<p>I am a little confused as to what would count as leadership for pre med students. Would tutoring count? Being a volunteer? etc…</p>
<p>According to a med school adcomm who posts on another site—</p>
<p>Tutoring or TAing is not leadership. Neither is volunteering unless you’re a position of supervising/directing others.</p>
<p>Leadership positions are those where you guide a group of individuals toward achieving a goal.</p>
<p>My general rule was that if it was a position I was chosen or elected for AND I was involved with planning and/or leading an event or a group, then it would count as leadership.</p>
<p>By my definition, tutoring or being a volunteer doesn’t count. But being elected to an exec board for a student organization or starting your own or being chosen to mentor freshmen from your major or being a freshman orientation leader etc etc would count. I’d also count being an RA if part of your duties involved building community on your floor or something similar.</p>
<p>What about SI “leaders”? The SI leader shares a common goal with the students I guess? kinda-sorta lol</p>
<p>I was under the impression SI was more like TA? If so, I wouldn’t list it as leadership and instead would put it with employment or extracurricular activities. What does the SI do?</p>
<p>A TA is more commonly used to refer a graduate teaching assistant while a SI is more commonly used to refer to an undergrad peer instructor or tutor.</p>
<p>(LizzyM was specifically asked about SIs during her recent open forum. According to LizzyM-- regardless of whether you’re called a TA, SI or tutor, it’s not really a leadership position. It would be listed under employment.)</p>
<p>So tutoring even a group of student does not count? Oh well, I am still going to do it regardless, as I would any other activity.</p>
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<p>It doesn’t count specifically as leadership, but it certainly does count. Being a tutor or TA is a great thing to have on your application. I am going to be a TA this spring and I’m looking forward to the experience.</p>
<p>^I agree. While it won’t count as leadership, it still counts as something you’ve done. Plus it’s a good experience and you’re probably going to make some money or get some credit for it or something. In all, a good idea!</p>
<p>It’s absolutely counts for something. </p>
<p>D2 was a SI for 4 years in math and biochem; D1 was a TA for chemistry and was the actual instructor for “Acoustics for the Health Sciences”. Wonderful experiences for both. (And they got paid to boot!)</p>
<p>Well I’m not going to get paid, but tutoring has always been an interest of mine. </p>
<p>Also, I have another question. Does organizing a community service project count as leadership? Again, I ask because I am trying my best to not lack in any category as far as the application goes. And also, again, I will probably end up doing it regardless of the fact that it counts as leadership. Like everyone said, it must count for something, even though maybe not on a med school app.</p>
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<p>Yes. That would be a leadership activity.</p>
<p>Thanks WayOutWestMom!</p>
<p>What does SI stand for?</p>
<p>My guess is that SI = Supplemental Instruction.</p>
<p>^^Close!</p>
<p>SI = Supplemental Instructor</p>
<p>Does something like “Big Brother Big Sister” program count as leadership?</p>
<p>How about actually teaching your own course seminar for a semester?</p>
<p>I’d list Big Brother/Big Sister as volunteer, unless I was a campus liaison or organized a group of (say, fraternity brothers) to volunteer there. The reason is that you’re volunteering to mentor a kid or a group of kids, not to lead a group or organize a task.</p>
<p>I’d list teaching a seminar in the same way as I’d list TA or SI or tutoring–not leadership, but certainly worthwhile. If I were itching for something to add to my leadership list, I’d go with seminar teacher over SI or TA though.</p>
<p>Leadership: you were elected or selected, you led a group to accomplish a task, you organized an event or similar, etc.</p>
<p>Also under leadership–if you were in management or supervisory position over a group of people. Also varsity team captain.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, it does sound like making a checklist. DS1 has been playing tennis with the club. Would a club officer be considered as a leadership position? How would you rank such leadership experience against research, volunteering, tutoring, and shadowing?</p>