Not enough leadership?

Applying to College
1

<p>Hi, I will be a senior next year and I was wondering if I'm on track to go to top level schools. Originally I thought I was fine, but after seeing some excellent posts, I was wondering if there is anything else I can do? I don't think I have enough leadership for the Ivy league and other top schools. Please chance back!</p>

<p>School: Small Private, highly competitive
Income: 120,000
Ethnicity: white, male</p>

<p>Stats:</p>

<p>SATI: 730, 800, 780
SATII:
US History: 780
World History: 760
MathII: 730
Chinese: 690
Chemistry: 710
Physics: 800</p>

<p>9th Grade:
My school doesn't do honors or regents, just AP's when you get to the level.</p>

<p>Bio: A+
Geometry: A
Algebra II/ Trig: A- (Two math classes in the same year, no social life)
Orchestra: A+
Ancient History: A
English 9: A-
Chinese 2: A-
MUN: A+ (This is a class at my school, highly competitive. We are one of the best teams in the nation.)
Programming I: A+</p>

<p>Summer before 10th grade Pre-Calc and Chem. Both A-</p>

<p>10th Grade:</p>

<p>AP Calculus AB (4)
AP Bio (5)
AP Chem (4)
MUN: A+
Programming 2: A
AP World History (3)
English 10 Composition: A-
Chinese 3: A-
Orchestra: A+</p>

<p>11th Grade:</p>

<p>AP Calculus BC (4)
AP Physics E & M (4)
AP Physics M (4)
MUN: A+
AP Computer Science (3)
AP European History (5)
AP English Lang (4)
AP Chinese (Mandarin) (4)
Orchestra: A+</p>

<p>12th Grade (Some stuff still unsure)</p>

<p>Certain:
*Calculus III/ Differential Equations
*Chem III/ Physics III
MUN
Orchestra
*Chinese 5/ Chinese 6
AP USH
AP Lit
Second Semester Study Hall</p>

<ul>
<li>When students take classes that are more advanced than the school can teach they are sent to local university to take more challenging classes. These classes are on semester schedule.</li>
</ul>

<p>Uncertain (One available block)
Options:
Study Hall
Forensic Science
Geology
CAD</p>

<p>Self Studies APs 9th/ 10th Grades
Micro/ Macro (5) (4)
Environmental Science (5)
Psychology (5)
Human Geography (5)</p>

<p>EC's
Intel ISEF finalist 1 years
Siemens Competition Finalist (With partner) 2 years
Everything else is ordinary:
Varsity XCountry all-state
Varsity Ski Race
Varsity Golf all-state
Volunteer hours ~1200
Started small business profit $5,000
Area all-state Cello 3 years
Playing Cello for 7 years, Piano for 6 years, Bass for 6 years
Science Olympiad</p>

<p>That's about it, I really don't see any real leadership. Could anyone give me some advice on what to do for leadership now almost in senior year?</p>

2

<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. It’s not about leadership in EC’s, it’s leadership in the classroom!</p>

3

<p>If I can add to Gibby’s excellent post: Leadership is MUCH more than titles. Are you a person of influence (much as Gibby has stated)? Who sets the tone in your school or classes or organizations? Hopefully you. It’s not something you can put on like a jacket either. Either you’ve already been exhibiting this or little of your efforts in the last semester before college apps are due will matter much in you app evaluations.</p>

4

<p>You certainly have the academic chops to get in anywhere. An elite handful of colleges can pick and choose among highly-qualified applicants, and they are all looking for students who stand out in one way or another. Since you are entering your senior year, there is not much you can do to alter your resume significantly. You have some solid ECs; they will not make or break you when it comes to admissions decisions. You are competing against the most talented and accomplished students in the world if you are applying to Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and CalTech. I would be concerned if you had nothing to list on your application: ECs are conspicuous in their absence, unless you have compelling reasons for not participating (usually family obligations, like caring for younger siblings or disabled household member). I think that admissions counselors will see a very strong, well-rounded candidate on your application. Being Captain of your golf or cross-country team would not make much difference in the big picture, I’d wager, and - if you are disappointed by your results - do not presume that being elected Class Secretary would have changed them. </p>