Do you need to be president of a club (or clubs) to get into a top college?

No, you do not need to be the president of a club to get into a top college. While extracurricular activities can play a role in college admissions, colleges are looking for a variety of experiences and skills, not just leadership positions.

Admissions officers are interested in seeing how you've contributed to your community, pursued your interests, and developed skills and talents over time. This can come through in many ways, such as participating in clubs or sports, volunteering, working, pursuing hobbies or interests, and more.

Titles mean nothing in the college admissions process, but actions mean the difference between an acceptance or denial.

It is what one does with that title—whether as the president or as a member.

Colleges are looking for constant engagement, meaningful contributions, and identifiable results

Anyone can say they are president of something (or take on the role), are a member of a group, or be passionate about a topic, but far fewer can say they did something meaningful with it. Top colleges care more about what you did in to make a difference in your work—regardless of the title.

Often, I tell students that throughout the admissions process you want to “show” the colleges who you and what you have accomplished not “tell” them what you want them to take away.

It’s like someone spoiling the ending to a good book. It removes the shook and surprise to keep their attention and eliminates the fun is discovering who you are.

What's most important is that you're able to show a sustained commitment to activities that are meaningful to you, and that you're able to demonstrate how these experiences have helped you grow and develop as a person. So, while being a club president can be a valuable experience, it's not a requirement for admission to college.

For example, I often tell students that are the president of an organization to never call yourself one of the school’s top leaders but show them a series of examples of your leadership for them to come to that conclusion.

And if you don’t have actions and examples to back up the adjectives you have selected for yourself, then it is best not to include that in your application, as it will raise red flags. Rather, identify and write about other characteristic traits that you have many examples of.