Depth/Impact vs. Quantity regarding extracurriculars

[USAFA_nominee#1]

I have been asking this question to personal mentors for quite some time, so I’d like your take on it. Simply put: Is it better to have a ton of officer roles (president of everything, in a bunch of clubs and organizations) or is it better to have less leadership roles and more community involvement?

For example, I’m the founder and President of 2 clubs, President of another, officer in a fourth, and a student council officer and committee chair. Additionally, I am a founding member of a political organization to get youth involved in community politics and a member of two national organizations that relate to that topic. Is it better for me to keep getting officer roles in clubs and leadership roles in community organizations and events, or should I keep what I have now and focus on community involvement in the clubs that currently run? I can very easily found another club, or become President in the clubs I’m just a member or officer in, but is that more beneficial than keeping my current roles and drilling into that community impact and involvement?

Essentially I am asking, quality or quantity? Assume my possibilities for quantity are endless.

 

[MidCakePa]

It is better to make meaningful “leadership impact.” In other words, did you step into a setting or organization where you saw that something could be much improved? Did you devise a solution, rally others to the cause, and resolve the problem? And in the end, did you leave the place better than you found it?

That’s real leadership. It’s not about quality or quantity. It’s about meaningful impact. You don’t need a title or an office to achieve it. You just do it.

 

[USAFA_nominee#1]

It is better to make meaningful “leadership impact.” In other words, did you step into a setting or organization where you saw that something could be much improved? Did you devise a solution, rally others to the cause, and resolve the problem? And in the end, did you leave the place better than you found it?

That’s real leadership. It’s not about quality or quantity. It’s about meaningful impact. You don’t need a title or an office to achieve it. You just do it.

That's what I thought. I have a lot of family telling me what I should be president of or what club I should start at my school because of my previous achievements. In reality, the clubs I have started or the clubs/organizations I run are because I enjoy doing it or I have a purpose or cause I am working for. It's like there is a parrot on each shoulder, one telling me "do more," and the other telling me "improve on what you're involved in now." It's two conflicting ideas I keep hearing.

 

[lisanoelle]

I have been asking this question to personal mentors for quite some time, so I’d like your take on it. Simply put: Is it better to have a ton of officer roles (president of everything, in a bunch of clubs and organizations) or is it better to have less leadership roles and more community involvement?

For example, I’m the founder and President of 2 clubs, President of another, officer in a fourth, and a student council officer and committee chair. Additionally, I am a founding member of a political organization to get youth involved in community politics and a member of two national organizations that relate to that topic. Is it better for me to keep getting officer roles in clubs and leadership roles in community organizations and events, or should I keep what I have now and focus on community involvement in the clubs that currently run? I can very easily found another club, or become President in the clubs I’m just a member or officer in, but is that more beneficial than keeping my current roles and drilling into that community impact and involvement?

Essentially I am asking, quality or quantity? Assume my possibilities for quantity are endless.

I dont' think theres a one size fits all, but you should have some of both. Do what you feel compelled to do. Generally, by Junior year, it can help to start narrowing your focus. If you like photography, you can be an officer of a club, you could teach some kids, and you could start a youtube channel. You can make a stronger presentation about who you are. If youre still exploring our passions, thats fine, but you'll want to try to pull the narrative together. Do things because you enjoy them, not because they look good. If you do the things you love and have a great high school experiences, you've won! Thats the person they'll enjoy talking to at interviews.