
Mark asks…
How is my college essay? Am i finished?
I am in the process of finalizing my main college application essay. Any criticisms of it or suggestions for it would greatly be appreciated. Thank you
What qualities make a good leader? Is it pragmatism? Conviction? Communication? Dedication? I cannot say for sure which of these qualities are the most crucial of a leader but I do know when a leader is poor. Last year, on January 20, 2009 I was given the privilege to travel to Washington, D.C. to see the President’s inauguration. The trip was planned for over a year to see the peaceful passing of Presidential power and the renewal of our government. Millions of people descended on the mall in Washington, D.C., along with fifty students from Ewing High School, to witness the historical occasion. As a part of our tour of the Nation’s Capital, the school hired a tour guide, a very tiny woman carrying a purple and blue striped umbrella. It was her job on the day of the Inauguration to take us from our bus on 2nd St SE to the National Mall, and safely return us to the location, but on our way back the crowds overwhelmed her. She was lost in the sea of people and the only part of her our group could see was the top of her umbrella.
This is where I stepped in. I had never been to Washington before, but I knew that we were going the wrong way. On our way there, I noted numerous distinct buildings and maintained my sense of direction. I told the woman I knew how to get us back to the bus and took the umbrella from her hand. Holding the umbrella high in the air, I began to push my way through the pedestrian traffic that blocked the intersection of D St SW and 3rd St SW. I led our group to the Bartholdi Fountain, feeling like a salmon swimming upstream. Once there, I waited for all fifty of us to reassemble, so that I could notify the rest of my classmates we were heading in the right direction and we would be out of the bitter cold in no time. The warmth of our luxury bus would soon end our two-hour ordeal.
This was not an isolated incident, but typical for my experiences to date. Like in Washington, I don’t always start out as the leader; I just seem to end up in that role.
Just like in Washington, I usually start out as a member of a group, but due to circumstances I end up in a position of leadership. This might be because the approach I have to school is also the approach I take in life. I have learned that before I speak and draw attention to myself to take the time to survey a situation, considering as many possibilities as I can and then present a logical solution to the problem. I always remain flexible and pragmatic and if someone else has a better idea, I am quick to go with their solution. I am very comfortable in leadership positions and leading has become second nature. When situations seem impossible and times are tough, I am inspired. Rather than becoming frightened when obstacles stand in my path, I am driven to overcome them. As a Peer Leader, the President of National Honor Society, the Key Club, and the Class of 2010, as well as captain of the varsity soccer team, my skills as a leader have only begun develop and I hope to refine and improve them so I may continue to conquer and surmount tests and endeavors to come. Whether it is leading a Key Club meeting, acting as a role model for freshmen in the hallway, or leading a large group through the streets of Washington D.C. with only a purple umbrella, I am always trying to make my way through the crowd to reach my goals and help others reach theirs.

Players Club Tours answers:
I really liked the second half or so of your essay, but I was confused from the beginning because you suggested that you would be talking about what makes a poor leader, when in actuality you were talking about your own strong leadership skills.
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