Leaderless College by Bethany

Leaderless College by Bethany - March 2015 Scholarship Essay

I walk into Leaderless College and excitedly make my way down the halls to my first class. Famous for no tough regulations or strict professors, Leaderless College is the choice for many independent high school graduates. I quietly take my seat in the middle of the room and watch as the professor enters. Professor Duyerownthing walks to the front and announces that if we do not agree with the directions for the homework we may complete it however we feel best. As the lecture progresses, the professor requests that all of the students separate into groups for discussion of the topic we are learning about. Nobody moves. The professor is forced to divide everyone up himself. The discussion is a failure because none of the groups have an individual who is able to lead the dialogue. I walk out of class bewildered and questioning my decision to attend Leaderless College.

Day two is even worse. Today we are divided into groups for an upcoming project. It is awkward to be part of a group where no one takes charge of dividing the responsibility or introducing the other members. We try to work on the project independently thinking that maybe if we all work on it, each person will finish a different part of the project. It does not work. The next meeting is a disaster and an argument breaks out over if everyone is doing what they should be.

By day three I am desperate to see anything positive come out of my experiences at Leaderless College. It is not to be. There are not even any clubs or activities to join on campus because no one wants to lead them. After my classes are over I make my way to the library in an attempt to get some studying done. While there, I end up having an enlightening conversation. I sit down at one of the tables and soon a pleasant looking girl asks if she can sit by me. We strike up a conversation and I ask her why she chose Leaderless College. She laughs and quickly responds, “Nobody wants people telling them what to do. I’m going to start my own business once I graduate and I will never have to answer to anybody or have to control others.” I ponder her response then slowly reply, “But if you are running a business won’t you have to lead others?” “Hmm, maybe,” she counters, “but I will let them do what they want.” I begin to see that the general mindset of the students here is lazy and unmotivated. I am ready to make a change.

Leaderless College is not preparing any graduates for the real world or for interacting effectively with others. I have realized that to be successful in college, leadership is essential. I will make a change here and turn Leaderless College into Leadership College. I must let everyone here know that leadership is actually one of the most important skills, not only in life, but in college.