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leadership
Started by go1f4par
Leadership experiences can fall under many different categories: community involvement, school organizations, sports, clubs. You do not need to actually hold a leadership position, although many do, but rather exemplify your leadership through involvement. This doesn't answer your question, but I wanted to kind of clear things up.
I am sure a good chunk of applicants got in with zero leadership experience. I would say leadership plays a role, albeit a minor one in the admission process; however, if your leadership experiences are profound, it could end up playing a HUGE role in your favor.
Sorry, but I have never heard of leadership through involvement. There are numerous ways and techniques to lead, but I can't think of many ways you can twist the facts to say because you were there you were a leader.
Example: You are in a student organization, say Italian-American Club. You go to meetings. You celebrate Fermi's birth. You eat pasta. You participated...you did not lead.
The difference is between leadership and followership is as simple as the difference between makings things happen and enjoying the fruits of someone's work.
I'm involved with volunteering in a elementary school class room, which would fall in community involvement I guess. Occasionally, I'm put in charge of a class room to do class projects or learning. I think there's definitely leadership application in that. I think it just depends on what you do.
Ok, yes, the example you have given would not be considered leadership through involvement. But what about being a member of habitat for humanity and participating in weekly housing projects. You do not hold a leadership position or a chair, yet would you not consider that community leadership? Or if you play on a sports team, are the captains the only ones permitted to lead? You are right, just because you are a member of a club, organization, or greek system does not mean you are a leader, but what I am trying to express is that one does not need to a hold a leadership position (or title head) to have leadership experience.
COMPLETELY agree with the last sentence, and that is my point. Title does not equal leader. Activism does not equal leader. Driving, organizing, motivating, communication, critical decision-making, and accountability equals leader. (and many others - these just happen to be good leadership traits for a clinic setting.)
Your first example of habitat...answer: no. I would consider that community ACTIVISM; however, if you were organizing participants, motivating team members, garnering gear/materials from suppliers, working with officials for permits, etc. I would consider that community leadership - and very solid and noble leadership at that.
My only warning to others thinking ECA always = leadership is to be able to justify the statement with action versus simple participation.
This is a good thread, and I like the discussions back on forth on the matter. Leadership can be complicated and is often misunderstood/misinterpreted. I have met some incredible applicants and posters throughout the application process and am impressed by what they have accomplished so early in their careers.
Yea, I agree with you 👍
Nice profile pic, BTW. I will say whenever I see it I think of 12 drummers drumming, and pulling out your own teeth! (GREAT flick!)
I think I read you got into UNC...correct? Congrats. They gave me the ol' Heisman!
Best of luck...
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