So, I am applying for a position in one my school clubs. On the application, it asked me a leadership role of mine and why I decided to do it. The only problem is that I don’t have one. Would it seem rational to explain playing a sport without a leadership role as leadership? While playing I did demonstrate some leadership actions.
Depends on the exact wording of the question…if you are able to provide that, I think some of us might be able to help more.
It was “Describe a leadership role of yours. Explain why you committed to it”.
If you have enough words, then I think you could explain that although you’ve never been assigned or elected to a formal leadership role before, you’ve been able to exercise leadership attributes through your position on the —- team (and then give the examples and explain the leadership traits demonstrated); finish with a tie-in to commitment. In my opinion it’s unfair for you to be penalized for not holding a “title” before, as long as you are transparent (not making up a fake or exaggerated leadership role).
Alternatively you could say you’ve never held one before and leave it at that.
Good luck!
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My question to you is, “Why do you need to apply for a leadership position in a school club?”
There are lots of ways to be a good leader without having to apply to a school club.
My children were on sports teams, had jobs, babysat, volunteered, did Scouts, and were members of some clubs (NHS). They never held a “leader” position in a HS club. They got into top schools without having to “apply” for a “leadership” position.
In the end, a college is not going to care if you were VP of a HS club unless you invented or did something that became an international sensation.
Maybe this person is applying for a leadership position in a school club because s/he wants to be a leader in this club…
Traditional clubs can be good experiences…for the sake of the experience, for making positive change at school or in the community, for exploring an interest, for learning to motivate peers, and (despite what you said) traditional leadership is still valued by colleges. Other kinds of leadership like you mentioned and creative projects are valued, too, but many schools want to attract students leader in the many forms that can take.
There is nothing wrong with a student being interested in and striving to lead a school club. You have no idea what the club is, this student’s motivation for pursuing it, or any of the specifics, yet you chose to criticize and question a teenager’s self-motivated efforts.
@CCName1, If you look at this student’s previous posts, she appears to be over-scheduled with coursework as well as multiple ECs that are not school-related.
She’s asking about a leadership position in a school club. As she has no record of responding to questions from CC posters, I was asking why she needed another club. It’s a fair question since she appears to be targeting a Top 10.
Not to derail, but how do you see a poster’s other threads (I use my phone to access CC on Safari). I haven’t learned that functionality yet. Thanks!
Click directly on the posters name. It will take you to another page so you can scroll down and see her previous posts.
This isn’t our experience at all. At our school, ASB Presidents and Link Cru Chiefs of Staff pretty much always get into top 30 schools.
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@Carina_M, The point is that “leadership” doesn’t have to come from just one leader position in 1 high school club.
It’s a combination of GPA, course rigor, and the efforts by the student to work well with others. I worked at a high school and have had experience with my own children who did get into top 10’s. It’s all about the student’s efforts in all areas.
Agree 100%. But high school leadership CAN matter. To say it doesn’t is misleading.
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Didn’t say that:
Lots of kids “lead” at their high schools, without having to fill out an application for a “club” leadership position.
I mean, no offense but that seems to be exactly what you said here. But either way I do agree that kids can have leadership opportunities in many areas in high school. I just don’t agree that colleges don’t care about those more “official” leadership roles. I think they do.
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That is the part I found so off-putting and misleading, too.
As much as colleges do seem to reward creativity in activities, not every kid has the guidance, resources, or flexibility to pursue such things. Colleges still value kids who seem to have the respect of their peers and teachers and who take traditional leadership roles.
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While this question seems geared specifically for formal leadership positions, I think it’s possible to talk about how and why you exhibited leadership in places where you were not a designated leader. Some aspects to consider might be: How did you influence others? How were you able to impact the performance of the team / others even though you were not the recognized leader? Did others come to you for input or advice (which might demonstrate the recognition of your role by others)? Knowing when to step in as a leader (even without authority) is an example of “emergent leadership”. Similarly, knowing when to step into the background to allow others to shine and develop is an emergent leadership characteristic. I’m not sure it will work for your prompt, but in real life, this kind of leadership is often essential to the function and success of a team.
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