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13 ways to show leadership on college applications

13 WAYS TO SHOW LEADERSHIP ON COLLEGE APPLICATIONS

Students who can lead are considered motivated, dependable, problem-solvers, and team-players. This is exactly why college admission and scholarship review committees are looking for leadership qualities.

What is leadership?

But what does leadership experience mean, and more specifically what does it look like for high school students?

DEFINITION: By leadership experience, we mean everything that demonstrates a student’s ability to take initiative, lead their peers, serve as a role model or even create something new.

There are so many opportunities for students to gain leadership experience – and it’s not just officer positions of a club.

CLARIFICATION: Leadership does NOT mean outgoing; so don’t be intimidated at the thought of taking on a leadership role.

 How do I find leadership opportunities?

Many times, you can make your own opportunities for leadership experience. Don’t limit yourself to the idea that leadership is defined by officer titles such as president, secretary or treasurer. Often, you can find situations that require someone to step up. You can also brainstorm ways to create your own leadership role. Is there an event coming up that needs someone to plan it? Is there a need at your school or in your town that no one is addressing?

BONUS TIP: Students who are heavily involved in a particular interest or know their future career/major should strive for leadership roles that compliment that area.

Here are 13 ways students can show leadership experience on their applications:

  • Run for an officer position (the obvious choice):  This could include student government or any other club or organization that you are a part of.
  • Plan an event:  Events take a lot of planning, coordination and leadership. Look for opportunities to become a team leader or organizer for an event.
  • Lead a project:  Do you have an idea for a project, but no one wants to take on the planning? Do it yourself! Creating a new project or initiative and bringing it to fruition really stands out on applications. Whether it’s implementing a new recycling program at your school, organizing a food donation collection, or starting your town’s first stream team, taking this kind of initiative will set you apart.
  • Spearhead a campaign:  Interested in politics? Showcase your leadership abilities by getting involved in school, local community, state, or even national campaigns.
  • Step up at work:  Leadership isn’t just for school clubs and community service organizations. You can gain leadership experience at your job by working your way up to shift leader, supervisor or management.
  • Become the captain of your sports team:  Playing a sport gives you the opportunity to gain leadership by becoming a team captain or leader of the team.
  • Coordinate volunteers:  It takes strong leadership and communication skills to coordinate volunteers. Offer to manage schedules, sign-ups, assignments, and more…
  • Start something new:  Are you really passionate about robotics, or the environment, or something else? If there isn’t a club for your particular interest at your school, consider starting one! Not only will it give you leadership experience, it will also give you the opportunity to meet and engage with others who are interested in the same thing!
  • Head up a committee:  Next time there’s a call for volunteers to manage a committee, raise your hand. Make sure you track the progress and impact of your committee – what did you accomplish?
  • Organize a fundraiser:  Take initiative in a club or organization by offering to organize a fundraiser. This is a big undertaking, but this type of project looks great on an application, especially if you can highlight the specific outcomes of the fundraiser.
  • Become a peer mentor:  Is there a peer mentoring program at your school? Have you served as a camp counselor? Look for ways to lead through mentorship.
  • Take the lead in community service:  Ask the organization or your volunteer supervisor how you can get more involved and gain some leadership experience. They’ll be impressed and find ways for you to build your resume.
  • Show off your entrepreneurial side:  Sell jewelry on Etsy, give private tennis lessons, start a small woodworking business in your basement, repair or tailor clothes for friends and family members, sell your famous granola and blueberry muffins, tutor for the ACT or SAT…. the possibilities are endless! What hobby, skill or interest can you turn into a business?

Here’s your leadership challenge:

Make a list of at least five (5) ideas for leadership experience. They can be roles you’ve already held or ones you can take on in the future. Use the list above to help brainstorm opportunities in areas that interest you. 

BONUS TIP: Anything that recognizes your leadership role should be kept, including awards, newspaper articles or pictures.

Congrats, you’re now officially on your way to creating an impressive application. Leadership is just one piece of the puzzle, read on for more tips: 

  • How to make your resume stand out
  • How to save and display your awards and honors
  • How do you actually find scholarships?
  • How to make the most of your college tours
  • The secret to preparing for college and scholarship applications
  • Mistakes That Could Make or Break Your Essay

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Showcase Your Leadership Experience for College Admissions: Examples for College Applications

leadership for college

Leadership skills. It’s something that all prospective college students should have listed on their applications.

Why is it so important? In today’s competitive college admissions landscape, demonstrating strong leadership skills can give applicants a significant edge.

But to really showcase your leadership experience and skills, you need to know what leadership truly means–and get a little creative.

Simply put, leadership is service. Andrew Malrux said, “To command is to serve, nothing more and nothing less.”

But can talking about service really help you?

According to the National Association for College Admission Counseling ( NACAC ) 2020 State of College Admission report, yes. More than half of colleges and universities surveyed consider a student’s demonstrated leadership qualities as a significant factor in their admissions decisions.

These institutions understand that leaders not only contribute positively to campus life but also go on to make a difference in their communities and excel in their careers.

This blog post aims to guide students on effectively showcasing their leadership skills during the college application process. In addition, applicants can demonstrate their commitment to leadership through extracurricular activities, volunteer experiences, and personal narratives.

Let’s dig in.

Importance of Leadership Skills in College Admissions

Leadership skills refer to a set of abilities that enable an individual to effectively guide, influence, and motivate others toward achieving a common goal. These skills play a crucial role in the college application process and in helping students excel throughout their higher education journey and impress employers upon entering the workforce.

You attract leadership opportunities when you use these skills to serve a purpose. You don’t have to be certain age or member of a specific club or organization to do that. Student leaders from all walks of life can develop and strengthen these important skills. This, in turn, shows employers (and the admission committee) that you have what it takes to be a good team member, finish a group project, and set a great example on campus.

Examples of Leadership Skills

Some key leadership skills include:

  • Communication: Effective communication involves clearly articulating ideas, actively listening to others, and adapting one’s message to suit diverse audiences. Strong communication skills are essential for leaders to convey their vision, facilitate group discussions, and maintain open channels of dialogue with team members.
  • Decision-making: Leaders often need to make quick, informed decisions while considering various factors and potential consequences. The ability to assess situations and make sound judgments is vital for successful leaders.
  • Problem-solving: Leaders must identify issues, analyze information, and develop practical solutions. Problem-solving skills allow leaders to navigate challenges, overcome obstacles, and find new ideas for achieving their goals.
  • Teamwork: Effective leaders know how to collaborate with others, delegate tasks, and foster a supportive environment where team members can thrive. Being a team player involves recognizing and valuing the contributions of others, resolving conflicts, and promoting a culture of mutual respect.
  • Empathy: Leaders who demonstrate empathy can understand and relate to the feelings, perspectives, and experiences of others. This quality allows them to build strong relationships, offer support, and lead with compassion.

What Does This Look Like?

Let’s say you’ve served as a student orientation leader at your school. There are many situations where you would need to utilize a variety of skills to ensure the successful orientation of new students.

During the orientation process, an incoming student approaches you, expressing concern about a scheduling conflict between a required course and a part-time job. The student is worried about losing their job but also wants to ensure that they fulfill all academic requirements.

To address this issue, you listen attentively to the student’s concerns and ask clarifying questions to understand the situation entirely. Then you explain the options available to the student, such as seeking a course override or looking for a new job that accommodates their schedule.

being a student leader

Using problem-solving skills, you help the student weigh the pros and cons of each option and provide guidance on how to make an informed decision. You also encourage students to communicate with the appropriate academic and career services departments to explore additional resources.

Throughout the interaction, you demonstrate empathy by acknowledging the student’s worries and fears and offering emotional support. You make sure the student feels heard and validated while also providing practical solutions to address the issue at hand.

By utilizing effective communication, decision-making, problem-solving, and empathy skills, the orientation leader is able to help the student navigate a difficult situation and feel more confident and supported during their transition to college life.

Although you might not have this same leadership experience for college just yet, you probably have one you can use similarly.

What about a community service project or time spent on a sports team? Volunteer experience requires you to talk the talk while getting to contribute to causes you are interested in, even if for a short period of time. The same for part-time jobs that allow you to earn both extra cash and confidence.

Identifying Your Leadership Experiences

What qualifies as a leadership role? Does it have to be a student government position or a paid job? The answer is no! Here are a few examples.

Extracurricular Activities

sports leadership experience

Extracurricular activities play a significant role in helping students develop and showcase their leadership skills. For example, participating in student government, sports teams, cultural events, or clubs and organizations provides opportunities to hold leadership roles such as team captain, club president, or event organizer.

These experiences allow students to gain hands-on experience in decision-making, teamwork, and communication, demonstrating their leadership abilities to college admissions officers.

Community Service

Community service and volunteer experiences also offer a platform for students to exhibit their leadership skills. Students can make a difference in their communities while building valuable skills by participating in community service projects or taking the initiative to create and lead their own projects.

This could involve organizing a fundraiser for a local organization, coordinating a neighborhood clean-up effort, or mentoring younger students in after-school programs. These experiences demonstrate a student’s commitment to community engagement and highlight their ability to lead, problem-solve, and work with diverse groups of people.

Work or Internship Experiences

Work or internship experiences are another avenue for students to gain leadership experience and showcase their skills. Whether it’s a part-time job during the school year, a summer internship, or a volunteer position, these experiences often present opportunities for students to take on responsibilities, manage tasks, and collaborate with team members.

By taking the initiative to lead projects or contribute new ideas, students can demonstrate strong leadership qualities, such as time management, interpersonal skills, and the ability to adapt to a professional environment.

Including these experiences on college applications and resumes will impress both admissions officers and future employers, signaling a student’s potential for success in higher education and the workforce.

How to Showcase Your Leadership Skills in Your Application

College application.

To effectively showcase your leadership skills in your college application, strategically highlighting your experiences and personal growth is essential. College applications, such as the Common Application or individual university applications, often include sections dedicated to extracurricular activities, work experience, and community service. Be sure to emphasize the leadership roles you’ve held and your impact in these areas. A college admissions consultant can help you with all aspects of showcasing your leadership skills and much more with the admissions and application process.

Essays and Personal Statements

College admissions essays and personal statements provide an excellent opportunity for you to delve deeper into your leadership experiences.

Choosing a Leadership-Related Essay Prompt

leadership for college applications

Begin by selecting a leadership-related essay prompt or crafting your own if the application allows for open-ended topics. This gives you a chance to showcase your unique perspective on leadership, share personal anecdotes, and highlight the qualities that make you a great leader.

Crafting a Compelling Narrative

When crafting a compelling narrative, focus on telling a story that demonstrates your leadership growth. Describe the challenges you’ve faced, the lessons you’ve learned, and the impact you’ve had on others. By illustrating your journey and the obstacles you’ve overcome, you can demonstrate your resilience, adaptability, and problem-solving abilities.

Showcasing Your Leadership Growth

Showcasing your leadership growth is an essential component of your application. It not only highlights your past accomplishments but also indicates your potential for continued development and success in college and beyond. By weaving your leadership experiences throughout your application, you can paint a vivid picture of your strengths and potential, ultimately making a lasting impression on college admissions officers.

Letters of Recommendation

Letters of recommendation play a crucial role in showcasing your leadership skills to college admissions officers.

To ensure your letters effectively highlight your abilities, it’s important to choose recommenders who have directly observed your leadership experiences, such as teachers, coaches, or supervisors. These individuals can provide specific examples of your leadership qualities, interpersonal skills, and problem-solving abilities, giving admissions officers valuable insight into your potential.

When requesting letters of recommendation, provide your recommenders with context for your leadership experiences. Share your resume, a list of your extracurricular activities, and any relevant accomplishments or projects you’ve led. This will enable your recommenders to craft a well-rounded, detailed portrait of your leadership abilities, which will strengthen your application .

Extracurricular Activities and Leadership Positions

Selecting meaningful extracurricular activities that align with your passions and interests is vital in developing your leadership skills. By engaging in activities that genuinely interest you, you’ll be more likely to demonstrate commitment and consistency, which are important qualities of successful leaders.

volunteering leadership roles for college

Seek out leadership positions within your chosen activities, such as becoming a club president, team captain, or event organizer. To obtain these roles, show initiative, contribute new ideas, and actively participate in meetings and planning. Demonstrating your dedication and enthusiasm can increase your chances of being selected for leadership roles.

Balancing your extracurricular responsibilities with your academic performance is essential. Ensure that you allocate sufficient time to both your leadership pursuits and your studies to maintain a strong application.

Pursuing Leadership Positions

Obtaining leadership roles within your chosen activities can significantly enhance your college application and demonstrate your commitment to personal growth. Here are some tips to help you secure these positions:

Tips for Obtaining Leadership Roles

  • Show initiative: Be proactive in your involvement with clubs, organizations, or teams by contributing new ideas, volunteering for tasks, and actively participating in meetings and planning sessions.
  • Build relationships: Establish strong connections with other members, mentors, or advisors within the organization. This will demonstrate your teamwork and interpersonal skills, which are essential qualities of a leader.
  • Be reliable: Consistently fulfill your responsibilities and meet deadlines, showing that you can be trusted to take on more significant roles within the group.
  • Seek feedback: Ask for input from your peers and mentors on your performance and how you can improve your leadership abilities. This will show your dedication to growth and self-improvement.

Developing Your Leadership Skills

Attending leadership workshops and conferences.

To further develop your leadership skills, consider attending workshops, conferences, or training programs that focus on leadership development. These events can provide valuable insights, resources, and networking opportunities to help you refine your leadership abilities. Many schools, universities, and organizations offer such programs, which can cover topics such as public speaking, time management, and effective communication. Participating in these events not only enhances your skills but also demonstrates your commitment to personal growth and continuous improvement.

Participating in Mentorship Programs

Mentorship programs can also play a significant role in developing your leadership skills. By connecting with experienced leaders or professionals in your field of interest, you can gain practical advice, guidance, and support as you navigate your leadership journey. Mentors can offer valuable perspectives on overcoming challenges, setting goals, and building on your strengths as a leader.

Engaging in Self Reflection and Seeking Feedback

Engaging in self-reflection and seeking feedback from peers, mentors, and supervisors is another crucial aspect of leadership development. Reflect on your experiences, identify areas for improvement, and set actionable goals for growth. By actively seeking feedback from others, you can gain insights into your strengths and weaknesses and develop a plan for further improvement. This ongoing process of self-reflection and growth will not only enhance your leadership abilities but also showcase your dedication to personal development, setting you apart from other applicants in the college admissions process.

Showcasing Your Leadership Skills in Interviews

In addition to highlighting your leadership skills in your college application, it’s essential to showcase these qualities during interviews with college admissions officers or potential employers. Proper preparation is key to making a lasting impression and effectively conveying your leadership experiences.

