<p>I know we need quality leadership in the world, but why does everybody have to exhibit leadership tendencies to be considered a good college candidate? Can't you have an exceptional kid that doesn't want to be a leader? It doesn't make them less of a person or a student. If a college campus was filled with students who were all leaders in high school, that would be a pretty monotonous (or cutthroat) place to be. Is there a place in the world for smart people who actually do the work (rather than lead others to do it?)</p>
<p>Most colleges accept the overwhelming majority of their applicants, and don’t care whether or not one was a leader.</p>
<p>However, most people will have to lead in their lives if they are going to have any kind of job with decent pay. While one may not have to lead in entry level jobs, people don’t stay in entry level jobs. With more pay comes more responsibility. Even in entry level jobs, one may have to head a committee or something similar.</p>
<p>Some schools, such as the service academies, are specifically and explicitly training future leaders. So their obsession with demonstrated leadership is understandable. For other schools, leadership is not necessarily required but it is still a valued trait. Much like musical, literary, athletic, or artistic talent, leadership is one more skill that will boost a kid’s chances if s/he can show excellence.</p>
<p>Admissions officers (at top universities) look for signs of leadership in essays, activities, and recommendations because it reflects that particular applicant’s “potential to contribute” to the campus. Of course, the factor for most schools is academic merit, and so hard-working, intelligent applicants will have no problem being admitted to great colleges.</p>
<p>OP,
This was always an issue for me, as well. D1 is a born leader. D2 is an amazing follower. Both will now be at Ivy league schools. </p>
<p>It is impossible to be a great leader if you don’t have any great followers. D2 is loyal, dependable, reliable, hard-working, etc. She “leads” by example.</p>
<p>Me too. Bay, my D1 (HS junior) is like your D2. She enjoys all the clubs activities, has many friends, but refuses to run for any officer positions. She’s been the #1 varsity in her sport since sophomore, but refuses to run for captain.</p>
<p>To be successful in life you need to be a leader, colleges want successful alumni, thus they accept applicants with leadership qualities.</p>
<p>“To be successful in life you need to be a leader”</p>
<p>Do you mean the “career” life or the “whole” life?</p>