<p>Will UPenn be lenient if I don't have leadership in my extracurricular activities? Also, what type of EC's do deans of admissions typical want to see in a UPenn applicant? I'm a sophomore in high school and I'm currently part of the Table Tennis club, Finance Club, and the European handball club. Although these are EC's I enjoy, I'm afraid that they won't view them as "Ivy worthy" activities. Does anyone have any recommendations for what I could join in order to boost my chances of getting in. </p>
<p>bump</p>
<p>It’s not clubs you join or if you become a titular officer. Real leadership is the ability to influence others and be an opinion leader. By the questions you’re asking, you may not know what this is. It’s not what you do but who you are.</p>
<p>Some people influence others by rallying them to a common cause (the club president). Others by sheer excellence (top runner of the XC team). If you think meaningful leadership is some club, then you’re understanding is very far off as far as very competitive college admissions goes.</p>
<p>Will a school like Penn be lenient? If you understand their applicant pool, then you’ll know one really needs to be a standout. In that case, you should cast a wide net of target colleges – ones that match you based on your academic performance 1st and foremost.</p>
<p>So do you have any ideas for how I can display leadership other than rising to power in clubs? I understand what you’re saying, but I really want to attend Penn, and I’m afraid that learning about my desire to attend UPenn as a sophomore presented me with the challenge of squandering freshmen year. I’m just really trying to pull everything together so that I might have a shot.</p>
<p>Do you feel you are a leader? </p>
<p>Stick with clubs + activities that you enjoy. If you just select them because they’re “Penn worthy” then that will likely show through in your essays in a negative way, etc. You’re only a sophomore in HS so you’re not really at a point where colleges will stand up and take notice of what you’re doing activity-wise yet anyway.</p>
<p>I’d suggest (1) picking clubs/activities that you love, (2) sticking with them consistently (most colleges would rather see you be involved for 4-years in 3-4 clubs instead of 1-2 years each in 12 different clubs), (3) becoming involved to the extent that you gain leadership positions in your junior or senior year.</p>
<p>Ivyparent 43 just gave you the best advice that you are going to get. It is good that you are beginning to think about your future but don’t forget to enjoy high school. If you live in the moment and make the most of it that is how you will impress PENN or any other top school. </p>