It’s notable when college admissions officers are all in agreement. At a gathering of high school guidance counselors, organized by the New Jersey Association for College Admission Counseling, a question was posed to a group of college admissions officers. “What quality do you most seek in the students you choose to admit?” Each admissions representative responded with the same word: Leadership.
Walk the campus of an elite university and ask any student, “What helped you get accepted to this amazing school?” You will quickly find that each student has a story to tell. It usually revolves around leadership.
Leadership takes on many forms. Some students serve as the founder, president, or other officer, of a highly respected club or organization at their high school. Others are the captain of a varsity team. Still others take on leadership roles within their community. The unifying quality is that they are developing leadership skills which will impress college admissions officers and later serve their college community.
It’s ideal when students acquire leadership skills that simultaneously help them gain more knowledge and experience in a field they intend to pursue in college. Future doctors can serve their communities by getting certified and working as Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs). Future business executives can take on a leadership role with DECA, a non-profit student organization, in existence since 1946, that helps student members develop financial, management, and leadership skills. If a student’s high school doesn’t host this club, it’s the perfect opportunity to launch it!
Some students demonstrate leadership through their long-time membership in the Boy Scouts of America or Girl Scouts of America. Both organizations offer a culminating project, resulting in an Eagle Award or Gold Award, providing a vast array of opportunities for scouts to exhibit their leadership skills.
Many unique projects have been founded by student leaders who have recently gained acceptance to top colleges.
One launched a newsletter, Teens Take On Medicine, to provide high school students nationwide who are interested in pursuing pre-med with information about internship and research opportunities.
Another student started a business, Your LockStop, creating and selling locks with fingerprint sensors so students don’t have to deal with combination locks on their lockers.
Another student initiated a YouTube channel, Apples to Oranges, comparing the philosophies of different religions from around the world.
The common factor is that the student was the founder, or played a leadership role, in a project that served the high school, local community, or some group in need.
Susan Alaimo is the founder and director of Collegebound Review that, for the past 25 years, has offered PSAT/SAT® preparation and private college advising by Ivy League educated instructors. Visit CollegeboundReview.com or call 908-369-5362
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