High school clubs

HopefulMid

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Jun 26, 2020
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I was just wondering if it is seen as more valuable to start clubs or to join already existing clubs and become a leader there. Which one would make me more competitive for USNA? Or do I need a mix of both? Thanks!
 
It's less about the "position" and more about the impact you make in the club. Being the "president" or "founder" of a club probably hold the same "value" on the wcs... but if you take a club from 5 to 50 members, or do a fundraiser that makes $10,000, they can tell you are a leader. Focus on making a large, concrete difference in your community in as many ways as you can. The rest will follow.
 
No need to complicate this or overthink it. Leadership is measured by impact. That is, did you see a way to make things better in a setting or organization; work with others to devise a solution; rally those others to execute the solution; leave the setting or organization better than when you found it?

That’s real leadership, and it’s what the SAs want to read about in essays and hear about in interviews. None of it is necessarily tied to a club or a title. Think quality, not quantity (or type, as you’re alluding).

Cross-posted with @Fotouman.
 
I was just wondering if it is seen as more valuable to start clubs or to join already existing clubs and become a leader there. Which one would make me more competitive for USNA? Or do I need a mix of both? Thanks!
What club would you start?
 
What club would you start?
I was thinking about starting a club after school to help teach kids who may not know how to swim the basics. Our school has a pool and I am going to get lifeguard certified in the next few months and with a couple of friends who also have the same qualifications I think we could make a difference.
 
You’ll probably have to get a teacher sponsor. I would ask one you already have a relationship with and have your plan written and whatnot.
 
You’ll probably have to get a teacher sponsor. I would ask one you already have a relationship with and have your plan written and whatnot.
Yeah there is a list you have to accomplish in order to start a club and I have it mapped out. I plan to execute it once the school year starts.
 
Agree with MidCake -- don't overthink it , but whatever you --do it right and make an impact. The difference between starting a club and leading an existing club into greatness is probably not going to make or break an application.

One thing to keep in mind, for all Candidates -- Senior year is not the time to out and try to make an impact ...Trying to create a new Club the last year of HS would likely be viewed as a resume builder. Creating a successful club and having an impact takes time ... if you are looking to go beyond simply checking the "Club President" box on the Candidate Activies Records, and make starting a club a centerpiece of your application, you want to be able to show that the club was started and was successful (ie. had an impact) because of your leadership. In addition , it takes time for the faculty to recognize your accomplishments -- leading to positive teacher evaluations.
 
I wholeheartedly agree. Most of a Candidate's resume worth looking at, happens before their Senior year.
Do not take that to mean that you should coast in 12th grade, however. It's just seems that it is so infrequent that the folks in Admissions even ask for Senior year grades, that it appears that they don't really put much weight on what you do after those first 6 semesters - unless you make it to Salutatorian or Valedictorian - I suppose. That would be what we call "a good thing".

On the other hand - if you really do something stupid - like tank all your grades or end up in jail, that would be what we call "a bad thing". ;)
 
I wholeheartedly agree. Most of a Candidate's resume worth looking at, happens before their Senior year.
Do not take that to mean that you should coast in 12th grade, however. It's just seems that it is so infrequent that the folks in Admissions even ask for Senior year grades, that it appears that they don't really put much weight on what you do after those first 6 semesters - unless you make it to Salutatorian or Valedictorian - I suppose. That would be what we call "a good thing".

On the other hand - if you really do something stupid - like tank all your grades or end up in jail, that would be what we call "a bad thing". ;)
Thank you for the advice!
 
The OP also doesn't state what year in h.s. they are or what other sports/ECA's/etc. they are already involved with. IF they are a senior and have -0- other accomplishments, then it is probably too late to be competitive on their SA application. Regardless of what year you are, I would focus less on 'what looks better' and more on the 'how can I contribute to the success of my h.s.' by doing something you either enjoy or where you can excel. Top applicants typically excel in sports/leadership & academics.

Starting a club as a senior will likely not yield much in the way of results, since most of the year will be spent in planning/organizing and you will be submitting your application before completing that year. Probably will mean little to any college where you are applying.
 
The advice reflected above is what DS has taken as the prevailing wisdom. However he has told me that in this year’s application the ability to describe “leadership impact” in clubs is very limited because of the way the pulldown options in the Candidate Activity section are designed.

It may be that interviews and essay are now the primary way to display impact
 
The advice reflected above is what DS has taken as the prevailing wisdom. However he has told me that in this year’s application the ability to describe “leadership impact” in clubs is very limited because of the way the pulldown options in the Candidate Activity section are designed.

It may be that interviews and essay are now the primary way to display impact
yes this is exactly correct AND this years application only allows you to list activities, awards and honors for 10th, 11th and 12th - there is no drop down selection for 9th grade - which is strange to me - my DD could not list anything that she did in 9th grade.......she is still hoping that she can upload her resume some how.....
 
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