Preparing for Interviews

Begin by preparing for college interviews by researching the institution or organization and reflecting on your leadership experiences. Develop a list of potential leadership-related questions that you might be asked, such as “Can you describe a time when you faced a challenge as a leader and how you overcame it?” or “What qualities do you believe make a great leader, and how do you embody them?” Practice your responses, focusing on providing specific examples that demonstrate your leadership abilities.

Answering Leadership Related Questions

When answering leadership-related questions during interviews, be sure to communicate your experiences effectively. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, and Result) to structure your responses, clearly describing the context, your role, the actions you took, and the outcomes of your leadership efforts. This will provide a comprehensive and engaging narrative of your experiences, showcasing your problem-solving, decision-making, and teamwork skills.

Get Help From College Admissions Consultants With Your Leadership Skills

Showcasing your leadership skills in college applications is crucial, as it demonstrates your ability to contribute positively to the campus community and excel in your future endeavors. By embracing and developing your leadership potential, you can stand out from other applicants and increase your chances of success in higher education and beyond.

Remember that showcasing your leadership skills involves not only highlighting your experiences but also continuously refining your abilities through workshops, mentorship, and self-reflection. Embrace your potential and become the leader you aspire to be.

Leadership experience for college can encompass a wide range of activities, including extracurricular activities, community service, work or internship experiences, and volunteer opportunities. Any experience in which you have taken on a leadership role, demonstrated initiative or contributed to a team’s success can be considered leadership experience.

To gain leadership experience in high school, you can participate in extracurricular activities, join clubs or organizations, volunteer in your community, or pursue internships or part-time jobs. Seek out leadership positions within these activities, such as club president, team captain, or project leader, and actively contribute your ideas and efforts to make a difference.

Even if you haven’t held a formal leadership position, you can still showcase your leadership skills by highlighting instances where you took the initiative, collaborated effectively with others, or made a significant impact within a group or project. Focus on specific examples that demonstrate your problem-solving, decision-making, and teamwork abilities.

Yes, you can still develop your leadership skills even if you’re not naturally outgoing or assertive. Leadership comes in many forms, and different situations call for different leadership styles. Focus on developing your unique strengths, such as active listening, empathy, or creative problem-solving, and seek out opportunities to practice and refine your skills in various contexts.

To improve your communication skills as a leader, practice active listening, ask open-ended questions, and provide clear and concise instructions. Be receptive to feedback from others and be willing to adapt your communication style based on the needs of your team or audience. Participating in public speaking workshops or joining clubs like Toastmasters can also help you develop your communication skills.

Some common mistakes to avoid when showcasing leadership skills in college applications include being overly vague about your experiences, focusing solely on your accomplishments without discussing the challenges you faced, and neglecting to mention the impact your leadership had on others or the organization. To effectively showcase your leadership skills, provide specific examples, discuss the lessons you’ve learned, and highlight the positive outcomes that resulted from your efforts.

bryce welker test prep

Bryce Welker is an active speaker, blogger, and regular contributor to Forbes, Inc.com, and Business.com where he shares his knowledge to help others boost their careers.  Bryce is the founder of more than 20 test prep websites that help students and professionals pass their certification exams.

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The Role of Leadership in College Applications

college application leadership skills

Leadership is a highly valued trait in college applications. Admissions committees seek candidates who not only excel academically but also demonstrate the ability to influence, guide, and inspire others. Through leadership experiences, you have the opportunity to showcase your character, initiative, and potential for making a positive impact on your future campus community. In this section, we'll delve into the significance of leadership in college applications and how to effectively highlight your leadership experiences.

1. Why Leadership Matters:

Why Leadership Matters: Transforming Individuals into Impactful Contributors

Leadership is not just a buzzword; it's a quality that holds immense significance in personal development, community dynamics, and the broader society. Leadership matters because it transcends titles and positions – it's about the positive influence and lasting impact individuals can have on their surroundings. Whether you're pursuing educational, professional, or personal goals, cultivating leadership skills can be transformative. Here's why leadership matters:

1. Driving Positive Change:

   Leadership empowers individuals to drive positive change. Effective leaders identify challenges, develop solutions, and inspire others to contribute toward a common goal.

2. Fostering Collaboration:

   Strong leaders foster collaboration and teamwork. They bring diverse perspectives together, encourage open dialogue, and create environments where ideas flourish.

3. Inspiring Others:

   Leaders serve as role models who inspire others to take action. Their dedication, passion, and vision motivate individuals to overcome obstacles and pursue excellence.

4. Cultivating Empathy:

   Leadership nurtures empathy and understanding. Leaders who actively listen, respect differing viewpoints, and prioritize inclusivity create environments where everyone feels valued.

5. Building Confidence:

   Leadership opportunities challenge individuals to step out of their comfort zones. As they navigate challenges and achieve goals, their confidence grows.

6. Developing Communication Skills:

   Effective leaders are skilled communicators. They articulate their ideas clearly, listen actively, and adapt their communication style to connect with diverse audiences.

7. Promoting Critical Thinking:

   Leadership involves making informed decisions and solving complex problems. Leaders analyze situations, weigh options, and make choices that lead to positive outcomes.

8. Cultivating Resilience:

   Leaders learn to navigate setbacks and failures with resilience. They view challenges as opportunities for growth and persist even when faced with adversity.

9. Creating Vision and Strategy:

   Leaders have a vision for the future and the ability to chart a strategic path to achieve it. Their ability to set clear goals motivates others to work collectively.

10. Empowering Others:

    True leaders empower those around them. They recognize and develop the potential in others, providing opportunities for growth and mentorship.

11. Effecting Lasting Change:

    Leadership goes beyond short-term solutions; it's about making sustainable, long-lasting impacts that benefit communities and society as a whole.

12. Influence and Impact:

    Leaders have the capacity to influence decisions, policies, and behaviors. They can shape the direction of organizations, institutions, and movements.

13. Leadership in Various Contexts:

    Leadership is relevant in academic, professional, community, and personal settings. Regardless of the context, leadership skills enhance one's ability to navigate challenges and create positive outcomes.

14. Contributing to Communities:

    Leadership equips individuals to contribute meaningfully to their communities. It's about using one's strengths to make a difference where it matters most.

15. Catalyzing Innovation:

    Leaders often push boundaries and challenge the status quo. Their innovative thinking leads to the creation of new ideas, solutions, and opportunities.

16. Preparing for Future Roles:

    Leadership skills are invaluable for future roles in academia, careers, and personal relationships. They equip individuals to navigate complex landscapes with confidence.

Leadership matters because it transforms individuals into agents of positive change, empowers them to make meaningful contributions, and cultivates skills that are essential for personal and collective success. Leadership isn't confined to a select few; it's a quality that can be nurtured and developed by anyone willing to embrace challenges, learn, and inspire others. In a world that constantly evolves, effective leadership remains a cornerstone for progress and growth.

2. Types of Leadership:

Exploring Different Types of Leadership: From Formal Roles to Everyday Influence

Leadership comes in various forms, each with its unique characteristics and impact. Whether you hold a formal position or lead through your actions, understanding the different types of leadership can help you harness your strengths and contribute effectively to your community and beyond. Let's explore some prominent types of leadership:

1. Formal Leadership:

   This type of leadership involves holding an official position of authority. Formal leaders have designated roles and responsibilities. Examples include:

   - School President: Leading student body initiatives, representing students, and collaborating with school administration.

   - Team Captain: Guiding and motivating team members in sports, clubs, or extracurricular activities.

   - Student Council Officer: Participating in decision-making and planning events to enhance the school environment.

2. Informal Leadership:

   Informal leaders influence their peers without holding a formal title. They inspire through their actions, behavior, and ability to bring people together. Examples include:

   - Peer Mentor: Guiding and supporting fellow students academically, emotionally, or socially.

   - Community Organizer: Mobilizing neighbors for projects, events, or social causes.

   - Classroom Influencer: Setting a positive tone in the classroom, encouraging participation, and fostering a collaborative environment.

3. Servant Leadership:

   Servant leaders prioritize the needs of others above their own. They lead by serving, supporting, and uplifting their team members. Characteristics include empathy, humility, and a focus on community well-being.

4. Transformational Leadership:

   Transformational leaders inspire and motivate by creating a vision for the future and encouraging others to share in that vision. They ignite passion, drive, and personal growth in their followers.

5. Transactional Leadership:

   Transactional leaders emphasize clear structures, rewards, and consequences. They manage tasks and ensure that goals are met. This type of leadership is more focused on maintaining the status quo.

6. Charismatic Leadership:

   Charismatic leaders possess a magnetic personality and the ability to captivate and motivate others through their energy, enthusiasm, and compelling communication.

7. Autocratic Leadership:

   Autocratic leaders make decisions independently and expect followers to adhere to their directives. While efficient in some situations, this style can hinder collaboration.

8. Democratic Leadership:

   Democratic leaders involve team members in decision-making, fostering a sense of ownership and inclusivity. Collaboration and input from various perspectives are valued.

9. Laissez-Faire Leadership:

   Laissez-faire leaders adopt a hands-off approach, allowing team members to make decisions independently. This style promotes autonomy but requires self-motivation and responsibility.

10. Situational Leadership:

    Situational leaders adapt their leadership style based on the circumstances and the needs of their team. They recognize that different situations require different approaches.

11. Cross-Cultural Leadership:

    Cross-cultural leaders navigate diverse environments and understand cultural nuances. They respect and integrate varied perspectives to lead effectively in multicultural contexts.

12. Inclusive Leadership:

    Inclusive leaders champion diversity and create environments where all voices are heard and valued. They actively seek out diverse perspectives and promote equity.

13. Thought Leadership:

    Thought leaders are experts in their field who share valuable insights, knowledge, and innovative ideas. They influence others through their expertise and intellectual contributions.

14. Lead by Example:

    Leading by example is a universal type of leadership. It's about embodying the qualities you expect from others and inspiring through your actions.

15. Personal Leadership:

    Personal leadership involves leading oneself by setting goals, making choices aligned with one's values, and demonstrating discipline and self-improvement.

Leadership is a dynamic concept that takes on various forms, each with its own strengths and characteristics. Whether you hold a formal position, inspire through your actions, or adapt your style to different situations, your leadership has the potential to make a positive impact. Understanding these types of leadership empowers you to embrace your strengths, foster growth, and contribute effectively to your communities, organizations, and relationships.

3. Initiative and Responsibility:

Initiative and Responsibility: Catalysts for Effective Leadership

Initiative and responsibility are foundational qualities that define successful leaders. They reflect the proactive mindset and accountability necessary to drive positive change and inspire others. Leaders who exhibit initiative take action without waiting for instructions, while those who embrace responsibility take ownership of their actions and decisions. In this section, we'll explore how initiative and responsibility are essential components of effective leadership.

1. Initiative: A Catalyst for Action:

   Initiative is the ability to identify opportunities, challenges, or areas for improvement and take proactive steps to address them. Initiators are not content with the status quo; they seek ways to make a meaningful impact.

2. Why Initiative Matters:

   Leaders who take initiative demonstrate resourcefulness, creativity, and a willingness to go beyond expectations. They set a precedent for proactive problem-solving and inspire others to follow suit.

3. Identifying Opportunities:

   Initiators have a keen eye for opportunities that others may overlook. They identify gaps, needs, and possibilities that align with their vision.

4. Being Action-Oriented:

   Initiative involves turning ideas into action. Rather than waiting for directives, leaders with initiative take the lead in implementing solutions.

5. Motivating and Inspiring Others:

   Initiators inspire others through their dedication and commitment to making a difference. Their enthusiasm is contagious and encourages team members to contribute actively.

6. Embracing Responsibility: A Pillar of Trust:

   Responsibility is the willingness to be accountable for one's actions, decisions, and their outcomes. Responsible leaders own up to both successes and setbacks.

7. Why Responsibility Matters:

   Responsible leaders foster trust and reliability. They demonstrate integrity by consistently honoring commitments and facing challenges head-on.

8. Accountability to Others:

   Responsible leaders understand that their actions impact not only themselves but also their team members, colleagues, and communities.

9. Admitting Mistakes:

   Responsible leaders acknowledge their mistakes and take steps to rectify them. This transparency builds credibility and shows a commitment to growth.

10. Leading by Example:

    Leaders who embrace responsibility set the standard for accountability. Their actions reflect the values they expect from their team members.

11. Building a Positive Culture:

    Responsible leaders contribute to a positive organizational culture by fostering an environment of trust, respect, and reliability.

12. Balancing Initiative and Responsibility:

    Effective leaders strike a balance between taking initiative and embracing responsibility. Initiative drives innovation, while responsibility ensures the impact is ethical and sustainable.

13. Cultivating Initiative and Responsibility:

    Nurture these qualities through experiences that challenge you to take the lead and make decisions. Learning from successes and failures refines your abilities.

14. Setting Clear Goals:

    Define your objectives and the steps needed to achieve them. Initiating and following through on these steps demonstrates your commitment to your goals.

15. Seeking Feedback:

    Actively seek feedback to gauge the impact of your actions and decisions. Constructive feedback helps you fine-tune your approach.

16. Empowering Others:

    Encourage team members to take initiative and share responsibility. An inclusive leadership approach empowers everyone to contribute.

17. Reflecting and Learning:

    Regularly reflect on your experiences and consider how your initiative and responsibility have influenced outcomes. Use this insight to refine your leadership approach.

Initiative and responsibility are the cornerstones of effective leadership. Initiators drive innovation and change, while responsible leaders ensure that these changes are ethical, reliable, and aligned with a broader purpose. By combining these qualities, you become a catalyst for positive transformation, inspiring others and creating a lasting impact on the individuals and communities you serve.

4. Impact and Growth:

Impact and Growth: The Dynamic Duo of Leadership

Impact and growth are intertwined elements that define the essence of leadership. Effective leaders not only create tangible positive changes but also foster their own personal development and that of their team members. Through meaningful impact and continuous growth, leaders inspire others, drive progress, and create lasting legacies. Let's explore how impact and growth are fundamental to successful leadership.

1. Impact: Catalyzing Positive Change:

   Impact is the measure of the positive influence a leader has on individuals, communities, organizations, or causes. Leaders who make an impact create meaningful outcomes that endure.

2. Why Impact Matters:

   Impactful leaders leave their mark by driving change, addressing challenges, and contributing to the greater good. Their actions create ripple effects that extend beyond their immediate sphere.

3. Creating Lasting Change:

   Leaders who prioritize impact seek opportunities to make sustainable improvements that benefit the present and future.

4. Inspiring Others:

   Impactful leaders inspire others to join their efforts. When people see the tangible effects of leadership, they're motivated to contribute and be part of the solution.

5. Aligning with Values:

   Leaders who make an impact are guided by their core values. They ensure their actions reflect their beliefs and contribute to causes they deeply care about.

