If I hold a position, but not for the full year, should I put it on my college application?

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

Hey there,

In my school, I am a career politician, one might say. I have been an SGA class president every year from freshmen onto now being the student body president. However while I enjoy the title and people know me as their SGA officer, and it’s been a big part of my identity, it’s becoming increasingly obvious to me that it’s not for me. I’m tired of the meetings and the nonsense. It’s not for me, despite being described as a natural leader by many I don’t do well with the dynamic. There has also been an administration change recently leaving a different faculty in charge of the SGA who I do not get along with very well, I do not think she is a very big fan of me.

So, being that it’s only October and I was elected in May of last year, if I resigned, would I still be able to put that on my college application? Furthermore, would that look bad to colleges reading my application that I stepped down before the year was out? I’ve been considering just pushing through the year for the sake of making my application “complete” but I really don’t think it’d be good for me nor for the SGA. Any additional advice greatly appreciated.

2

It depends on the selectivity of the colleges you are trying to get into and whether those colleges care much about ECs. On the whole, if you want to study political science, it might look better if you stick it out. Otherwise, I would not put it on your application if you don’t finish the year. If you can make it clear you held the position only until October, so it is absolutely crystal clear and you can’t possibly be accused of misleading anyone, then you could consider putting it down through this month. Personally I would end it as of the last school year and not mention this year. If you replace it with something equally challenging or more aligned with your future area of study, the AOs won’t give it much thought.

3

You could put “Elected Student Body President” because that is true.