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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I am an introverted college professor. I speak six languages and have written several books but so have no desire to be a leader. My kids are kind of the same way. Lots of very bright people don’t want to be leaders. Statistically it would be very strange for an entire population to be composed of leaders. Who are they going to lead if everyone is the leader? It’s unrealistic and stupid to give so much emphasis to leadership. [/quote]

It isn’t stupid to give emphasis to leadership because those are [b]students who are making school a better experience for everyone[/b]. You can be introverted and be a follower in many activities yet have one passion and you are a leader in that area. [/quote]
Being highly accomplished academically is the first step to be considered. After that, Vanderbilt wants to know how you might contribute and make an impact at their school (including your peers in and out of the classroom) and the greater world. 
 [/quote]
Any top 20 would want to know that, hardly a surprise, which begs the question: how does Vanderbilt differ from the rest, how they approach things differently (from admission perspective).  No one seems to be able to pinpoint it so far.[/quote]

I have a kid that just graduated from Vanderbilt. I think they are quite genuine about "leadership" - meaning they'll take the class president or editor of the school paper over the valedictorian. The Vandy students I met over the four years were all super nice, extroverted, and very driven. I have another kid at another top 20 school - one really known for the academics. Also a great school. But very different student populations. I don't know how Vanderbilt is able to identify its "type" coming out of high school, but there is certainly a "type."  [/quote]

Maybe via the letters of recommendation? Even at our public school with 250 kids per grade, it’s super clear which kids fit that description.

Then narrow that group further to include only those who take and excel at the most rigorous classes, and you have 5-10 kids per year, max.

These are the stars of their grade when you consider rigorous academics + engaging personality + school leadership. Of course their AP teachers and counselors go the extra mile when writing their LOR. And it shows when ED and RD results come out. These kids do phenomenally well year after year at our school.

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