6. Growth: A Journey of Continuous Improvement:

   Growth in leadership refers to the ongoing process of self-improvement, learning, and expanding one's abilities. Leaders who prioritize growth evolve into more effective and influential individuals.

7. Why Growth Matters:

   Leaders who commit to growth model a culture of continuous learning, adaptability, and resilience. Their personal development sets an example for their team members.

8. Embracing Challenges:

   Growth-minded leaders view challenges as opportunities to learn and improve. They face setbacks with a willingness to adapt and overcome.

9. Learning from Experience:

   Every experience, whether successful or not, contributes to a leader's growth. Reflecting on these experiences enhances wisdom and decision-making.

10. Stepping Outside Comfort Zones:

    Leaders who seek growth willingly venture into new territories, take calculated risks, and challenge themselves to acquire new skills.

11. Feedback and Self-Awareness:

    Growth-minded leaders actively seek feedback from others and practice self-reflection. This self-awareness fuels their development journey.

12. Balancing Impact and Growth:

    Effective leaders strike a balance between making a positive impact and nurturing personal and professional growth. Impactful actions fuel growth, while growth enhances the potential for impactful actions.

13. Setting Stretch Goals:

    Define ambitious goals that require you to stretch beyond your comfort zone. Achieving these goals propels your growth and amplifies your impact.

14. Adapting and Innovating:

    Leaders who value growth are open to change and innovation. They adapt to evolving contexts, embrace new technologies, and pioneer new approaches.

15. Mentorship and Learning Communities:

    Seek mentorship from seasoned leaders and actively participate in learning communities. Surrounding yourself with diverse perspectives accelerates your growth.

16. Reflecting on Progress:

    Regularly assess your growth journey and celebrate milestones. This reflection keeps you motivated and focused on your leadership trajectory.

Impact and growth are two sides of the same coin in leadership. Impactful leaders leverage their abilities to create positive change, while those committed to growth continually refine their skills and contribute even more effectively. By embracing these twin principles, leaders inspire innovation, elevate others, and leave a legacy that extends beyond their time. Impact and growth are not just outcomes of leadership; they are ongoing journeys that shape the very essence of who you are as a leader.

5. Collaboration and Teamwork:

Collaboration and Teamwork: The Heartbeat of Effective Leadership

Collaboration and teamwork are the lifeblood of effective leadership. Leaders who prioritize working together with others, valuing diverse perspectives, and fostering a cohesive team environment create a foundation for success. By leveraging the collective strengths of a team, leaders can achieve more significant outcomes, inspire innovation, and drive positive change. Let's explore why collaboration and teamwork are essential components of leadership.

1. Collaboration: Leveraging Collective Intelligence:

   Collaboration is the process of working with others to achieve a common goal. Leaders who champion collaboration tap into the collective intelligence, creativity, and expertise of their team members.

2. Why Collaboration Matters:

   Collaborative leaders recognize that the synergy of diverse perspectives generates more innovative solutions and impactful results than individual efforts.

3. Fostering Inclusivity:

   Collaborative leaders value every team member's contributions, regardless of their background, experience, or role. Inclusion nurtures a sense of belonging and trust.

4. Breaking Down Silos:

   Collaborative leaders break down silos and encourage open communication across departments, disciplines, or groups. This promotes cross-functional problem-solving.

5. Encouraging Shared Ownership:

   Collaborative leaders empower team members to take ownership of projects and initiatives. Shared responsibility cultivates a sense of accountability and pride.

6. Teamwork: Greater Than the Sum of Parts:

   Teamwork is the collaborative effort of a group of individuals working together toward a common goal. Effective leaders understand that the synergy of teamwork yields results beyond individual capabilities.

7. Why Teamwork Matters:

   Teamwork enables leaders to harness diverse skills, strengths, and perspectives to address complex challenges and achieve ambitious objectives.

8. Building Trust:

   Leaders who prioritize teamwork build trust by fostering an environment where individuals can rely on one another's contributions and support.

9. Communication and Active Listening:

   Effective teamwork relies on clear communication and active listening. Leaders facilitate open dialogue and ensure that everyone's voice is heard.

10. Conflict Resolution:

    Teamwork inevitably encounters conflicts. Leaders adept at conflict resolution address disagreements constructively and foster a culture of respectful discourse.

11. Synergy and Innovation:

    Teams with diverse members bring together a range of experiences and ideas. This diversity fuels creativity and innovation, leading to breakthrough solutions.

12. Lead by Example:

    Leaders set the tone for teamwork by demonstrating collaboration in their own interactions and by appreciating and acknowledging team efforts.

13. Creating a Positive Team Culture:

    Leaders shape the team culture by promoting mutual respect, valuing contributions, and creating an environment where collaboration thrives.

    Establish clear, shared goals that provide direction and purpose. These goals unite the team's efforts toward a common objective.

15. Acknowledging Contributions:

    Recognize and celebrate individual and collective achievements. Acknowledging efforts boosts morale and reinforces the value of teamwork.

16. Providing Support and Resources:

    Support your team by providing the resources, tools, and guidance they need to excel. Your commitment to their success cultivates trust and loyalty.

Collaboration and teamwork are the cornerstones of effective leadership. By harnessing the collective intelligence, diverse perspectives, and complementary skills of a team, leaders amplify their impact and drive meaningful change. A collaborative and supportive team environment fosters creativity, innovation, and a shared commitment to achieving ambitious goals. As a leader who values collaboration and embraces teamwork, you'll inspire others to collaborate effectively, elevate the quality of work, and create lasting positive outcomes.

Conclusion:

Leadership is a cornerstone of personal growth and a key component of a well-rounded college application. Your ability to inspire, collaborate, and make positive changes within a community speaks volumes about your character and potential. By thoughtfully sharing your leadership experiences and their impact, you can present yourself as a dynamic candidate who will contribute meaningfully to your chosen college environment.

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Showcase Leadership in College Applications

Gelyna Price

Gelyna Price

Head of programs and lead admissions expert, table of contents, college applications.

Stay up-to-date on the latest research and college admissions trends with our blog team.

Showcase Leadership in College Applications

“Leadership” is a major buzzword in college admissions . In scope, the word impacts applications, essay supplements, work experience, and extracurricular activities. But what do admissions officers really want to see? Furthermore, how can a student translate leadership in college applications?

Why Leadership Matters

On a scale of 1-4, with 4 being of most important value, schools like Princeton, Yale, Stanford, MIT, and University of Pennsylvania gave personal character a 4/4 in terms of importance in college applications. This specific data is derived from Empowerly ‘ s research . In fact, we have data that allows one to search for other factors influencing an application such as talent/ability, work experience, and extracurricular activities.

Specifically, Yale and Stanford are the top two schools focused on character AND extracurricular involvement, giving both a 4/4 in terms of importance.

This data reveals that leadership is one of the best and most impactful ways to show character and exceptional extracurricular involvement, especially for Top 50 schools. A dmissions officers from these colleges want to find students who are visionary, entrepreneurial, thoughtful, inquisitive, and exemplary. In other words, students who are capable of great leadership.

What Admissions Officers Want to See

Next, these are direct excerpts from the Undergraduate Admissions websites of several Top 50 colleges. Specifically, note the similarities:   

“We want to see the impact you have had on that club, in your school, or in the larger community, and we want to learn of the impact that experience has had on you.” Stanford University
“We seek to identify students who will be the best educators of one another and their professors—individuals who will inspire those around them during their college years and beyond.” Harvard University   
“Decade after decade, Yalies have set out to make our world better. We are looking for students we can help to become the leaders of their generation in whatever they wish to pursue.” Yale University
“The Admissions Committee is interested in knowing the duration of your commitments as this gives us insight into the depth of your involvement and a sense of the impact you’ve made in your community. Note leadership roles and/or specific responsibilities. These details highlight your initiative and developed capacity as a leader, role model, and doer.” University of Pennsylvania

W e definitely notice a common theme here. Looking closely, you can see w ords like “impact” and “inspire,” w hich highlight why “leadership” has become hot this application cycle. This is because admissions officers across Ivies, Stanford, UC’s, and other Top 50 schools ask themselves these type of questions w hile reviewing applications:

  • How has this student made lasting change to their activity through leadership?
  • Where has he inspired others with his attitude?
  • How can this student bring that spirit to my university’s campus?

Moving forward: next steps

In summary, see this Empowerly blog post for more specific details on how to deepen extracurricular involvement. Evidence shows that l eadership in college applications is a must for competitive schools. Admissions officers will read the applications of thousands of club presidents, captains, and elected officials. Therefore, it is not enough just to have a position. Instead, l ook for ways to better evolve your club or team. And finally, don’t be afraid to make changes for the better.

Want to make sure your college applications stand out? Book your free consultation today–don’t wait!

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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, how to get leadership experience in your extracurriculars.

Extracurriculars

body_leadershipinfo.jpg

Extracurriculars are a significant part of your college application, and just participating in an extracurricular is not enough. Colleges don’t want participants. Colleges want leaders. If you want to stand out, it’s not sufficient to be the president of a club. Colleges want leaders who take initiative and get their goals accomplished.

How can you become a successful leader in your extracurricular? What are good leadership activities for high schoolers? In this article, I’ll guide you through the whole process of becoming a successful leader: from deciding where to focus your efforts to implementing your plan to describing your achievements on a college application.

Why Is Leadership Experience Important?

Demonstrating leadership is one of the most important parts of your college application. It's almost required to get into a top college , and having great leadership experience can help compensate for another area of your application that isn't quite as strong as you'd like it to be. Admissions officers like to see students take control in their high school extracurricular activities and show off their leadership skills.

Why do admissions officers care about leadership? Colleges hope that the applicants they admit will go on to be leaders on their campus and leaders out in the world.  Colleges want their alumni to have a significant and beneficial impact on the world.  Admissions officers use your high school extracurricular activities as a way to judge if you have the interest and ability to be a leader.

What do colleges look for in leadership experience? As I said before, simply having a leadership title in one of your extracurriculars is not enough ( most high-achieving  high school students have a leadership role in an extracurricular), you need to be a leader who makes an impact. 

What Is Impact?

Impact is making a real difference: leading your club to raise $5,000 for breast cancer research, leading your team as captain to the national championship, leading your club to collect 1,000 cans of food to donate to your local food back, etc. In general, your impact should be measurable by a number amount (i.e. $1,000 raised or 500 students attended the event) or by meeting a big goal (i.e. getting to the state or national level of competition). You should be able to say, "Under my leadership, the student council raised $5,000 to make prom free for all students" or "Under my leadership, our math team went from not making the regional competition to winning the state championship." 

It's important to show impact  because, as I mentioned above, most high-achieving high school students will have some leadership role on their application. Not many students will have made a true impact.  Impact is difficult to achieve, but I will guide you through the process in the steps below. 

body_leadership1.jpg

What Are Ivy League Schools Looking For?

If you’re hoping to attend an Ivy League school, I recommend that you try to get leadership experience in your main area of interest. What do I mean by that? The Ivy League no longer wants well-rounded students (who do varied activities such as tennis, drama, student government, and volunteering at an animal shelter). By participating in such a wide range of activities, very, very selective colleges (the Ivy League and Stanford) may see your well-roundedness as a lack of focus.

The Ivy League schools want experts.  They want students who specialize in one general area .  For example, if your passion is drama, you should join the drama club, do regional theater, compete in the drama categories with your speech and debate team, write an original play, and/or volunteer with a children’s theater group.  Specializing in one area doesn’t mean only doing one activity. If drama is your focus, don’t just be an inactive member of your drama club. You need to do more than that to impress the Ivy League. As I said above, you need to make an impact. 

Whatever one thing you choose to be an expert in, I recommend you also try to become a leader in that field.  If you’re a number 1 ranked tennis player, consider trying to run for team captain at your school, founding a club to teach children how to play tennis, and hosting a tennis competition to raise money for breast cancer. If you’re a mathlete, consider running for a mathlete board position, holding a Pi day fundraiser for charity where you sell pies, and starting a club to help students with their math homework.

Whether or not you’re hoping to attend an Ivy League school, you should still try to show leadership and make an impact in your extracurriculars. If you’re not gunning for the Ivy League, you don’t have to worry about focusing on one area of expertise. However, you still need leadership experience because it’s impressive to all colleges, and, as I said before, it can help you get accepted or make up for another area of your application if it isn't quite as strong as you'd like it to be.

body_leadership2.jpg

Which way do you go to get leadership experience?

How Can You Get Leadership Experience?

If colleges want to see meaningful leadership experience, you should try to get it! But  h ow can you become a leader?  Your first thought might be to think of traditional high school leadership activities such as being on student council . Student council is not necessarily the best leadership experience for all applicants.  There are many other ways to show leadership. Below, I give you my top four options:

Option #1: Become a Board Member, Club President, or Team Captain

You can become club president or team captain by getting good at whatever the main club activity is, cultivating relationships with teammates or other club members, and doing more work than is just required. Show that you're willing to do more work than expected by offering to help with the events (come early, help with set up/organizing, help with clean up, etc.). 

Don’t expect to become club president immediately as a freshman.  I recommend you try to work your way up to becoming a top leader in the club. Start in a smaller position such as secretary or treasurer your freshman or sophomore year, and then move up to vice president and then to president. All during this time you need to be making relationships with teammates or club members and show you're willing to work hard. That was my strategy to become my high school’s student government president, and it worked!

Option #2: Start a New Club in Your Area of Interest 

Before founding a new club, brainstorm what you'd want that club to be, come up with ideas for what the club's purpose would b,e and talk to people with similar interests to see if they'd be interested in the club. For more information, read about how to start a club in high school  and check out our list of clubs to start in high school .

If you’re nervous or unsure about starting a new club, consider first trying to plan a new event or project for an existing club.  For example, if a math club exists, consider planning an event at which the math club offers free tutoring to other students struggling with math. If your planned event goes well, you’ll feel that much more confident and ready to start your own club. 

body_leadershipstart.jpg

Option #3: Lead a Project in Your Area of Interest

Before leading a project, you should help a current club or charity plan an event or host a fundraiser. That way you can learn how to organize a successful event or fundraiser. You'll see how that person did it, get advice, and see how successful they are. Talk to classmates about what kind of fundraiser they'd enjoy, and see if any classmates would be interested in helping you. 

Option #4: Increase Participation in an Activity

In order to make a real impact, I'd suggest trying to get the number of participants or attendees for a club, fundraiser, or similar event above 50 (100 or more is better). Before you attempt to increase participation, you need to see how that event or club runs. Offer to help the person currently responsible for planning that event or the person who is responsible for club recruitment. See what they do that works and what they do that doesn't. Ask people who attend club events what they liked, disliked, and what suggestions they have for improvement. Take all of this into consideration when trying to increase participation in a club or event.

