Too many leadership roles in ECs?

Applying to College
1

Class of 2016 applicant here. I’m thinking about applying to a few Ivy League schools, so I really want to make sure that my extracurricular activities show that I have commitment/direction, but I’m worried that if I have too many leadership roles it might not seem plausible to adcoms.

In addition to doing a bunch of outside-the-classroom political volunteering & other community service I do:
French Honor Society (prospective VP)
National English Honor Society (prospective president)
Young Democrats (prospective president)
National Honor Society
Model United Nations
my own English-related club (founder & prez)

Only 3 of these meet for 1 hr/week, the rest only have like one meeting a month. Does this seem like too much for adcoms, and should I not run for office in some of my clubs?

Thanks! :slight_smile:

2

That’s a bit ridiculous of a question.

3

@BrownParent I don’t see how it is…I watched a YouTube video with a former Stanford admissions officer reviewing a “case study” and she poked holes in his application by saying his leadership roles weren’t believable.

4

^^ exactly. I was going to post a link to that video.

5

@mikemac Could you still post it?

6

None of these are huge time commitments so it is fine.

7

At this point, unless there is too much extra work, I suggest you run for office. You can choose later whether to put the positions on the app or not.

8

@Woandering thanks for your input! I found the link to the video ^
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96XL8vBBB7o

9

How can it not be believable if you actually perform these positions? As you say most of the clubs meet once a week. I have noticed that at our high school EC’s are listed on Blackboard. I suppose this is so the guidance counselor can refer to them on her recommendation. So anyone who says they are president of a club that the counselor never mentions is going to raise suspicion. I think your EC’s are doable for a highly motivated person, which you seem to be. Good luck.

10

There is some point where it gets ridiculous - what you have right now is good. Run only if you really like/enjoy the club you’re running for and not for the sake of leadership.

11

I think the most important part is your essay where you explain how much impact you had as a leader. Being a president in some cases isn’t too hard and does not require much responsibility. Show the colleges how you impacted the club and the leadership position that you obtained will matter that much more. This way, it shows passion and not resume-stuffing. Not saying you are, but make sure to talk about your leadership positions in your essays.