Getting in without leadership

[technocrat626]

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I have no leadership experience, and I don't wish to get any. I am not a natural leader. If I don't have leadership experience on my app, is it going to kill my chances?

 

[msmitra]

You will only shoot yourself in the foot if you don't get any. Try to get something even if its in a small way. You can help organize a blood drive or something. Leading is a great opportunity to help serve and help out your peers and/or community.

 

[Iliketoytles]

Some people say leaders are born... but I believe GOOD leaders are always made from hard work, initiative, experience, and humility. So you don't have to be a natural leader, since there's no such thing as a natural leader...

I don't mean to be rude... but your attitude towards leadership stinks and it really strikes a nerve with me (not that that should bother you), especially on this particular subject. If I was an adcom, I'd throw your app in the bin. But what do I know... 🙄

Enough of the lecture. Will not having leadership kill your chances? I wouldn't say kill it, but the other parts of your application better be stellar and unique.

 

[randomusername]

Assuming your stats are decent (not even stellar) and you have some shadowing or clinical experience, don't sweat it. I had zero hours of volunteer work, no club activities, and no leadership experience but still made it in without any trouble (it was never even brought up at any interviews either).

 

[OrganicDOc2BE]

Assuming your stats are decent (not even stellar) and you have some shadowing or clinical experience, don't sweat it. I had zero hours of volunteer work, no club activities, and no leadership experience but still made it in without any trouble (it was never even brought up at any interviews either).

👍 I couldn't agree more. Get some shadowing under your belt and you'll be fine. You don't need to be a leader to be a good doctor.

 

[Bisbee]

I am not even sure what is meant by "leadership". I think that we lead by example. If we do good for others, people see that and want to follow. That is a form of leadership. I don't think it means you have to be in charge of an event or take over. Just be your best self, work hard at the things you care about, bring out the person you are on the inside. Being "the boss" doesn't make you a leader. Sometimes it's the more quiet person who shines without saying a word.

 

[Iliketoytles]

In retrospect, my post was pretty biased. I completely agree with Bisbee. I also think that it never hurts to want the responsibility to lead. I feel it says positive things about someone's character... as does being a good follower.

 

[musclemilk619]

I have no leadership experience, and I don't wish to get any. I am not a natural leader. If I don't have leadership experience on my app, is it going to kill my chances?

This is how I felt about volunteer work hahah. But as for no leadership, no, it will not hurt you

 

[Hemorrage]

Get leadership if you naturally feel like a leader. Not every physician is president material

 

[docmayer]

I have a concern with leadership as well. The only leadership I have is organizing a fundraiser for the Canadian Diabetes Association and being captain of an intramural volleyball league.Not trying to cut myself short but is that "enough"?

 

[Prncssbuttercup]

Leadership alone won't kill your app. However, being timid and insecure might, and the original post is dripping with it. Toytles, I think you & I picked that up and feel the same about it. Your post says "I'm afraid to try something I might fail" that attitude WILL come through, so maybe that's something to think about

 

[technocrat626]

Leadership alone won't kill your app. However, being timid and insecure might, and the original post is dripping with it. Toytles, I think you & I picked that up and feel the same about it. Your post says "I'm afraid to try something I might fail" that attitude WILL come through, so maybe that's something to think about

Being largely uninterested in occupying a leadership position does not by definition make one timid and insecure, and I fail to see how my original post was "dripping with it". This illustrates an interesting differences in individuals' perceptions, because I see people who insist on being leaders at all times as being insecure, seeking self-validation through possessing authority. If I'm in a situation where my abilities and skills cause me to naturally arise as the leader in the group, I'm completely fine with that and I'm not going to shirk the responsibility. But I don't wish to go out and seek out leadership positions just so I can put them on a med school app. That seems manufactured and disingenuous.

Sorry if it seems like I'm getting defensive, but your post came off as very condescending.

 

[randomusername]

I'm not really sure how one perceiving themselves as not being a natural leader automatically means they're timid and insecure... If OP had mentioned that they were only comfortable following others like a sheep, then the argument might be there.

All of the application fluff exemplified by ECs like leadership positions is just that: fluff. Will fluff ever hurt your app? No. Will fluff ever help your app? Maybe. Ultimately, if an applicant has competitive stats, they'll get interviews. If they're not a totally unrelenting tool, they'll get acceptances.

 

[6262]

I worked as an assistant manager at a blockbuster..will this help with leadership..? It's all I have so far..

 

[selttiks288]

The reason leadership is important is because doctors ARE leaders. As a doctor you will be calling the shots and will have to delegate tasks and be responsible for making sure things get done. The fact that you don't wish to even try to gain experience in leadership or don't wish to be a leader is a red flag, because that's part of the job.

 

[selttiks288]

I didn't read the whole thread before I posted and it's hard to tell of you just don't want to resume stuff or if you're not comfortable being a leader. If you're comfortable with the fact that as a doctor you will be leading a team everyday then no it probably won't hurt you.

 

[Goro]

While it's a good thing to have, in my 10+ years of serving on our adcom, I've never, ever seen someone rejected or wait-listed because they didn't have any leadership experience.

Now, if you're lacking volunteer experience, THAT will hurt you!

I have no leadership experience, and I don't wish to get any. I am not a natural leader. If I don't have leadership experience on my app, is it going to kill my chances?

 

[metalgirl14]

I didn't have any leadership when I applied and I still received several interviews. As long as the rest of your application is well-rounded, you should be fine.

 

[circulus vitios]

Some people say leaders are born... but I believe GOOD leaders are always made from hard work, initiative, experience, and humility. So you don't have to be a natural leader, since there's no such thing as a natural leader...

I don't mean to be rude... but your attitude towards leadership stinks and it really strikes a nerve with me (not that that should bother you), especially on this particular subject. If I was an adcom, I'd throw your app in the bin. But what do I know... 🙄

Enough of the lecture. Will not having leadership kill your chances? I wouldn't say kill it, but the other parts of your application better be stellar and unique.

Leadership sucks and most pre-med 'leadership' is complete garbage.

 

[UrshumMurshum]

Leadership sucks and most pre-med 'leadership' is complete garbage.

Ya I was going to say most undergraduate leadership is complete crap.

But there are a few activities that are legitimate like mentoring a child, leading a platoon in war, etc.

 

[MedPR]

I have no leadership experience, and I don't wish to get any. I am not a natural leader. If I don't have leadership experience on my app, is it going to kill my chances?

lolwut.

 

[nicolemsm]

Leadership sucks and most pre-med 'leadership' is complete garbage.

Agreed.

Ya I was going to say most undergraduate leadership is complete crap.

But there are a few activities that are legitimate like mentoring a child, leading a platoon in war, etc.

OP have you thought about mentoring incoming freshman (I'm apart of my school's honors college and this is open to juniors/seniors to show new freshman the ropes and get them settled into the college atmosphere). Additionally, I'm sure there are other programs where you could work with disadvantaged teens in your area to provide tutoring/mentoring.

 

[MedPR]

Leadership sucks and most pre-med 'leadership' is complete garbage.

The problem I have with the OP (and I think toytles was saying the same thing) was not wanting leadership. Not having leadership isn't a problem, as others have said, but explicitly stating that you don't want to have any leadership experience is a kind of a problem.