DISCLAIMER: I do recommend joining student council if that’s your “expertise.” If you’re hoping to be a political science major in college and want to be a politician someday, go ahead and join student council and make that your “expertise.” If you need advice on how to run for student council, check out our other article . However, don’t just join student council to add to your list of extracurriculars and to make yourself seem like a leader.

How Should You Decide Which Leadership Activities to Do?

I've listed a whole bunch of options above, but which should you do?  Take the time to make a list of all the potential leadership opportunities in your area of interest.  Check out my examples to help get started:  

  • Expertise: Film
  • Become a board member of the film club that currently exists at my school.
  • I like foreign films. I’m going to create a foreign film club where we watch a new foreign film every week and discuss it.
  • I am going to start a donation drive where I collect people’s old VHSs and DVDs (along with DVD and VHS players) and donate them to a local hospital so the patients will have movies to watch.
  • Expertise: Art
  • Become a board member of the art club that currently exists at my school.
  • Host a student art sale at a local gallery to raise money for breast cancer.
  • Organize and teach a weekly painting class at a local nursing home.
  • Expertise: Science
  • Compete in Science Olympiad .
  • Organize and teach a weekly science class after school to elementary school students.
  • Start a robotics club or team.
  • Expertise: Politics
  • Compete on the debate team.
  • Join the school newspaper and start a political column.
  • Start a Democrat/Republican/Independent club or a general politics club.

I’d recommend trying to come up with at least three ideas, but five or more is ideal.  Why do you need so many ideas? Not all ideas will be winners.

You need to analyze what you’re most interested in doing and what’ll be impressive to colleges. What will be impressive to colleges?  A leadership experience in which you’re active and made a tangible difference. As I said before, you need to have impact, and it should be measurable and make a tangible difference. 

For my collection drive idea (in the film section), while it might work, I may not be able to collect all that many Blu-Rays, DVDs and VHSs as many people are now just buying films through Apple TV/Roku. If I only collect 20 movies, that will not be very impressive to colleges and will not make a tangible difference. However,  if I do decide to do the drive and manage to collect 1,000 movies, that’s a tangible difference.

Try to narrow your choices down to 1 or 2 that you know you’re passionate about and that you know will be impressive to colleges.

body_leadership3.jpg

Tips on How to Follow Through With Your Leadership Activity

Once you narrow down your choices to the final one or two that you’ll do, how should you go about actually developing your leadership in these areas?  I recommend writing down what you plan to do on a piece of paper and putting it somewhere important (like your desk) where you’ll see it every day, so it’ll keep you motivated. Tell your parents/guardians about your goal. They’ll be impressed, and you’ll be more motivated now that they know your plan.

Create a timeline of goals or an action plan to meet in order to execute your plans.  Start with today (whether you’re a freshman, sophomore, junior or senior) Create actionable goals for today. Make these something you can do right now: “I’ll join the math club.”

Create goals for later this year.  Once you join some organization(s), you can then start looking for or creating leadership opportunities: "I'm going to run for math club treasurer."

Next, create goals for next year (and every year you have left of high school) to build on that initial leadership experience and expand your impact.  “I’ll run for math club president, and I’ll start a charity drive for graduating seniors to donate their calculators to students who can’t afford one. I’ll recruit other math club members to spread the word about the calculator donation drive by making announcements in their classes and giving fliers to their teachers to put up in their classrooms.”

Why is creating a timeline or action plan important?  It’s easy to procrastinate and avoid taking the leap to becoming a leader. It can feel daunting. It’s hard to imagine being elected president of a club when you’re not even a member yet or when you haven’t held a position or planned an event. However, your action plan should show you that your goal is achievable! You just need to take the appropriate small steps to get there.

How to Include Leadership Experience on College Applications

On your college applications, you’ll be able to list your leadership experience under extracurricular activities. You’ll only have 150 characters to describe your activities, so use those words wisely.

With these 150 characters, you should try to describe what you did in your leadership role (what events did you plan/run), and describe your impact (how much did you fundraise, how many people showed up to your event).  You will not be able to use complete sentences!

Start with an action verb such as created, executed, planned, or developed.  Here are some examples:

  • Extracurricular: President of the Foreign Film Club
  • Description: Founded club, grew to 15 members, raised $5000 to direct foreign film, won 1st prize at local film festival.
  • Extracurricular: President of the Art Club
  • Description: Doubled membership from 20 to 40 members, raised $2000 for brain tumor research through a student art sale.
  • Extracurricular: Speech & Debate Competitor
  • Description: Placed 1st in the Blue Key Speech and Debate tournament in Congress competition 3 years in a row.

Essentially, you want your 150 characters to show your leadership and your impact.  For more in-depth information, read our guide on How to Write About Extracurriculars On College Applications

If you feel you need to say more, you can add it in the additional information section of your Common App (it’s under "Writing").  However, only add more if you truly have new information to add. For example, if you wrote: "Founded club, grew to 15 members, raised $5000 to direct foreign film, won 1st prize at local film festival", you don’t need to explain that you set up an Indiegogo page to raise the money and that you created a teaser/trailer for the Indiegogo fundraiser. However, if you also organized a film screening for charity and raised $10,000 for lymphoma research, then make sure you add that! It’s brand new information and very impressive!

Don’t worry if you feel like you didn’t get to explain your activity in enough depth.  You can potentially write about it as a part of your Common App Essay.  One of the Common App Essay prompts asks you to discuss an accomplishment. You can talk about your leadership role as an example of an accomplishment. For more advice on how to write a great college essay, check out our other guide .

What’s Next?

You should learn more about what makes an amazing extracurricular activity for you college applications . Also, learn about how many extracurricular activities you need for college.

Interested in learning about unique extracurricular opportunities? Learn more about job shadowing , community service , and volunteer abroad programs.

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How to Develop Leadership Skills as a Student (Advice From a College Student)

...experts suggest that good communication is one of the best ways to build your “leadership brand.” that means speaking up about the causes you care about and taking action to....

By Carlee Strathmann

college application leadership skills

Are you looking to kickstart your journey to becoming a leader? Here’s a guide for learning more about leadership and developing strategies to change the world—or at least get started.

* As part of our ongoing work to #ReThinkHighSchool and prepare our students for the 21st century, we decided to create a series of long-form posts that seek to elucidate the college and career process for high school students. In the first installment of this series, we looked at how to get an internship . We’re here this week with more advice from college students in the XQ network—check out this post to learn how to develop leadership skills in high school. 

Leadership. Take a second and think about leaders you admire. They may be teachers, other students, celebrities, or elected officials. Once you have them in your mind, close your eyes, and ask yourself:

  • What makes these people good leaders?
  • What about them inspires you to follow their lead?
  • How can you use their stories to inspire yours?

Now open your eyes, and look in the mirror. You can be a leader, too. Keep reading to see exactly how to become the leader you want to be.

What Is leadership?

Leadership doesn’t look the same every time. In fact, it rarely does. You’re probably familiar with many examples of famous leaders from history books, the news, your community, etc. We remember these leaders for their accomplishments. And sometimes we remember leaders for their failures.

Effective leadership is not unique to iconic figures like Martin Luther King Jr. or Mahatma Gandhi, who paved the way for a better tomorrow. For instance, when I think of leaders and leadership, I also think of nurses who work tirelessly to care for our sick and elderly, artists who lend their creativity to challenge the way we think, and community members who stand up to protest for social change. Leaders help foster new ideas and growth within their communities. The truth is that there’s a leader in each of us.

But let’s start by breaking down the idea of leadership. On its most basic level, leadership is defined as the capacity to lead and generate a following.

The definition of leadership speaks to its core sentiment and tells us that you don’t need a fancy title to be considered a leader. You don’t have to be the student body president to be a leader at your school. You just need to be someone who cares about a cause enough to ask others to join you.

But what does effective leadership look like? Y Combinator —one of the top startup incubators in the country that funds companies like Airbnb, Dropbox, and Reddit— summarizes foundational characteristics all great leaders have in common:

  • Great leaders have exceptional communication skills, which enables them to share their vision of the future with others.
  • They are able to motivate others to get on board and work hard to achieve communal goals.
  • Great leaders embody a mission beyond themselves and refrain from letting their ego get in the way.
  • They are good listeners, who are willing to respond to feedback from others and admit when they’ve made a mistake. Their eagerness to learn and commitment to continuous improvement fuels their productivity.

To clarify, sticking to your mission does not mean being inflexible to change. Great leaders are those who adapt to the environment and the changing needs of their stakeholders. In fact, great leaders need to be open and willing to change.

Sticking to the status quo lends itself to vulnerability. Change is inevitable. So, we can sit back and wait or we can be proactive and stand up to disrupt the status quo.

The Importance of Developing Leadership Skills for 21st Century Learners

Taking on a leadership role is a great opportunity to build real-world skills.

Building out human skills is essential to this historical moment. We are in the midst of the fourth industrial revolutio n. Traditional manufacturing and industrial practices are now obsolete as companies look to optimize efficiency and minimize labor costs through smart technology like artificial intelligence and machine learning . Given this shift in the nature of work, it’s becoming even more important to build and expand your repertoire of skills .

Harvard Business Review experts say the shift to AI enhances the need for real-world, soft skills “such as humility, adaptability, vision, and constant engagement.” These skills are more challenging to quantify on your transcript. There is no clear way to measure someone’s ability to adapt. Nonetheless, the aforementioned soft skills are undeniably applicable to work and social environments.

In addition to adapting to work opportunities in the 21st century, soft skills like leadership are important in the college application process. When applying to college in a saturated group of students, it’s essential to make yourself stand out with more than just your grades. Building out your leadership portfolio is a great way to distinguish yourself from other candidates. There is no one best application, so it’s up to you to paint your story.

One best practice to boost your portfolio is to take an active role in a club or organization. It’s a great way to concretely demonstrate your commitment. But, you also have to “talk the talk.” Forbes experts suggest that good communication is one of the best ways to build your “leadership brand.” That means speaking up about the causes you care about and taking action to find solutions.

No matter your interest, getting involved as a leader allows you to discover where you thrive and where you need to improve. That’s why it’s so important as a leader to develop a growth mindset . In fact, Harvard experts say adopting a growth mindset is crucial to becoming an effective leader. Someone with a growth mindset believes that there is no limit to personal development.

college application leadership skills

“Students who have a growth mindset experience challenges as the way to learn and improve. They learn and achieve at higher levels, even when they start out at the same place as those with fixed mindsets.”

– Michele Cahill Senior Advisor, XQ Institute 

A leadership position is a great way to exercise your strengths and explore your interests. Ask yourself, “ What makes me excited?” Is it volunteering to help others? Serving as the school president? Starting a club? Giving a speech at graduation? Whatever it is, establishing yourself as a leader is a great way to explore your interests on a deeper level.

Leadership Skills and Assets

Time management, goal-setting, communication, decision-making, advocating for and defending a cause, accountability, and networking are all key assets to a great leader.

  • Time management:  A leader must be willing to take on a variety of responsibilities. Holding a leadership position often requires rapid turnarounds. Knowing when to prioritize certain tasks over others can sometimes be a challenge. However, deadlines help to ensure that oneself and others complete tasks in a timely manner. Pro tip: Plan ahead and leave room for unanticipated interruptions. Employ a method for managing your time, such as a calendar or checklist.
  • Goal-Setting:  Leaders set goals to guide their progress. They see problems as opportunities to solve and break up their vision into smaller milestones. They evaluate their progress based on the milestones they’ve reached. And they look for creative and innovative ways to achieve their goals. Pro tip: Set SMART (Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Reasonable, Timely) goals.
  • Communication:  In an era of technological domination, communication takes many forms: speech, text, photography, video, body language, etc. No matter the platform, effective communication is key in spreading your message and generating a following. Pro tip: Share your goals with your network. Remain open and receptive to feedback in order to avoid stagnation. When preparing content, consider your audience. Speak or write using language that your audience will understand. According to Simon Sinek’s Ted Talk , speaking from the inside enables people to rationalize with what you are saying. When seeking to change behavior, you will need a little more buy-in than facts and statistics.
  • Decision-making:  While leadership and power are not one and the same, leaders often have the power to make decisions that affect a variety of stakeholders. Each day, we make decisions—many of these decisions are inconsequential. Yet, over time, these decisions come together to contribute to the big-picture vision. Pro tip: Listen to the voices of your stakeholders and consider the impact of your decisions. Before jumping to any quick decisions, make sure you understand the whole story. So, while each decision may not seem to matter at the moment, make each decision count and be ready to defend it or develop a plan to make amendments.
  • Advocating for or Defending a Cause:  Leaders frequently play a role in advocating for a cause or defending a decision. They have the opportunity to go against the grain and speak up for marginalized voices. Pro tip: Whatever your decision, consider the facts and utilize evidence in making your claims. And do it with conviction!
  • Accountability:  Using a system of checks and balances can help maintain the accountability necessary to achieve your goals successfully. And when something goes wrong, you can provide appropriate feedback and make improvements for your next move. Pro tip: Make sure you establish a system of accountability for yourself and your team. And be consistent. Hold yourself to the same standards as your teammates. Evaluate your progress towards your goals on a regular basis.
  • Networking:   Networking is a skill that will be important throughout your leadership journey. But, when you’re just getting started, it is especially important. Your network is your team of supporters and advocates. Once you have a team of supporters, your personal progress will become a joint mission. Social connections are tools that you can use to navigate through difficult situations. When you encounter a challenge, it’s likely that others have experienced that same challenge. They may have advice or be able to offer the best practices they employed while navigating through that challenge. Join the conversation about how to network on Rethink Together . Pro tip: Research topics that excite you. Find out who the experts are in the field. Who are the people and organizations doing similar work in your area? Call them or send them a message to express your interest in the material and let them know you would like to connect.

Mastering these skills is fundamental to becoming a resilient leader. Despite the level of distinction among these skills, they work best when you align them as part of a coherent framework. Leadership experts Michael Fullan and Lyle Kirtman dive deeper into the subject in their book, “ Coherent Leadership: Forging Clarity from Complexity .” It outlines characteristics of effective leaders:

The Faces of Student Leadership

It may seem that some people were born to be leaders. Many of those, though, had to face a number of challenges along the way. You may have heard the stories of students like Malala Yousafzi, Greta Thurnberg, and others. Malala seeks gender equity and Greta gives a voice to the planet.

These students noticed an issue they cared about and worked hard to address it by creating the change they wanted to see in the world.

