<p>I have a question that I have not found an answer for. Why do colleges care so much about leadership positions? I mean, has anyone thought that if everyone was a leader, there would be no one to follow them. Not everyone is a born leader. It takes some time to develop these skills and in the end you just may never get them. So why do colleges look for this so much?</p>
<p>Those with leadership qualities are more likely to succeed in college and the workplace. College is a more open environment, and it is up to each student to initiate their own experiences. At some point, it is up to you to solve a problem. Also, colleges are looking for those who will make alumni that the university can be proud of. And when have you ever truly heard of a business mogul just hanging onto the coattails of someone else?</p>
<p>In short, leadership positions aren’t everything, but they can be a good indicator of present and future success.</p>
<p>Top colleges don’t want title holders or resume stuffers. They want people who influence others. Who are the opinion leaders in your school? They are the leaders regardless if they carry any titles. </p>
<p>But you’re right. Not everyone is this.</p>
<p>I’m still skeptical because how can everyone who attends a top 200 (just a random number) college be a leader. There are thousands and thousands of kids going to colleges and they can’t all be leaders. I mean i do get the academic leaders. Sometimes you do have to figure out something for yourself and help your classmates around you. But how can a college judge you on something that thousands of kids around internationally and in the US just don’t have the characteristics for.</p>
<p>There’s the rub though, foody. At the most selective colleges, they get reams and reams of applications just from these types of kids. Then what do you do? Purposefully ignore them and go deeper in the pile?</p>
<p>Take for instance USMA (West Point). Do you think all are leaders coming in as Freshmen? They better darn well be. An extreme example but unless you’ve been in that environment, it does happen.</p>
<p>I guess you’re right. Top colleges will always look for leaders and if you aren’t one that’s probably okay because they think you can be one in the world once you graduate or turn into one during your time at that college. I mean why worry about it when you should just lead by example anyway, not necessarily through clubs or stuff, but by doing a problem right and helping someone else out.</p>
<p>Also broaden your def’n of “leadership”. Top schools want excellence – not just the person comfortable behind a bullhorn or on a stage or heading a meeting. Perhaps you’ve been part of orgs where despite the figurehead, everyone knew that the real heart & soul of the group was the 2nd VP of something or other – that person really was the “go to” person and not the talking head. I recall meeting a young woman who was deciding between HY and P! She had studied African masks and even travelled to various countries to examine them and their manufacture first hand. Was she directing others or writing text for some fundraiser? Nope. But she was outstanding and would remain so in her field.</p>
<p>Hope these examples help</p>
<p>Thanks a lot. I think ill keep your philosophy at heart. The CC chance me threads have unfortunately poisoned me a little. I see lots of people just trying to become the captain of lax or the editor of the newspaper which has in turn, clouded my view of what being a leader really is. Thanks for the anecdote and ill be sure to be a leader in my own way</p>
<p>I definitely agree with broadening your definition of leadership, but I personally lean towards the idea that leadership isn’t a definitive quality colleges should be actively looking for. Because I believe that being a leader implies that you require validation from those you consider to be your inferiors. And just because you aren’t a leader doesn’t mean that you can’t think and act for yourself. I believe the two qualities are completely uncorrelated whatsoever.</p>
<p>But that’s just me. And I also hold a couple of leadership titles in my school because I’m a moral hypocrite and I want to get into college lol.</p>
<p>I guess the ends justify the means. :P</p>