Leadership/Service Programs for College Apps
Our son is a junior at El Cerrito HIgh. He's in pretty good shape for college applications -- setting sights on UCLA -- gets As, is prepping well for the SAT, is taking advanced and AP classes, gets tutoring where needed, etc.
One thing our son is really missing though is "demonstration of leadership", which we understand is a big part of college applications. He's not into joining a club or starting some kind of do-good initiative, much as we wish he would. When not studying, he likes to hang out with friends, make music and play basketball or ride his skateboard, but he isn't super competitive about what he does. He likes to travel and is interested in the world; he's very mature and capable and likes to help others. And he likes to meet new people, though he's not a self-promoter.
So we heard about teen travel/service programs and we're first of all wondering if this is a way to cover the "demonstration of leadership" thing. Any feedback on that?
We got a catalog for "Global Leadership Adventures and it looks interesting. But a little pricey for us. Any recommendations? Is it worth it? Are there better ones, cheaper ones -- better AND cheaper ones?
Also -- as far as what the students are doing ... we'd love to find something that wouldn't break our bank account and that would genuinely provide our son with meaningful service opportunities? (Something that colleges like too ... !)
Most ideal would be something where he shares the experience with other students from a very diverse range of experiences, demographics, cultural/ethnic backgrounds -- we don't really want to give money to a program that is really just a vacation for rich white kids, cloaked as a "service opportunity", where "we" (privileged Americans) go in and help "them" (the "underdeveloped") learn how to live like we do; that's not the model of service/leadership we want to support.
Are there any local programs/companies/nonprofits who do this work -- we'd like to support our local community!
Thanks so much for any recommendations!
Parent Replies
I am responding to this question as a college admissions essay coach just finishing up the first season of the UCs' eight new prompts (four required) including Prompt #1 on leadership: Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes, or contributed to group efforts over time.
First, I groan when I see a service/study abroad trip on a student's resume. Rather than enumerate the reasons for my dismay, let me refer you to this excellent article on same by Frank Bruni in The New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/14/opinion/sunday/to-get-to-harvard-go-t…
Second, such a program rarely involves leadership. A program is by definition programmed. Kids frequently travel afar, build "like some kind of hut," and sing songs with local kids. Yes, some require more initiative but not the kind of solid leadership experience referred to in the prompt.
My young clients have been writing about leadership for years, well before a specific prompt asked them to. Most commonly they learn and demonstrate leadership skills through school, sport, church, volunteer, or community activities. Despite your son's aversion to clubs, he still has a brief window to throw himself into some kind of activity where he could LEAD, not just help, others. It's important that you keep your eyes on LEADERSHIP, if you want to check off this box. Or, and I'm reaching here, does he demonstrate leadership in his music making or basketball? Or, you say he likes to help others. How does he demonstrate that? Any leadership involved?
Finally, while leadership is always excellent for college applications, well-rounded is also. If your son simply isn't a leader and doesn't want to be, make sure, in terms of both applications and life, that he can still demonstrate several tools in his toolbox. Since the UC application is your focus, look at the eight prompts online at the UC Admissions website. Sit down with your son and talk about them, and if he can't imagine writing about four of them, develop an action/activity plan for the next six-nine months to enable him to do so. He needs to begin writing his essays by the end of Summer 2017.
Sarah Shankman
I can't speak to the UC system specifically, but my understanding is that most college admissions officers do not view a summer service or leadership program as anything of consequence. They're really looking for a longer term and in depth commitment. So if you're thinking that type of program will give your kid a leg up, you're probably wasting your money. If "leadership" isn't your kid's thing, that's certainly not a deal breaker. But at most selective schools, your kid will be expected to show "passion" or commitment to something. In his case, that could be his music or something else. If you have the resources to let your kid do something/go somewhere this summer, you would be far better off sending him to a program that will show his interest in his "passion." So you could send him to a music program. Look at California State Summer school for the Arts. Or you could try to help him find opportunities to lead/teach younger kids at a basketball or skateboarding camp. Admissions officers will likely be far more impressed by that than some contrived summer leadership program.