Meet Student Leaders Across the Country

  • Alliyah Logan is a youth advocate from the Bronx. She amplifies the voices of Black, Brown, and Indigenous people in her community, especially the voices of those impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Check out her blog post to read more about how she’s using her voice to make a change.
  • Josh Stern is a writer and activist from New York City. He uses his voice to advocate for and break down biases about students with disabilities. Check out his blog to learn more about his take on how to best support students with disabilities like himself during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
  • Grace Nesbitt is a public figure on Instagram who uses her own battle with mental illness to inspire others to love themselves for who they are. Check out her blog post to learn more about her 7-year journey toward embracing herself and building confidence.
  • Jerome Foster II is a climate activist, the founder of the Climate Reporter , and a former intern for the late Representative John Lewis —and these are only a few of his accomplishments, all before graduating high school. Check out his feature as one of the four Changemakers of Tomorrow for GapKids’ “BE THE FUTURE” Campaign.

Leadership Activities for High School Students

Here are ideas from Positive Psychology for getting involved as a leader in your school and community:

  • Participate in student government
  • Join or start a club
  • Get involved in sports teams or other after-school activities
  • Find volunteering opportunities
  • Get an internship
  • Complete a passion project

Want to do good in the world and inspire people? That’s the first step to joining the next generation of leaders. As a young leader, you bring unique, new ideas. Your fresh perspective is a toolkit for change. Let your dreams guide you.

Developing strong leadership skills will not only enhance your role as a member of society but will also help improve your ability to make a difference in your own life and the lives of others. Once you develop the skills necessary to lead, you can apply them however you want. Try looking to the XQ Learner Goals as a guide to develop leadership skills:

  • Become a master of fundamental literacies
  • Learn foundational knowledge
  • Be an original thinker in an uncertain world
  • Be a generous collaborator
  • Commit to being a learner for life

Strategies and Activities for Becoming a Student Leader

Start by defining your purpose . 

Part of the leadership journey is exploring your driving forces. Here are a few steps you can take to help define your purpose:

  • Explore what motivates you and what you would like to do or change.
  • While you develop your vision, look into areas of need.
  • Find out where you feel most connected and explore your role in meeting those needs.
  • Define your aspirations and devise an agenda to get started.
“Ask yourself what do I need or want to come out of this situation, and does that seem reasonable and attainable ?” — Nicole Smith

A clear purpose is the foundation you need to inspire people to do good and create positive outcomes. No matter how big your dream is, keep your vision in front of you. Let your “ why” guide you. Draw on your own experiences. Dive deep into topics you find interesting. And that passion will drive your behavior and propel you forward toward reaching your goals.

Develop Your Leadership Skills Through Activities and Practice

Build Your Team

Imagine how much you can achieve when you have the collective capacity of a group of individuals who share your vision. Having a team does not mean each member needs to agree at all times. But it’s important that your teammates share similar grounding principles; make sure the “ why” behind your work aligns.  

Each team member has a set of experiences that they bring to the table. Remember that diverse perspectives bring diverse solutions to the table. The best teammates are those who complement your skill set and fill in the gaps in your expertise.

As a leader, it may feel that there is a lot of pressure to have everything under control. Take time to reflect on your own self-awareness to ensure you are tending to your own needs. Also, feel free to ask for help. Mentors are great resources for sharing your reflections, holding you accountable, and empowering you to meet your goals. Building a relationship with a mentor can also provide opportunities for self-improvement to help you grow.

Embrace Challenges

When you are first getting involved in a new project, it can be easy to let the fear of rejection or failure get you down. Don’t give up! In fact, some of the greatest leaders are successful because they embraced failure and used what they learned to improve in future endeavors.

Ever heard of Elon Musk ? Not only is he the mastermind behind companies like PayPal, Tesla, and SpaceX, but he’s also an expert in the field of failure. When he started Paypal, critics rated it one of the 10 worst business concepts. The first and second rockets he launched exploded. The third severely failed. People didn’t believe in him. At one point, Musk even confessed that the Tesla Roadster was a disaster.

Being a leader also means learning how to cope with failure and how to persevere—no matter what people say. The first step is to believe in yourself. Then utilize your team to help work toward your shared goal.

Set Up a Campaign

If you’re seeking to pursue a specific goal, you will likely need the support of others to make it happen. That’s why creating a campaign is a helpful tool for leaders to raise awareness and build support for their cause.

In the words of Simon Sinek , “If you don’t know why you do what you do, and people respond to why you do what you do, then how will you ever get people to vote for you, or buy something from you, or, more importantly, be loyal and want to be a part of what it is that you do.” 

Here are some tips to set up your campaign:

  • Raise awareness Be clear about the issues you want to address and why. Put up posters, post on social media, give a speech in front of a group. Get people talking. Word-of-mouth advertising is free and a great way to spread excitement and generate involvement for your project.
  • Identify your audience If you want to be a leader, it’s important to develop a trusting relationship with the people you seek to lead. You’ll want to figure out who your primary audience is. Get to know the needs of your audience and let them know how you intend to meet their needs.
  • Tell your story Share your story and communicate your morals and values with your audience. Even if you can’t connect with them in person, use technology and social media to form those relationships. For inspiration, check out how Roxie Richner , an organizer, storyteller, and student, tells her story on her website .
  • Ask for feedback Engage in conversations with your audience to ensure they understand what you are trying to communicate. Pay attention to how your audience reacts to your messages. Most importantly, ask your network how you can improve so that you can discover different ways to reach your goals and overcome challenges.
  • Keep it professional As a leader, you are a public figure. When speaking up about a particular topic, everything you say or post or share will be a part of your personal brand. So, be mindful of how others will perceive your messages. Choose your language wisely with a deep consideration for your audience and the broader community.

What’s Next?

Ready to take the big leap to embark on your leadership journey?

If you haven’t found your spark or passion yet, the best way to figure it out is to engage in and explore as many opportunities as possible. Reach out to people who you admire. Ask questions. Conduct a mini-interview.

Here are some sample interview questions to help you get started:

  • How did you get to where you are today?
  • What are some challenges you have faced? And how did you overcome them?
  • Who did you look up to when you were my age?

Once you establish yourself as a leader, keep in touch with your mentor and network. The scope of networking is boundless. Ask your parents, teachers, and peers to connect you with people they know! Stay in touch with your teachers from high school even after you graduate. You never know when you may need to ask for letters of recommendation along the way. Many great leaders have earned their positions by reaching out to mentors in their own communities.

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Army and Navy Academy

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How to Make your College Application Stand Out with Leadership Experience

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Leadership experiences offer a transformative experience for teenagers and also serve as a great way to enhance college applications. Leadership experience can be acquired through student government positions, leadership training classes, after-school leadership activities, and summer leadership programs.

To gain an in-depth understanding of how leadership experiences can have an impact on college applications, we will focus on a specific boarding school in California . This private school offers leadership experiences during both the academic school year as well as during the summer.

Inspired by World Class Leadership Training Practices 

Army and Navy Academy, an all boys school for grades 7-12, offers in-depth leadership experiences through their associated student body (ASB), leadership education training (LET) classes, and a rigorous mental and physical leadership selection process. These types of leadership experiences showcase a student’s ability to lead and follow, work in teams, and motivate oneself and others. These are the kinds of life skills and character attributes college admission readers look for when reviewing college applications.

Because leadership is a critical cornerstone to both the academic year as well as their summer program, the Academy is ranked as one of the best military boarding schools .

Whether you plan to apply to the Ivy League, public or private colleges, military service academies or ROTC universities, this stellar West Point style leadership program at Army and Navy Academy makes college applications stand out.

College Admission Readers Look for Leadership Experience 

More and more, college admission readers are looking for leadership experiences on applications and in college essays.

The Academy’s college matriculation list is a testament to the college preparation and kinds of leadership skills acquired while attending Army and Navy Academy for school or summer programs. Do you have the following leadership skills and character attributes?

  • Skill building. Colleges want students who take the lead in their lives and have the leadership skills to do so. The Academy’s leadership education training program and summer leadership experiences promote specific leadership and management skills, as well as character development through training classes and activities. Leadership experience examples on college applications include any leadership roles or positions involving: teamwork, time management, project management, problem-solving, and communication skills.
  • Self-sufficiency. With the college freshman drop-out rate rising, it is no wonder that colleges are looking for students who are self-sufficient. Students and campers at the Academy learn how to make decisions, take responsibility and set goals that reinforce a strong sense of independence and resiliency. They learn to set and follow daily schedules and become highly independent and self-sufficient. Leadership requires independent thinking and action.
  • Self-discovery. Colleges seek out students with career goals and life experiences that demonstrate leadership. The Academy offers a number of leadership experiences through their leadership education training (LET) in conjunction with junior reserve officers’ training course (JROTC) . Academic electives and summer tracks allow students to pursue career-oriented passions involving leadership in career-oriented areas such as: aviation/drones, science, business/entrepreneurship and computer science.
  • Physical Activity. Colleges and universities are interested in student leaders who model good fitness and can potentially serve as team captains in various sports. The Academy provides many high-challenge, high-reward physical activities, athletics, and beachfront activities. Leaders need to model fitness and teamwork.
  • Character Development. Colleges and universities seek out student leaders with core values and expect compliance with their honor code. Modeling positive character traits, the goal at the Academy is to help teens learn the fundamentals of good citizenship, honor, integrity, and selfless service.
  • Building Friendships. College admission readers look for students who can take the lead in forming friendships and building a sense of community. At the Academy’s boarding school and during their summer camps, teenagers learn how to relate with their peers from diverse backgrounds and make lasting bonds.
  • Fun and Adventure. Colleges pursue applicants who are willing to face new challenges. Leadership experiences should be both fun, but also quite challenging. Students need to try new things and test their mettle during adventure-based training.
  • Mentorship and Support. Colleges require students to seek out mentorship and support, even if they are top leaders. The Academy employs well-trained faculty and staff to create a supportive and safe environment year-round. Leaders know how to ask for help.
  • Structure and Motivation. One of the biggest benefits at Army and Navy Academy is the structured daily schedule and the many leadership activities to ramp up motivation and self-discipline. At the college level, student leaders must set goals, manage their time effectively, and keep themselves motivated.
  • JROTC* Credit. If a high school student intends to apply to West Point or one of the service academies or an ROTC university, attending the Academy can provide a competitive edge. Note: Campers completing two subsequent summers of JROTC Leadership camp at Army and Navy Academy will receive academic credit for a year of JROTC education.*

High School Leadership Experiences 

There are a number of ways to gain leadership experiences as mentioned earlier, so we will provide more detail on each one.

  • Run for Student Government Positions – Run for student government positions and serve in one of the key positions.
  • Participate in a JROTC Program – JROTC, to clarify, is to create good citizens and does not promote, nor require military enlistment . By contrast, “ROTC” is for college or university students who wish to serve in the military.
  • Learn from Top Leaders – Learn from the best and seek out mentors. Closely modeled and inspired by world-class practices employed by top leaders in various industries, as well as by the U.S. Military Academy at West Point , Army and Navy Academy also seeks inspiration from the U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Coast Guard Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.
  • Attend a Summer Leadership Camp – A summer leadership experience can help set an applicant apart when applying to colleges and universities, as well as ROTC universities and the service academies.

Learn More About Leadership Experiences 

To learn more about the Army and Navy Academy’s leadership programs. feel free to reach out and schedule a campus tour.

  • Location: Conveniently located on a 14 acre beachfront campus in the quaint village of Carlsbad, California near local airports and transit.
  • Grade Levels: Academic Year (all boys, grades 7-12). Summer Programs (coed, campers entering grades 7-12/ ages 11-17). Leadership experiences for elementary students are available if your child is an 11 year-old or 12 year-old (entering grade 7 or 8).
  • Boarding or Day Options: The Academy offers both boarding and day options. For the summer, campers may register for either the residential (aka sleepaway camp and overnight camp) or the day option.
  • Apply for Summer and Fall: The Academy reserves a limited number of spaces so campers may apply for the academic year if they elect to do so. Please contact the Admission Office for details.

Questions? Feel free to call now: 760.547.5207 or 760.547.5288

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Extracurriculars.

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Your Resume, Revamped: Securing Leadership Positions and Perfecting your Extracurricular Profile

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Do you have a plan for applying to college?

With our free chancing engine, admissions timeline, and personalized recommendations, our free guidance platform gives you a clear idea of what you need to be doing right now and in the future.

If there’s one thing you should take away from reading our previous blog posts on extracurriculars , it’s that the quality of your activities should trump quantity. But what exactly defines a “quality” extracurricular? And what steps can you take to turn a low-commitment extracurricular into a stunning addition to your resume ? Check out our guide to cinching leadership roles in your extracurriculars that will take your application to the next level.

If you’re looking to get more help with your college applications at every step of the process, take a look at our College Applications Guidance Program . We’ll pair you with your own personal Admissions Specialist who will walk you through a comprehensive, step-by-step process that will help you succeed in the admissions process.

In this blog post, we’ll talk specifically about how to improve your application by advancing to leadership positions in activities in which you’re already involved to some degree. For example, if you’re part of your school’s debate team, but don’t always make it to the practices or competitions, your participation likely won’t make a very valuable addition to your application. However, a leadership role on the team can make a big difference. It shows dedication, commitment, talent, and those indefinable leadership skills that colleges always claim they’re seeking in applicants.

If you have a few extracurricular activities in which you’re involved, but not particularly dedicated, your application won’t be the best it can be. Read on for tips on how to turn these activities into impressive leadership roles that will catch the attention of admissions committees.

Extracurriculars and Leadership Role Tips

This seems like a no-brainer, but can be a little tricky to execute. In order to really be successful in an extracurricular activity, you need to make it a priority. If you’re not fully committed to an activity, it’ll be first on the chopping block when your schedule fills up .

W ith your science project due Thursday and big soccer game on Saturday, for example, it looks like you’ll need to skip Science Olympiad this week. That’s all well and good if you’re just looking for a participation award, but if you want to excel or add a leadership position to your application, you need to put the activity on the same level as your other commitments, your social life, and even academics in some cases.

Of course, you should only prioritize activities within reason; we’re not advising you to abandon all your homework assignments and social engagements to dedicate yourself to writing the best expository speech in Earth’s history for your speech team. However, if you want to succeed, the activity has to be more than an after-school time filler.

Take initiative

If you want to demonstrate to your coach, team captain, or club advisor that you’re really interested in a leadership role, you need to do more than just show up. Going above and beyond by organizing meetings, extra practices, or new projects can show you have the passion and capability to be an effective leader.

Though it can feel awkward to set up an extra practice or propose a fundraising project if you’re not already in a leadership role, chances are those in charge will see your initiative as a sign of promise, not as an imposition.

college application leadership skills

If the team captain, club president, or staff advisor is directly responsible for selecting students for leadership positions, don’t be afraid to introduce yourself (if you aren’t already acquainted) and let them know you’re interested in a leadership position.

You can also ask those already in leadership positions about their responsibilities and experiences in the role. Doing so will demonstrate that you’re genuinely interested in the position on its own merit, and not just as an addition to your resume. In general, it doesn’t hurt to establish a relationship with the person in charge of appointing leaders; they’re more likely to go with someone they know than someone who hasn’t even taken the time to introduce themselves.

