get into harvard university? I know the whole run down of just join what you like but within what you like, how many club should i strive to be president of? Thanks so much!</p>
<p>Hey! Current Harvard acceptee here.</p>
<p>Don’t think of it in terms of quantity, but QUALITY. Don’t try to become a perfunctory leader in 10 different activities; title without substance won’t set you apart in the admissions race.</p>
<p>While I have taken on multiple leadership roles in my school and community, I only took on roles in clubs and activities I was dedicated to, and then I did something in those positions. Student Body President to me became more than a title, but an opportunity–an opportunity for me to reach out to other schools in my city; I teamed up with other presidents from my schools in my area and together we did a fundraiser for a forest fire that affected my city last summer.</p>
<p>It’s that element of leadership that you want to strive for–that notion that you should use the position you attain to produce real impact in your community.</p>
<p>On the whole, I would say limit yourself to leading a few activities, but then put A LOT of effort into doing the best job you can leading in those activities. Quality–not quantity. Repeat that mantra to yourself over the next few years.</p>
<p>Hope this helps!</p>
<p>Acceptee here as well, and I couldn’t agree more with Seriwe! </p>
<p>However, I do caution- even dedication to clubs and activities you truly enjoy and are passionate about is not a surefire way of getting into Harvard, at all. No one club will gain you admission, it will be so many factors that will (or won’t) and you most definitely will be in the dark as to what exactly some of those factors are. </p>
<p>Where did you get to read all these resumes of Harvard applicants though?</p>
<p>Best of luck.</p>
<p>Perhaps by resumes he meant the information in the SCEA and RD decision threads?</p>
<p>Become a leader in organizations that you truly care about, because then you will be motivated to pursue these activities to the fullest extent :)</p>
<p>Depth over breadth.</p>
<p>@Seriwe I was guessing that might be what he meant. However, there is actually a book out there with 50 essays from accepted H students. Who knows, there could be one with a variety of resumes! Haha</p>