The Importance of “Leadership” and “Community Service” in College Application Process
In a holistic college application review in selective institutions, in addition to student’s academic performance, other non-academic factors such as community service, extracurricular activities, leadership roles are taken into consideration. These non-academic engagements have become important attributes in the decision making process. As a result, applicants try to showcase all sorts of activities that indicate leadership qualities. In doing such, students often times are only attracted to some activities temporarily in order to enhance their resumes for college admissions, instead of being involved in fewer but more heartfelt activities. By presenting fewer activities that reflect their true passion and show how they take that passion to the next level of commitment students can show higher quality achievements. Let’s keep in mind that the colleges usually are looking for quality over quantity.
In an interesting article recently in The New York Times op-ed “Not Leadership Material? Good. The World Needs Followers” Susan Cain analyzes the definition of “leadership” in college application process.
