As parents, it’s natural to want your teenager to get involved in various activities—sports, clubs, volunteering, and everything in between. After all, it seems like high school leadership is what colleges want, right?
But when it comes to college admissions, depth matters more than breadth. What truly stands out isn’t a long list of officer titles. It’s meaningful leadership and growth in the areas your teen genuinely cares about.
What Colleges Really Mean by High School Leadership
It’s no secret that college admission officers want to see leadership on a student’s application, but many times, leadership gets confused with just being busy. I see it all the time. I have students joining several clubs, signing up for every service project, and vying for the title of “President” or “Captain” just to pad their resumes.
But true leadership isn’t about just having a title or belonging to a bunch of clubs. It’s about the impact you make in the activities that mean the most to you. And if you’re child doesn’t aspire to be President of the National Honor Society or Captain of the swim team or First Chair in the school band, it’s okay!
Colleges want to see experiences that demonstrate a student’s leadership qualities. They’re looking for commitment, collaboration, resilience, and problem-solving skills. These traits emerge when a student is deeply involved in something they love. When I meet with students early on, I always ask, “What are you passionate about?” and “In what ways do you want to make a lasting impact on your school or community?” Reflecting on these questions can lead to the experiences that truly define who they are as a leader.
Depth Leads to Greater Confidence and Purpose
By diving deeper into what they love, students begin to uncover their real talents and passions. They start to build meaningful relationships and feel proud of their accomplishments, not because it looks good on a college application, but because it means something to them.
Leadership is not about authority, which leads me to my next point…
Real Leadership Is About Growth
Maybe your teen started as a member of the school’s Interact Club and eventually led a service project where classmates collected books or school supplies for under-resourced schools. Or perhaps they noticed their teammates struggling and stepped up to mentor and support younger players.
These examples show depth. Colleges appreciate seeing that students are committed to their activities and demonstrate initiative and growth over time.
It’s Not About Doing More, It’s About Doing What Matters Most
True impact happens when energy is focused, not scattered. When students spread themselves too thin, they juggle too many commitments and lose the chance to lead with intention. Admissions officers can tell when involvement looks more like a laundry list than a passion.
The bottom line: students should invest their time and creativity into what they love doing—because that’s what tells their story.
I often tell my students, “You don’t have to do everything, just do the right things for you!” What matters most is the depth of involvement and the impact they make. Great leadership isn’t about doing everything—it’s about going deep where it counts.
How Educational Connections Can Help Your Student Stand Out For College
If your teen isn’t sure where to focus their energy or how to build meaningful leadership experiences for college applications, our college consultants are here to help.
We guide students to:
- Discover their strengths and passions
- Develop authentic leadership experiences that reflect who they are
- Craft compelling applications that highlight genuine impact
Our team of former university admissions officers helps students lead with purpose and stand out for the right reasons. Learn more about our College Consulting program by scheduling a call with one of our Education Specialists:
ABOUT OUR AUTHOR:
Jen Foldvary, M.Ed., is a College Consultant at Educational Connections. She previously worked as a private high school college counselor and as the Associate Director of Freshmen Admission at the University of Toledo. Jen holds a Bachelor’s in Special Education and a Master’s in Higher Education Administration from The University of Toledo. She began her career as a special education teacher.