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- Pre-Dental
Did anybody get into dental school without any leadership experiences? How big of a role does leadership experiences count during admission process?

Did anybody get into dental school without any leadership experiences? How big of a role does leadership experiences count during admission process?
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.
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.
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.
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.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.
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.
Yea, I agree with you 👍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 👍