If leadership positions are elected, rather than appointed, make an effort to get to know your electorate. Don’t just hang back during meetings or practices and hope people will come to you. Establish yourself as a friendly, outgoing individual that your peers can approach for help, feedback, or even just a chat. Developing a rapport with your teammates or fellow club members can make a big difference come elections season — years of political science studies tell us people vote with their guts, not their brains, and being well-liked is often the key to success.

It’s common knowledge that colleges aren’t just looking for sharp students: they want the best and brightest minds that will go on to be pioneers of their fields, and a big part of being successful is having leadership skills.

Rising through the ranks of your academic or athletic team, club, or service organization will not only help you develop the social skills that will enable you to be successful in college and beyond, but also allow you to clearly and effectively demonstrate these skills to admissions committees. Acquiring leadership positions can take your application from good to great — follow our guide, and you’ll be on top in no time!

For more about extracurriculars ideas, check out these great CollegeVine posts:

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  • A Guide to Extracurricular Activities: Grade 11
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  • Extracurriculars for the Prospective BS/MD Student
  • Extracurricular Ideas for the Aspiring Journalist
  • How To Become President of Your High School Club    
  • Demonstrating Leadership as a High School Sports Captain
  • How to Start a Club in High School
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  • A Beginner’s Guide to Starting Your Own Business In High School

Looking for help navigating the road to college as a high school student? Download our  free guide for 9th graders  and our  free guide for 10th graders . Our guides go in-depth about subjects ranging from  academics ,  choosing courses ,  standardized tests ,  extracurricular activities ,  and much more !

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Dr. Jennifer B. Bernstein

Dr. Jennifer B. Bernstein

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College admissions officers and scholarship committees care about your leadership experience.

A quick look at the “Admissions” page of almost any college will reveal this fact, but let’s check out a few examples:

Princeton emphasizes that they’re looking “for students who make a difference in their schools and communities” and encourages you to tell them “about your leadership activities, interests, special skills and other extracurricular involvements.”

Duke provides a list of “Key Characteristics We Seek” to let you know they’re interested in students who have a strong “sense of engagement—with ideas, with other people, with a community” and have “the ability and desire to make a difference.”

Six of my students were accepted to Princeton and Duke during the 2014-2015 admissions cycle. They all had strong, exciting track records in these categories as well as excellent grades and standardized test scores.

Scholarship committees are also quite explicit about the role that leadership plays in the selection process.

The University of Southern California points out that the selection criteria for their full-tuition Trustee Scholarships “include academic excellence, leadership, and community service.”

Likewise, the Egleston Scholars Program at Columbia’s Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science is looking “to educate socially responsible engineering and applied science leaders whose work results in the betterment of the human condition, locally, nationally, and globally.” The students accepted into this program “comprise the top one percent of Columbia Engineering applicants” and receive significant support from the school (including a stipend).

Two of my students who earned these scholarships had truly meaningful leadership experience in these fields.

I just picked a few colleges to illuminate my point, but I encourage you to see what your reach, match, and safety schools have to say about the role that leadership plays in their admission and scholarship processes.

Now let’s consider  what constitutes true leadership ,  how you can develop leadership experience  in high school, and  where you should talk about leadership in your college applications .

WHAT IS LEADERSHIP?

Let’s get back to basics by considering the traditional definition of leadership.

The dictionary tells us that leading involves directing “the operations, activity, or performance” of something. It’s about being in charge.

But just being in charge of other people— just being president of your class or vice president of a club—isn’t what matters .

We need to expand our sense of what constitutes leadership.

In College Admissions for the 21st Century , Robert J. Sternberg (former Dean of Arts and Sciences at Tufts) defines leadership “not in the sense of achieving a level of authority, but rather as making a positive, meaningful, and hopefully enduring difference to the world at some level.”

So there’s a close connection between leading and serving.

The reality is that lots of students have leadership titles but aren’t true leaders. They haven’t made a real difference in the lives of students at their schools or in their clubs. They haven’t helped solve a pressing problem in their school, community, region, or country.

HOW CAN YOU DEVELOP YOUR LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE?

1. Get my free presentation on leadership and initiative , which provides you with step-by-step guidance on what you can be doing in 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade and grants you access to a case study of a student leader. I share with you so much more than I can here in a blog post.

2. Think outside the box. You don’t always need to have a leadership title to be a leader.

Let’s say that you’re interested in biomedical engineering and came across Limbitless Solutions , a “non-profit organization devoted to building a generation of innovators who use their skills and passion to improve the world around them,” mainly by “using additive manufacturing to advance personalized bionics and solutions for disabilities.” This group believes that “no family should have to pay for their child to receive an arm.”

Some of my students have started their own non-profit organizations, which is great. But you can also contribute to existing projects. You might want to lead a fundraising campaign at your school or in your community to help raise funds for Limbitless.

3. Learn about some of the problems facing students at your school or people in your community .

Choose a problem that you really care about solving, come up with a few specific and realistic things you can do to help solve the problem, and form a team of people who will help you reach your goal. Some of my students—like the one who was accepted into the Egleston Scholars Program at Columbia—connect their leadership and service projects to their specific academic interests.

Here’s a great example of a leadership and community service project that was started by one of the students in my daughter’s school district. Operation Soap Dish , which “provides toiletry and household cleaning supplies to people in need,” has “collected/distributed over 30,000 items valued at $75,000,” and their “campaign to increase awareness for the need for toiletry and household cleaning items has reached over 200,000 people within the United States, Canada, and Israel.” On their website, they have tips on how you can start your own collection drive.

4. Read about the inspiring projects of teen leaders to get your creative juices pumping . Click here to read about Sanah Jivani who launched the Natural Day movement .

5. Learn about leadership skills and characteristics . Check out Simon Sinek’s “How Great Leaders Inspire Action.” Read articles about leadership in Fast Company and the Harvard Business Review .

WHERE SHOULD YOU TALK ABOUT LEADERSHIP IN YOUR COLLEGE APPLICATION?

It’s not enough to just have the kinds of leadership experiences that I’ve been addressing here in this post. It’s not enough to just list your experiences in the “Activities” section of the Common App.

Admissions officers want you to give them behind-the-scenes access to specific experiences and your perspectives on them.

The main Common Application essay is one great place to address how. . .

  • You helped solve (or want to help solve) a particular problem
  • Your leadership experience caused you to question or challenge a belief or idea
  • You “faced a challenge, setback, or failure ” in your process of leading
  • One of your leadership projects is connected to “an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others”

Remember, you don’t want to just describe the external experience. You want to strike just the right balance between external and internal details.

You might also want to consider adding details about your leadership in the Additional Information section of the Common Application.

Schedule a consultation with me if you want help coming up with leadership projects that are directly related to your interests, developing action plans, or writing about your leadership experience in your college application essays.

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college application leadership skills

Why Are American Colleges Obsessed With 'Leadership'?

What's wrong with being a follower? Or a lone wolf?

college application leadership skills

Earlier this month, more than 700,000 students submitted the Common Application for college admissions. They sent along academic transcripts and SAT scores, along with attestations of athletic or artistic success and—largely uniform—bodies of evidence speaking to more nebulously-defined characteristics: qualities like— to quote the Harvard admissions website—“maturity, character, leadership, self-confidence, warmth of personality, sense of humor, energy, concern for others and grace under pressure.”

Why are American colleges so interested in leadership? On the Harvard admissions website quoted above, leadership is listed third: just after two more self-evident qualities. So too the Yale website, which quotes former Yale president Kingman Brewster's assessment that “We have to make the hunchy judgment as to whether or not with Yale’s help the candidate is likely to be a leader in whatever he [or she] ends up doing.” Our goals remain the same today” before going on to stress that “We are looking for students we can help to become the leaders of their generation in whatever they wish to pursue.”

The language of Princeton dean Janet Lavin Rapeleye in The New York Times is strikingly similar : “We look for qualities that will help [students] become leaders in their fields and in their communities.” (So too Princeton's admissions website, which lists leadership prominently in its section on extracurriculars: “We look for students who make a difference in their schools and communities, so tell us about your leadership activities, interests, special skills and other extracurricular involvements.”) In his study The Gatekeepers, Jacques Steinberg describes how the admissions officers at Wesleyan scored the “personal” section of an applicant's portfolio: “A 9 [out of 9] at Wesleyan...someone 'sure to “have significant impact on campus in leadership roles”; a 7 or 6 would be assigned to someone who was “likely to be a leader in some areas, contributor to many.”

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Leadership alone rarely makes or breaks an application, says Emmi Harward, director of college counseling at The Bishop's School in La Jolla, California and the Executive Director of the Association College Counselors in Independent Schools. But, she says, “Not only does leadership distinguish a student in a competitive applicant pool from other students ([compare] a student body president to someone who has spent four years just going home and doing their homework) but also serves to foreshadow the impact the student could make on the college/university campus, and the potential impact they could make once they graduate.”

It's possible, of course, to understand “leadership,” as conceived in the college admissions process, as a broad church of qualities: encompassing a whole host of attributes desirable in bright, motivated teenagers. But its rhetorical prevalence bears investigating. The tacit assumption is that leadership, like “maturity” or “concern for others,” needs no qualification or explanation; it is not only de facto desirable, but indeed essential. To be a “contributor,” to use Wesleyan's parlance, to a chess club is to be merely average; to be president of that chess club, by contrast, is to display some intangible merit.

But such an assumption is hardly universal. To be a natural leader, after all, (or even, to use Harvard's list of desirable qualities, a “self-confident leader”), is to eschew other potential roles: that of a “natural follower,” a “natural team player,” a “natural lone wolf.” And each of these, in other cultural contexts, might be seen as equally, if not more desirable. As Lan Liu, author of Beyond the American Model , puts it in a piece for the Harvard Business Review , “Leadership is culture-specific. Unfortunately, this theme has been unduly overshadowed by the bias, which is often an American one, toward the pursuit of a universal model of leadership.”

Rather, there is something quintessentially American about the system advocated by former Dean of Arts and Sciences at Tufts University Robert J. Sternberg in his book College Admissions for the 21st Century: a system in which “students should be admitted to college on the basis of their potential for future leadership and active citizenship, at whatever level of society.” While Sternberg makes sure to tell us that he defines leadership “not in the sense of achieving a level of authority, but rather as making a positive, meaningful, and hopefully enduring difference to the world at some level,” his assumption is that those worthy of admission at elite colleges are not simply good scholars, or even good workers, but rather those who will take initiative, those who will be pioneers in their fields, those who will—implicitly—manage those others who are not.

It is no surprise that Sternberg's book often runs into the language of business: he writes of how “talking to a high-level executive at a major investment bank, I mentioned our desire to enhance admissions at Tufts University. His response....was that tests like the SAT and the ACT, as well as college grades, predicted quite well who would be good analysts...What they did not predict as well was who would be able to take the next step—who would have the capacity to envision where various markets are going.” Sternberg then goes on to discuss his fund-raising efforts, which involved meeting “some of the most successful alumni of Tufts, as measured not only by their financial resources (and, hence, giving capacity) but also by the contributions they have made to society.” While Sternberg's caveats are doubtless made in good faith, the parameters he sets up implicitly reward “leadership” as conceived, quite straightforwardly, as managerial: artists and doctoral students in the humanities, no matter how “successful” in their fields, do not tend to congregate at fund-raising appeals.

William Deresiewicz, in The American Scholar , may be too cynical when he writes , “That is exactly what places like Yale mean when they talk about training leaders. Educating people who make a big name for themselves in the world, people with impressive titles, people the university can brag about. People who make it to the top. People who can climb the greasy pole of whatever hierarchy they decide to attach themselves to.” But it's certainly true that the kind of qualities we think about when we think about “leadership” do lend themselves naturally to hierarchical ascent.

By contrast, at my English alma mater, Oxford, the ideal student is not a leader but a lone wolf, something reinforced at every point in the undergraduate process. Tuition takes the form of one-on-one “tutorials” with professors. The admissions process consists of interview by mock-tutorial with one's prospective future tutors, who also make admissions decisions. Once on the course itself, students are assessed entirely on their capacity for independent research. There are no classroom grades but merely marks on end-of-course examinations, anonymously graded. “Leadership”, and the qualities it is meant to entail, hardly enters into the equation. What is valued is not the contribution I make “to the world” at large, nor even the contribution I make to the life of the campus or to my fellow students. Rather, it’s the quality of the work I do on the course (which is to say, the level of my marks) and, as I make my way towards a doctorate, the contribution I make to my tiny, somewhat esoteric field.

Yet such insularity seems at odds with the rhetoric of the American educational institution. To be a “lone wolf,” to simply “go home and do their homework,” is to neglect, in some sense, a vital component of the educational experience. Harward and Sternberg alike stress the importance of “impact.” A desirable student is expected to do more than merely learn effectively, to further the transmission of knowledge from professor to student. They're expected to go further: to take an active role in the classroom, as Harward notes, “contributing ideas that sparked discussion or encouraging a quieter member of the class to offer up their thoughts.”

It would be a stretch to accuse several of America's best educational institutions of anti-intellectualism. But the implicit message behind the rhetoric of leadership in the American college admissions is that intellectualism alone is not enough, even for an academic institution. Simply learning for learning's sake is not enough. In this paradigm, there is something suspect—even selfish—about a “lone wolf” prospective student that stores up knowledge, like a dragon hoarding treasure. For all that is made of the American tradition of “rugged individualism,” American culture is less welcoming to those who neither lead nor follow but simply opt out altogether.

There is much to be said for the benefits of valuing this kind of leadership among students. A case can be made that the pure-academics approach of many continental and European universities, which encourages and rewards independence, also fosters a degree of isolation. Students are not encouraged, at any institutional level to collaborate, to gain managerial skills, to learn to follow or lead. And the valuation and fostering of leadership can be especially vital for groups of people who have not historically had the opportunity so to do – many women's colleges, for example, highlight the value of seeing women in leadership positions on campus.

But it's worth investigating the assumption that to be a “good leader” and to be a “desirable student” are the same thing. In valorizing “leadership” as a quality, we risk overlooking other—less obvious—qualities, something Harward concedes could use more discussion. “We do need good followers, and I think that aspect of leadership is something that we should talk about more,” she says. “What good is any leader if they alienate those around them or don't empower them to lead themselves? And does the focus on leadership imply that a student who embraces the life of the mind and a specific intellectual interest to the fullest isn't leading in some equally compelling way?” Certainly, it's worth asking if assumptions about “leadership,” culturally-specific and quintessentially American as they are, penalize candidates from different cultural backgrounds, where leadership—particularly among adolescents—might take different forms, or be discouraged altogether.

