[Knufire]

469 went a similar route. Instead of having formal leaders, those that lead naturally emerged and were respected all the same by their peers. Teamwork was one of the most important principles taught to the students; the team operated on the basis that everyone, mentor or student, was an equal member.

In terms of college applications, most of these student leaders (for the four years I was on the team) went to Michgan, MIT, or Rose to pursue an engineering degree, so I'd say the lack of formalized titles wasn't a detriment.

IMO, this process also avoided a lot of internal drama that afflicts other teams when leaders are chosen/elected for specific positions. It also reduces the amount of scramble when an elected/appointed leader doesn't furfull their duties; without formal leaders the responsibility natrually progresses to someone else.

To contribute to the original intent of the thread, 469 was roughly even on the gender split of student leaders when I was on the team. 5188 has always had a female team captain and non-engineering lead, and male mechanical and programming leads.