<p>Hi, I'm planning on applying to top colleges like Cornell, UVA, Notre Dame, Dartmouth next year, and today, my hopes for the only two leadership positions I could get next year were shot down... I have decent stats (2220 Sat, 32 ACT, National Merit Semifinalist, 3.7/3.8 GPA at a competitive private school)....I just want to know: how badly does the fact that I will have no leadership positions on my college application hurt my chances at top schools (I am quite involved: two varsity sports, school paper writer, community service)....is the lack of leadership in my areas of interest a big issue?</p>
<p>bump</p>
<p>I just had one relatively small leadership position and I got into a few top schools. Don’t worry about it!</p>
<p>My daughter applied last year (HS class of '13) to three of those schools, so I will do my best to give you advice on those. (Her stats - 4.0 UW, 720 M, 740 CR, 790 W, tons of leadership, three sport athlete, service, very small private school, no hooks at any of the three). Applied EA to ND and was deferred, accepted RD and is attending. Applied RD to UVA (Her SAT II’s were not terribly good) and was accepted OOS. Denied at Dartmouth, but didn’t care, had shown no interest. Also accepted to Wellesley, William & Mary, Fordham, Villanova, and IU. Your SAT appears higher relative to your ACT, so I would submit that. GPA a tad on the low side, but if there is serious rigor that would be somewhat offset. Leadership is important, but if you have depth in and passion for your EC’s, that will help. Two questions, though. Have you taken SAT II’s (UVA recommends them) and what is your CR?M breakdown on your SAT? (ND does not consider the writing portion.</p>
<p>I have taken SAT IIs, I get those scores back on Thursday though. My 2 SAT scores have been: 790/690/710 and 760/710/730 …so a superscored CR/M would be 1500</p>
<p>Schools want leaders, not leadership. You don’t have to have a title to demonstrate that. All you need to do is accomplish something you are proud of.</p>
<p>Those scores are quite good, but your GPA might still present a problem. And I agree with ^ that schools want leaders, not kids who are president of a ton of clubs. Are you OOS for Virginia? That will make a difference. As far as ND goes, pay attention to your supplemental essays. ND is a somewhat unique place, and you have to convince them that you are a good fit.</p>
<p>When colleges say they are interested in leaders, many students assume they are looking for captains of athletic teams, or presidents of student councils, or editors of newspapers. And sometimes they are. But more often than not, as colleges are academic institutions, they are looking for leaders in the classroom. They are looking for students who not only contribute to the classroom conversation, but dynamically lead the discussion. They are looking for students who constantly raise their hands and have thoughtful opinions. Colleges are looking for your teachers to confirm your leadership qualities in their recommendation letters, with concrete examples such as those that are on MIT’s website: <a href=“How to write good letters of recommendation | MIT Admissions”>http://mitadmissions.org/apply/prepare/writingrecs</a>. It’s not enough just to have great essays, EC’s and awards. Selective colleges are looking for students who will make a difference, those who will be remembered for years to come.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the encouragement! @ejcclc I am OOS for Virginia, but both my parents got their PHDs there, if that counts for anything. @gibby that makes me feel better… I have one teacher who I know for sure will write a fantastic rec letter…his class is regarded as the hardest at my school, and I was one of only two of his students to write an optional research paper, which just won second in the school wide contest</p>