College admissions has come a long way in recognizing how candidates from different backgrounds and different levels of opportunity might present themselves differently. At its best, the holistic admissions process allows admissions officers to assess test scores and grades in context. But so too it’s worth looking at the context of the personal qualities admissions officers value. Do we need a graduating class full of leaders? Or should schools actively seek out diversity in interpersonal approaches—as they do in everything else?

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college application leadership skills

Leadership Experience: The Missing Piece in College Applications

September 27, 2023

college application leadership skills

What does leadership really mean to schools and how can your student successfully prove these qualities in their college applications?

When it comes to leadership, top universities are not simply looking for students who hold impressive titles or positions. Instead, they seek individuals who have demonstrated genuine passion, initiative, and the ability to make a difference. Today, we had the privilege of speaking with Maya Gobert, our Director of Leadership and Innovation, who revealed strategies on the importance of framing leadership as the centerpiece of a college application. 

She revealed that admissions officers want to see evidence of leadership qualities through meaningful involvement and impact -- which can include taking the lead in organizing events or projects, initiating positive change within their school or community, or even serving as a mentor to their peers. It is not about the quantity of leadership experiences, but rather the quality and depth of the impact made.

Through this episode, you will learn what top universities are looking for in terms of leadership and understand how to effectively showcase leadership skills -- which in turn, would increase your student's chances of gaining admission to their dream school.

Click here to listen on Apple Podcasts. Click here to listen on Spotify. 

In This Episode, We Cover:

  • Why leadership experience is the missing key in college admissions
  • What top universities are looking for in applicants in terms of "leadership"
  • How your high school student can differentiate themselves when applying to top-ranked schools using this unique leadership opportunity
  • ...and so much more!

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The Admissions Strategist

7 ways to boost leadership skills in college.

College is about far more than attending classes and earning a degree; it’s also about developing the leadership skills needed to be successful in the workforce, and in life.

  • One of these skills is leadership, and there are numerous opportunities to become a stronger, more effective leader in college.

Many of the skills of a great leader, such as confidence, communication, teamwork, and problem-solving, can be practiced extensively in college.

If you want to graduate ready to lead confidently and effectively, here are seven ways to boost leadership skills in college.

1. Volunteer in the community.

In college, opportunities to volunteer and participate in community service projects are endless.

  • There are clubs exclusively devoted to fundraising or working for specific charities, and giving back to the community is a cornerstone of most sororities and fraternities.

Many classes also require community service or offer students opportunities to volunteer for extra credit.

  • Even if none of these opportunities are presented to you, you can easily ask around and find a variety of ways to help around the community.

These projects can include raising money for disaster relief, volunteering in high needs schools, hosting events designed to fundraise for children’s hospitals or other organizations, gathering canned goods or clothing for children in need, building houses in the community, and much more.

  • By volunteering in the community, you will network and interact with people from diverse experiences and backgrounds, a skill that is necessary for any effective leader.

You can also take on a leadership role within the volunteer experience if possible, or simply take the initiative to go above and beyond what’s expected.

Working hard, developing compassion and a positive attitude, and communicating effectively with diverse groups of people will all contribute to making you a better leader.

2. Take classes related to leadership.

Most colleges and universities offer classes directly related to leadership skills, management, and/or communication.

Any of these classes can help you sharpen your leadership abilities.

  • For example, the University of Florida offers a Leadership minor with courses such as Working with People: Interpersonal Leadership Skills, Leadership for Personal and Organizational Change, Communication and Leadership in Groups or Teams, and Global Leadership, as well as electives related to ethics and communications.

Some leadership classes aren’t offered for credit, but this can be a good option if you already have a full-time course load and are looking for an opportunity to fine-tune leadership skills.

Taking leadership courses is probably the easiest, most direct way to brush up on leadership skills.

You can also take related courses, such as public speaking, to address other abilities essential to solid leadership.

3. Become a resident advisor.

Being a Resident Advisor (more commonly known as an RA) is a difficult job, but there are perks such as an individual dorm room, some extra cash, and the fact that the RA life is an excellent crash course in leadership abilities.

Resident Advisors are essentially student leaders in the dorms.

  • Each RA typically oversees one floor of younger students in a dorm building. They are responsible for planning and coordinating events, mediating conflicts, enforcing dorm rules, and working with a team.

Naturally, all of these responsibilities will help you build strong leadership skills.

You’ll have to communicate with your residents, help solve problems, project authority, run meetings, and more—all skills that will certainly come in handy in later leadership roles.

4. Participate in extracurricular activities and/or Greek life.

Extracurricular activities and Greek life  (sororities and fraternities) also offer the chance to take on important leadership roles on campus.

You can be the president or another officer of a club or organization, the captain of a sports team, or an officer or event coordinator in a sorority or fraternity.

  • If you are feeling more ambitious, you can consider running for student government.

These roles will require you to organize, communicate, coordinate, and cooperate in order to do your job effectively.

They will also give you the opportunity to interact with other leaders and watch strong leadership in action.

5. Participate in group projects.

Whether you want to or not, college will likely involve several group projects. You can use these as opportunities to practice excellent leadership skills.

  • While working on the group project, you can help designate roles, organize meetings or exchanges of contact information, take the lead on brainstorming and planning, etc.

The more you communicate with others, take initiative, and practice effective organization, the more confident you will become in your leadership abilities. Although group projects are a sometimes dreaded course requirement, you can use this as another way to boost leadership skills in college.

6. Become an orientation leader.

The vast majority of colleges have programs designed for students to work as Orientation Leaders for incoming students, generally during the summer.

  • These experiences are intense, because you will have to accomplish a lot of work in a short period of time. Of course, the ability to work under pressure is another skill that great leaders must possess.

In addition, you will work with a team, make a difference on campus, and learn to be a more enthusiastic and confident speaker.

Orientation Leaders are often some of the best and brightest on campus, so this also gives you the ability to network and learn from other future leaders.

7. Learn from established leaders.

Speaking of learning from other leaders, college is full of qualified and experienced mentors! You can learn from excellent professors who are leaders in their fields, for example.

  • You can also volunteer or intern with established leaders in the community.

Additionally, colleges typically offer workshops or opportunities to listen to famous and influential speakers.

  • You should take advantage of as many of these opportunities as possible to make the most of your college experience.

Attend workshops, volunteer with effective leaders, work as a T.A. for an especially talented professor, attend talks by motivational speakers and other successful leaders, etc.

Many of these events are covered by tuition, so it makes sense to take full advantage!

  • College is a wonderful chance to learn from some true leadership masters, and you certainly shouldn’t miss out.

If you want to improve your leadership skills, college is the perfect place to do so. You can learn about communication, teamwork, confidence, organization, problem-solving and more through both hands-on experience and contact with skilled and experienced leaders.

Take full advantage of the college experience by using these seven ways to boost leadership in college.

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How To Develop Leadership Skills In High School: 5 Great Examples Of Leadership Activities

How To Develop Leadership Skills In High School: 5 Great Examples Of Leadership Activities

Pursuing and excelling at activities demonstrating your leadership skills can help your college application stand out to admission officers. Now, how exactly do you do that? This post will take you through how to develop your leadership skills and provide examples of leadership activities done by successful college admits.

If you are in the middle of your college application process, or even a few years out, it is likely, that you already know that extracurriculars are an integral part of your college application . But why? The fact is that extracurriculars bring your application to life . They demonstrate to admissions officers what kind of person you are and what kind of contribution you would make to their college community. At Crimson Education , we know that admissions officers are looking for hard-working, creative leaders that will contribute to their community: students that will apply themselves and work toward making their college community a better place. So, what does this mean for your application?

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How to Build Leadership Skills in High School?

First, what does it mean to be a leader? A common misconception is that leaders are always extroverted, loud, and direct. While this is certainly one type of leader, leadership styles are much more nuanced than that. In fact, there are as many types of leaders as there are types of people in this world. Being a successful leader means locating the issues in your community (this could be in your family, at your school, in your neighborhood, city, or country) and applying creative methods to solve that problem.

Another way to look at leadership skills is to think of the skills you already have (coding, sewing, reading etc.) and figure out where or how you can apply them to causes you care about. For example, say you love to draw, and you are interested in supporting a homeless shelter in your neighborhood. Well, you could illustrate a poster or postcard related to the cause of that shelter, then sell them, and all the proceeds could go to the shelter. You just conducted a full-blown fundraiser! Or say you are an avid coder and gamer and you are interested in supporting a restaurant in your town that is struggling due to the effects of COVID-19. You could offer to revamp their website (or create their website if they don’t already have one), which could boost their sales and/or give them a platform for delivery.

Both of these projects are wonderful examples of leadership extracurriculars because they demonstrate initiative and creative thinking. To be a leader means to be a problem solver - whatever that means to you and your community!

Developing Leadership in High School with Anjali Bhatia | Crimson Experts Interview Series Ep. 1

Examples of Leadership Activities for High School Students

Let’s look at more examples. Here is a list of leadership activities that Crimson’s successful college admits have pursued. Hopefully, this list will give you a jumping-off point when considering what leadership activities you would like to pursue.

1. Developing an App

Crimson student Miles created an app called FoodForThought, where restaurants and cafes across Auckland could post the leftover food from the day on the platform at a discount, allowing cost-conscious consumers to purchase high-quality food and beverages that would have been otherwise thrown away at the end of the day. Miles coded the entire project by himself and, with the help of his Crimson ECL Mentor, secured further funding for his company from an NZ-based angel investor.

Why is this a good leadership activity?

Miles noticed a problem in his community - food waste - and found a way to solve it using his skills (coding and app development). Additionally, Miles created this project outside a pre-established institution (his school or another volunteer organization). This tells admissions officers that Miles is not only able to solve problems in his community, but he is also a self-starter: someone who can develop projects from scratch. This project would therefore stand out on a college application.

2. Art and Health

Crimson student Annie created Art for Therapy, a project designed to improve the patient environment in therapy clinics. Often, people that go to therapy feel isolated by the sterile, hospital-like environment and the lack of inviting decor. Annie aimed to make patients more comfortable by donating student art to local clinics to improve attitudes and receptivity to therapy and recovery rates.

This project is unique, another quality that admissions officers look for in extracurricular activities. Annie clearly cares about health care and found a way to improve inpatients’ experiences without being a qualified nurse or doctor: she provided them with art! This project shows that Annie is an innovative thinker, persistent, and empathetic, all of which are great qualities to showcase on a college application.

3. Inclusive Journalism

Crimson student Adhithi is passionate about all-inclusive journalism. So, she and students from seven countries (that she met through Crimson Community) began working together to develop a news website that serves as an outlet to inform and highlight the impact of domestic disasters on an international scale. This website was dedicated to international and domestic politics. The target of this website was primarily students, but once the website started developing a solid reader base, Adhithi and her teammates worked to expand their writing by publishing their work in local newspapers.

This project is particularly strong due to its impact. Adhithi took advantage of the international community here at Crimson and expanded this project’s impact across continents. We can also see that Adhithi zeroed in on a problem in her community and sought a way to solve it. This project demonstrates Adhithi’s skills as an organized, driven, hard-working leader and illustrates her specific passion for inclusive journalism.

4. Athletics and Social Work

Crimson student Yuo is an enthusiastic tennis player who wants to solve a problem in his community. He saw that many perfectly usable tennis balls were discarded after games because they were not the standard needed for professional players, yet they were great for use by beginners. Yuo, therefore, started a project where he connected tennis clubs in his town with disadvantaged youth programs to help younger students learn the sport.

Once again, we have a great example of a student noticing a specific issue in their community and finding a way to be a part of the solution. This activity is strong because we see that Yuo was able to build upon another one of his extracurriculars: tennis. When writing out your list of extracurricular activities in your application, a good rule of thumb is that the more connections between your activities, the better. Not all your activities need to be related, but when 4-6 of them have something in common, it can help readers better understand who you are as a student and person.

5. Indigenous Awareness and Education

Crimson student Janela started a project to raise the consciousness of indigeneity in high schoolers called iSPARK. In early high school, Janela noticed that her textbooks barely included any material on indigenous history. She was shocked by this erasure, and it motivated her to fill in this gap in education by hosting a webinar series that provides a platform for indigenous people and scholars to share their experiences with high schoolers worldwide. In its final stages, iSPARK included over two hundred students around the US, two nonprofits, and school clubs who collaborated on collaborative projects to become allies with indigenous communities and initiate institutional reform.

This project demonstrates an ability to think critically; Janela has noticed a country-wide issue, and rather than be discouraged by its size, she has decided to channel her energy into correcting it, even if just in one small way. This is evidence of a persistent leader who can see beyond the here and now and conceptualize a brighter future. Additionally, we can see that this project has gained in size and impact over time, which is a quality that application readers look for.

Final Thoughts

Remember to start small and scale up, be honest and pursue what you are actually passionate about, and keep uniqueness, impact, problem-solving, and community in mind

If you would like more support building your leadership profile, enquiry with one of Crimson’s excellent Extracurricular Mentors below!

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Craft a Winning Application as a Homeschooled Student for Central Baptist College

As a homeschooled student, successfully applying to Central Baptist College (CBC) in Arkansas can be your gateway to a fulfilling college experience. As a private, faith-based institution offering various undergraduate degree programs, CBC values diversity in its student body, including homeschooled students. Setting yourself apart and showcasing your strengths is essential, reflecting how your unique experiences as a homeschooler can enrich the campus.

This article provides valuable tips and strategies specifically for homeschool graduates to create a winning application that resonates with Central Baptist College's admissions team. From highlighting blended academic backgrounds to demonstrating extracurricular involvement to articulating personal values, we'll help you craft an application that showcases the best of your homeschool education and experiences. Take the first step towards an inspiring higher education journey with Central Baptist College by designing an application that sets you apart.

Showcase Your Academic Background and Achievements

Homeschool graduates possess diverse and unique academic experiences that can set them apart in college applications. Present your full academic profile, highlighting your strengths and achievements, to demonstrate your readiness for success at CBC.

1. Transcript preparation: Carefully compile a detailed and organized transcript, accurately reflecting your homeschool coursework and official courses completed through other institutions, if applicable.

2. Standardized test scores: Include your SAT or ACT scores to provide an objective indicator of your academic capabilities, complementing your transcript.

3. Advanced coursework: Emphasize any advanced courses or dual enrollment opportunities undertaken during your homeschool education, illustrating your dedication to academic excellence.

Highlight Your Extracurricular Involvement and Leadership Skills

Extracurricular activities and leadership roles demonstrate commitment, work ethic, and a willingness to engage within the college community. Showcase these experiences to build a compelling application.

1. Community service: Share your involvement in volunteer services or community outreach initiatives, illustrating your dedication to helping others and making an impact.

2. Clubs and organizations: Detail your participation in local clubs, organizations, or co-op groups, showcasing your ability to work collaboratively and take initiative in group settings.

