What is leadership? Being president of a club?

[axp107]

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I've typically done what I've been interested in.. I've noticed a lot of premeds around me join pre-med clubs, student government.. blah blah solely for the reason of getting a "leadership position". According to med schools, that's an example of leadership right?

In terms of school clubs, I've really only been involved in sports clubs..
Student government and premed clubs really bore me. I don't feel I have to join such clubs just to brighten up my resume. Moreover, from people I personally know (atleast at my school), officers of such clubs really do not do much work. It's not even much of a time commitment.

In terms of ECs I'm involved in research, I'm a hospice volunteer, and rock climb/various other sports clubs. I don't have "leadership" experience in the sense that I'm not a president or an officer of a club. Do medical schools honestly put much value into such positions? I'm sure they know many students are in such clubs solely for resume-polishing.

 

[MassTransport]

I have no memberships in clubs, and I think it's going okay for me so far. I think there's plenty of other opportunities, much better than clubs, to show leadership potential. Failing that, try to get some positions of responsibility so you can sorta exercise the skills that are vital for a doctor.

I didn't get involved in them mainly for the same reason as you, I didn't find club membership very interesting.

 

[LizzyM]

Leadership means having responsibility for someone other than yourself and motivating others toward a common goal.

Leadership can be demonstrated within service organizations, performing arts groups, sports teams, and fraternities/sororities. Organizing/supervising a group of student volunteers to work toward a common goal, directing a play, editing a newspaper, serving as the traveling secretary for singing group, leading a varsity team, or having a leadership role in a frat would be some examples. Student leaders are also tapped to serve on university committees or act as mentors to groups of underclassmen.

 

[Shef]

I think to be a true leader, it has to be of something that you love. I think that medical school committees can tell if you are sincere or a resume builder. I think that if you are looking for opportunities for leadership you can find them in your hobbies rather than through a premed society that doesn't do anything.

I personally do not join any club that doesn't do anything, even if it would be another activity on my AMCAS or resume. Just out of principle. I think that you should prioritize the things that you enjoy and I think that medical schools will see that in you.

 

[ChubbyChaser]

Personally I volunteered as a camp counselor for a week for children with muscular dystrophy. I think that this qualifies as leadership, because being in charge of someones every activity requires leadership, patience, and is a lot of responsibility. Just whatever you want to do do it with passion, and if your truly sincere about it the ADCOMS will know

 

[Dulcina]

i was never the leader of any traditional clubs on campus, since most of the clubs just didnt interest me.

my leadership stuff has been being a backpacking instructor, and teaching lessons on outdoor skills and stuff. I feel like its good enough, since I didn't do it to "fill my resume", but we'll see, i havent applied yet 😛

 

[illixir]

Teaching activities, say to university students in Bio or to kids at an elementary school, or being a camp counselor can count as leadership if they ask you to describe a leadership experience? I always thought of that as more completing a task, teaching a topic or overseeing others but not necessarily leading them in a group effort to accomplish something. Could someone clarify if these activities are definately considered leadership?

 

[TheRealMD]

Teaching activities, say to university students in Bio or to kids at an elementary school, or being a camp counselor can count as leadership if they ask you to describe a leadership experience? I always thought of that as more completing a task, teaching a topic or overseeing others but not necessarily leading them in a group effort to accomplish something. Could someone clarify if these activities are definately considered leadership?

Yep.

 

[ChubbyChaser]

Its my belief you dont have to have a certain title to be a leader, and im sure ADCOMS know this. If they ask you to describe a time were you displayed leadership would you rather say yeah iw as president of X club and we had meettings. Or would you rather say yeah I took care of a needy child for a week..... or something of the sort

 

[LizzyM]

Teaching activities, say to university students in Bio or to kids at an elementary school, or being a camp counselor can count as leadership if they ask you to describe a leadership experience?

I would say "no". What would be a leadership experience would be if you were the supervisor, manager, "leader" of a group of people (students, volunteers or employees) who are tutors, teachers, or counselors.

Also, I failed to mention ROTC (once you rise above the bottom rung), service as a military officer, and Scouting (with a troop, as an adult) as other obvious leadership situations.

 

[FutureMDinTN]

From my experience, I have found out that medical schools really aren't looking for 50 different clubs that you were a member of or anything like that...but rather want "evidenced committment" to one or two organizations. As far as leadership goes, that can mean a lot of things. For example, I helped to organize a huge service project in my community and now this has become an annual event. I think things like that look just as good or better than being President of a whole lot of different organizations.

 

[ChubbyChaser]

Correct, Im not president of my Premed club, but i Headed up bringing a Relay to Life for our campus (personally thats alot more than our president has ever done)

 

[signature16]

I'm helping run a middle school math program. It takes about 2 hours a week and I'm in charge of like 10 teenagers. Most middle schools have some sort of way for high school or college students to volunteer.

I've also helped chapparone several trips to Mexico with a local church group. You don't have to be religious to work with a chruch (i'm not) and there are some great opportunities.

 

[santabanta]

is being the founder and president of a club a fairly unique/stand-out EC?
(the club is a research oriented public health club that has brought change to campus health)

 

[Compass]

is being the founder and president of a club a fairly unique/stand-out EC?
(the club is a research oriented public health club that has brought change to campus health)

It's stand-out, but with this SD crowd, unlikely unique. It's a good one to put on, though.