It's spring break season and I am seeing larger and more numerous tour groups on our liberal arts college campus (Claremont McKenna College). While our college's motto is about "Preparing Leaders" we are by no means unique. Nearly every college and university is focused (some would say "obsessed") with assessing leadership in reviewing applicants. What is that all about?
Success in college, and in life, is not just about being smart (of course GPA and standardized test scores are given the biggest emphasis in admissions), but it's about being motivated. My friends and research collaborators, Adele and Allen Gottfried, talk about "gifted motivation" - students who are exceptionally driven to succeed in academic endeavors and in life. College admissions officers can't accurately measure motivation, so instead they look at accomplishments that go beyond mere academics. An easy way to get some sense of that is to see how active (and motivated) students have been in extracurricular activities. In other words, have they held key positions - leadership positions - in clubs, sports teams, community groups, etc.?
Another reason why leadership is a big deal, is that colleges and universities want students to be actively engaged in campus life. They invest in the students they admit, and they want them to succeed. Research on college student success shows that students need to be both academically engaged (i.e., do well in and enjoy classes), but also socially engaged (be active in and enjoy the college scene). Students who have been active in leadership positions in high school are socially engaged.
But why is it focused on leadership? Our definition of the term leadership has changed in the past few decades. It used to be reserved for only those in the highest-level positions of power and authority. But as organizations (and society) become "flatter," with less emphasis on authority, we look for leadership at all levels. Leadership is a term that is used as a substitute for "good citizenship" or to indicate people who are motivated, actively engaged in groups and organizations, and accomplishing things.
So my advice to college applicants: Think about leadership, and think broadly. Get actively engaged in those non-curricular endeavors that you feel excited or passionate about. Be motivated. Take initiative. Demonstrate leadership. Oh, yeah, make sure you keep your grades up, too.
Resources:
http://www.ehow.com/how_2129742_demonstrate-leadership-college-ad...
http://www.forbes.com/2006/09/13/college-admissions-myths-lead-ca...
