<p>Do top universities really want EVERYONE to be leaders in their colleges? Like I hear from everyone "you gotta have leadership positions" for top colleges, but if everyone were leaders, then who will be the followers in the college clubs? (it would just be like the current state of politics...) I think there needs to be a balance</p>
<p>Well, you do not HAVE to be a leader.. it's just that it will help you in admissions..</p>
<p>There are definitely people admitted to college without leadership positions. However, like the person above said, it will help you in admissions. It's like asking do you really HAVE to play a varsity sport? No, you don't have to. Will it help? Yes. There are many different questions like this that you could come up with. You just have to do something. Leadership is more important at some places than others. For example, it's very difficult to get accepted to top business schools without any leadership.</p>
<p>It is very hard being admitted to top colleges without any major leadership positions.</p>
<p>Good leaders, incidentally, also are good followers including being very active members of organizations. That's why top colleges have so many active clubs that really do things.</p>
<p>The kind of leadership top colleges look for isn't just people who head student organizations. It also includes students who organize major community service projects and students who exhibit leadership in a position where normally one wouldn't see that much leadership. For instance, I know someone who got into Stanford and her main leadership had been done as uniform director of her school band. She was the first student who had that important, but typically undervalued position which was responsible for making sure that the 100+ band uniforms were organized, cleaned, etc. each week. In addition to doing that time-consuming work, she started a special program to help the freshmen band members adjust to the band. </p>
<p>What she accomplished was far more than do students who are, for instance, presidents of organizations but don't do anything in those positions. Such students think that top colleges are looking only for titles, when what top colleges are looking for are students who have demonstrated that they can take responsibility, implement ideas, and influence other students.</p>
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It is very hard being admitted to top colleges without any major leadership positions.
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why? Not all people are naturally good leaders... Some people are naturally followers (there needs to be a balance)</p>
<p>lol.. yea i know.. there are many CCers with no leadership experience in HYPSM</p>
<p>Point me to a post by one CCer who got into HYPS without leadership experience.
I'm not asking about MIT because I'm not that knowledgeable about what they look for.</p>
<p>I know of someone, somewhat related to my family, got into HYP without outstanding ECs. No leadership, but joiners of several groups. Perfect SAT scores and excellent GPA. However, her high school is known to send top 5% to Ivies and lots of students to top UCs. I mean the counselor said colleges know the reputation of this high school.</p>