3. Leadership roles: Present any leadership positions or projects you have spearheaded, demonstrating the skills and qualities enabling you to contribute positively to campus life at CBC.

Demonstrate Your Engagement with Faith and Christian Values

As a faith-based institution, Central Baptist College values applicants who exhibit a strong spiritual foundation. Articulate your alignment with CBC's Christian values and principles.

1. Personal essay: In your personal essay, express the importance of faith in your life, how it has shaped your education, and how it will continue to influence your actions and choices.

2. Church involvement: Describe your involvement with your local church community, such as volunteering, mission trips, or leading a youth group, reflecting your commitment to a Christ-centered life.

3. Testimonials: Consider requesting letters of recommendation from church leaders or Christian mentors who can attest to your moral character and spiritual growth.

Showcase Your Adaptability and Resilience

Homeschool graduates often possess remarkable adaptability skills due to their distinctive educational experiences. Highlight your ability to manage transitions and cope with change, a valuable asset in the college setting.

1. Share your story: Provide examples of how you have faced challenges and navigated transitions during your homeschool education, demonstrating resilience and adaptability.

2. Skills acquired: List the essential life skills developed through your homeschool experience, such as time management, self-motivation, and critical thinking, showcasing your readiness for college life.

3. Personal growth: Describe instances when you have faced obstacles, focused on self-improvement, or embraced growth opportunities, illustrating your fortitude and desire to succeed.

Explore CBC-Specific Opportunities and Make Connections

Aligning your interests and goals with the unique offerings of Central Baptist College can make your application stand out by demonstrating a genuine desire to be part of the CBC community.

1. Research: Investigate CBC's various undergraduate degree programs, extracurricular activities, and faith-based opportunities to showcase your understanding of the institution and its distinct offerings.

2. Campus visits: Attend campus tours or shadow a current student to gain authentic insight into campus life and build connections with faculty and staff.

3. Personalize your application: Tailor your essay and application to reflect your deep interest in the college, citing specific opportunities or programs at CBC that align with your aspirations and values.

Request Strong Letters of Recommendation

Letters of recommendation provide additional context and validation of your potential as a successful student at Central Baptist College. Request recommendations from individuals who can provide a comprehensive perspective of your achievements, character, and academic promise.

1. Select your recommenders carefully: Choose academic tutors, mentors, or community leaders who can authentically vouch for your skills, experiences, and personal qualities.

2. Provide adequate notice: Give your recommenders ample time to draft a thoughtful and detailed recommendation, ensuring they have all the necessary information to write a strong letter on your behalf.

3. Follow up: Maintain communication with your recommenders, expressing gratitude for their time and effort and keeping them informed of your application status.

Embarking on Your Central Baptist College Journey

As a homeschool graduate, you possess unique skills and experiences that can set you apart in the Central Baptist College (CBC) application process. You can build a compelling and competitive application by strategically focusing on your academic background, extracurricular involvement, spiritual growth, resilience, and genuine interest in CBC's offerings. Embrace this opportunity to create an application that showcases your distinctive educational journey and highlights your potential to make a meaningful impact within the CBC community.

Now is the time to take the next step in your academic and spiritual journey. Choose Central Baptist College and pursue your educational aspirations at a faith-based institution that values and supports your homeschooling background. Apply now  and set the stage for an inspiring and fulfilling college experience at CBC.

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Texas A&M’s Hollingsworth Center Partners With National Medal Of Honor Institute

A photo of two cadets saluting during a ceremony outside the arches on the Texas A&M University campus.

Texas A&M’s Corps of Cadets’ Hollingsworth Center for Ethical Leadership has entered into a partnership with the National Medal of Honor Griffin Institute . The natural alignment of the two organizations centers around a shared values system. 

The Corps of Cadets has served as Texas A&M’s premier leadership development program for over 145 years. Leveraging a military-structured cultural model allows for the holistic development of each individual in the Corps, regardless of their plans for the future. In fact, 60% of graduating cadets choose to pursue careers within the public, private or nonprofit sectors.

Within the Corps experience, the Hollingsworth Center for Ethical Leadership is a leadership and character “Center of Excellence” for students and staff. The Hollingsworth Center offers a comprehensive collection of programs that combine the formal study of leadership concepts with the intentional application and practice of leadership principles.

The National Medal of Honor Griffin Institute seeks to create a community built on character, leadership and impact by providing experiential leadership programs modeled after the valor and values of Medal of Honor recipients. 

“In our mission to inspire and educate, partnering with the esteemed Hollingsworth Center for Ethical Leadership is a significant milestone,” said Chris Cassidy, president and CEO of the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation. 

“These cadets will be among the future leaders of our nation. Introducing them to the incredible stories of our Medal of Honor recipients does more than add to their academic education. It helps establish a foundation of strong character for these students, allowing them to gain an understanding of what true leadership and service entails.”

Through this partnership, cadets will learn more about Medal of Honor recipients and how their displayed characteristics of leadership can be applied in every aspect of life, from the battlefield to the board room. Cadets will have the opportunity to earn a certificate in applied leadership studies endorsed by the Griffin Institute upon their completion of the Hollingsworth program.

“The Hollingsworth Center is deeply honored to partner with the National Medal of Honor Griffin Institute. Our mission of developing leaders of character aligns perfectly with the institute’s mission of inspiring Americans to reach their true character and leadership potential. It’s a perfect match. Most of our non-commissioning graduates will never find themselves on a combat battlefield, but they can all selflessly serve others and live courageous lives of character in whatever career field they enter,” said Dr. Dave Keller, director of the Hollingsworth Center. 

As the Corps of Cadets continues on its plan to grow to 3,000 members, partnerships such as that with the Griffin Institute help elevate the cadet experience. With the partnership in its beginning stages, Corps of Cadets officials are excited for the possibilities that it will bring to the organization.

“With eight former students among its recipients, Texas A&M has a long and proud connection to the National Medal of Honor. This new partnership builds on that connection by allowing our students to learn about the legacies of Medal recipients and use their knowledge to lead at the next level. What our cadets will learn through this partnership will serve them well as they pursue careers in the private and public sectors. Many of the characteristics that Medal recipients possessed can be emulated in our day-to-day interactions, and this partnership will serve as a springboard for just that,” said Brig. Gen. Patrick Michaelis ’93, commandant of the Corps of Cadets. 

Media contact: Amy Thompson, 979-862-1922, [email protected]

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Womxn of Color Leadership Conference 2024

The Womxn of Color conference is a one-day conference for women of color students at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB). The Womxn of Color conference is a dynamic and empowering event designed to help students cultivate leadership skills and personal growth. Taking place at the University Student Union at CSULB, this conference offers a safe space for these students to engage in meaningful discussions, gain valuable insights from accomplished speakers, and participate in interactive workshops tailored to their unique experiences as women of color. By addressing specific challenges women of color may encounter, the conference aims to inspire, connect, and equip attendees with the tools and confidence needed to excel as leaders in their academic, professional, and personal lives.  

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COMMENTS

  1. What Counts as "Leadership Experience" on College Apps?

    1. At School School work, clubs, sports, and organizations definitely lead to plenty of opportunities for leadership experience. Whether you led a major class project in science or you participated on the student council, you definitely demonstrated the abilities of a leader. A few other experiences that qualify include:

  2. 10 Skills to Highlight on Your College Applications

    1. Commitment Commitment is important to colleges because it's a key ingredient to success both in and outside the classroom. Showing commitment means following through on obligations, maintaining focus and effort, and engaging with academics and activities in deep and lasting ways.

  3. 13 ways to show leadership on college applications

    Here are 13 ways students can show leadership experience on their applications: Run for an officer position (the obvious choice):This could include student government or any other club or organization that you are a part of. Plan an event:Events take a lot of planning, coordination and leadership.

  4. 15 Creative Ways to Showcase Leadership in College Applications

    Incorporating leadership skills into college applications can significantly enhance a student's profile, especially when tied to extracurricular activities or specific experiences that naturally showcase leadership qualities. Here are 15 creative ways to highlight leadership experiences in your college applications: 1. Narrative Essays

  5. Leadership for College Applications: How to Gain Hands-On Experience

    #1 - Take initiative Before you can lead others, you must first lead yourself. Leadership is very personal and it's important to be authentically you - in pursuit of interests and in execution of character. Leadership for college applications will not impress admissions officers unless it aligns with your academic interests and goals.

  6. Showcase Your Leadership Skills for College Admissions

    Some key leadership skills include: Communication: Effective communication involves clearly articulating ideas, actively listening to others, and adapting one's message to suit diverse audiences.

  7. What are some good ways to demonstrate leadership on my college

    Hello! It's great that you're already thinking about how to showcase your leadership skills on your college application. Even if you're not in an official leadership position in your clubs, there are still ways to demonstrate your abilities. Here are a few ideas to consider: 1. Take initiative within your clubs or activities: Look for opportunities to lead a project or organize an event.

  8. The Role of Leadership in College Applications from AP Guru

    Leadership is a highly valued trait in college applications. Admissions committees seek candidates who not only excel academically but also demonstrate the ability to influence, guide, and inspire others. Through leadership experiences, you have the opportunity to showcase your character, initiative, and potential for making a positive impact on your future campus community.

  9. How can I showcase my leadership skills in my college application

    Hi there! It's great to hear that you've taken on leadership roles during high school. Showcasing these skills can indeed make a positive impact on your college applications. One way to highlight your leadership experience is by emphasizing it in the 'Activities' section of your application. Be sure to describe your roles and responsibilities, as well as any accomplishments or impact you've ...

  10. How to Demonstrate Leadership on College Applications

    A team leader or captain? Discovering a passion, and having it on your transcript is the first step to showing that you know who you are, and that you can communicate it clearly to a college. Here are some places, within your school, to discover your talents and passions: Arts/Theater Languages Science/Robotics Philosophy

  11. Showcase Leadership in College Applications

    Why Leadership Matters. On a scale of 1-4, with 4 being of most important value, schools like Princeton, Yale, Stanford, MIT, and University of Pennsylvania gave personal character a 4/4 in terms of importance in college applications. This specific data is derived from Empowerly s research In fact, we have data that allows one to search for ...

  12. How to Get Leadership Experience in Your Extracurriculars

    Demonstrating leadership is one of the most important parts of your college application. It's almost required to get into a top college, and having great leadership experience can help compensate for another area of your application that isn't quite as strong as you'd like it to be.

  13. How to Develop Leadership Skills as a Student (Advice From a College

    XQ Are you looking to kickstart your journey to becoming a leader? Here's a guide for learning more about leadership and developing strategies to change the world—or at least get started.

  14. 13 Ways to Show Leadership on College Applications

    Begin checkout. 0. Students who can lead are considered motivated, dependable, problem-solvers, and team-players. This is exactly why college admission and scholarship review.

  15. How To Make Your College Application Stand Out With Leadership

    More and more, college admission readers are looking for leadership experiences on applications and in college essays. The Academy's college matriculation list is a testament to the college preparation and kinds of leadership skills acquired while attending Army and Navy Academy for school or summer programs.

  16. What Are Leadership Skills, and Why Are They Important?

    These skill sets include communication, negotiation, conflict resolution, decision-making, and more. Examples of leadership skills Take a detailed look at some popular leadership qualities companies may value and look for in a candidate. Communication

  17. Your Resume, Revamped: Securing Leadership Positions and Perfecting

    Rising through the ranks of your academic or athletic team, club, or service organization will not only help you develop the social skills that will enable you to be successful in college and beyond, but also allow you to clearly and effectively demonstrate these skills to admissions committees. Acquiring leadership positions can take your ...

  18. How to Develop Leadership Experience for College Admissions

    In College Admissions for the 21st Century, Robert J. Sternberg (former Dean of Arts and Sciences at Tufts) defines leadership "not in the sense of achieving a level of authority, but rather as making a positive, meaningful, and hopefully enduring difference to the world at some level."

  19. Why Are American Colleges Obsessed With 'Leadership'?

    It's possible, of course, to understand "leadership," as conceived in the college admissions process, as a broad church of qualities: encompassing a whole host of attributes desirable in...

  20. Leadership Experience: The Missing Piece in College Applications

    Today, we had the privilege of speaking with Maya Gobert, our Director of Leadership and Innovation, who revealed strategies on the importance of framing leadership as the centerpiece of a college application. She revealed that admissions officers want to see evidence of leadership qualities through meaningful involvement and impact -- which ...

  21. 7 Ways to Boost Leadership Skills in College

    Many of the skills of a great leader, such as confidence, communication, teamwork, and problem-solving, can be practiced extensively in college. If you want to graduate ready to lead confidently and effectively, here are seven ways to boost leadership skills in college. 1. Volunteer in the community. In college, opportunities to volunteer and ...

  22. How To Build Leadership Skills In High School With Examples

    Not all your activities need to be related, but when 4-6 of them have something in common, it can help readers better understand who you are as a student and person. 5. Indigenous Awareness and Education. Crimson student Janela started a project to raise the consciousness of indigeneity in high schoolers called iSPARK.

  23. UW College of Business Launches Academy to Develop Student Leadership

    Published February 22, 2024. The University of Wyoming College of Business has launched the UW Leadership Academy, a unique experiential course to develop students' leadership capabilities while providing them with experiences around Wyoming. The Leadership Academy, which begins this fall, will include visits to Casper, Lander and Sheridan.

  24. What Is an MBA? About the Degree, Programs, Jobs, and More

    A Master of Business Administration, or MBA degree, is a graduate-level business and management degree with a focus on leadership and managerial skills. By earning this degree, you can equip yourself with the skills and knowledge to accelerate your career, transition to new industries, or even launch your own businesses.

  25. Craft a Winning Application as a Homeschooled Student for Central

    2. Campus visits: Attend campus tours or shadow a current student to gain authentic insight into campus life and build connections with faculty and staff. 3. Personalize your application: Tailor your essay and application to reflect your deep interest in the college, citing specific opportunities or programs at CBC that align with your ...

  26. Even In Blue-Collar Careers, A College Degree Can Mean More Green

    Chris Jones leveraged the skills fostered by his college education in journalism to become a leader ...[+] with a solar energy company in Indianapolis. Chris Jones. When we think of ways to make ...

  27. Texas A&M's Hollingsworth Center Partners With National Medal Of Honor

    The Texas A&M's Corps of Cadets' Hollingsworth Center for Applied Leadership Studies has entered into a partnership with the National Medal of Honor Griffin Institute. The natural alignment of the two organizations centers around a shared values system. The Corps of Cadets has served as Texas A&M's premier leadership development program ...

  28. Womxn of Color Leadership Conference 2024

    The Womxn of Color conference is a one-day conference for women of color students at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB). The Womxn of Color conference is a dynamic and empowering event designed to help students cultivate leadership skills and personal growth. Taking place at the University Student Union at CSULB, this conference offers a safe space for these students to engage in ...