<p>It’s not exactly about “leadership positions.” It’s about showing you have leadership skills and experience, maturity and energy. (As noted, that’s not a matter of titles.) And, that you have held responsibilities- whether that’s as part of a team or independent of hs. And are willing to make commitments over time to some activity or pursue a variety of activities within an interest area- but also occasionally take a risk and try someting new. Or, do things simply because they benefit others. A combination of all of that works well.</p>
<p>The problem with just following your “passions” is that many kids literally do just that- they only think of what they like or what moves them. Top colleges like kids who can climb out of their own self-defined comfort zones. </p>
<p>They know that working at a soup kitchen or mentoring, being a museum guide, holding a job are a lot more involved than, oh, participating in one “good deed” activity. They know that some clubs are more chances for kids to hang out with buddies than do any good or stretch themselves. And so they look for evidence of what you actually did.</p>
<p>You don’t need a fancy attachment- just a few carefully selected words in the descriptions.</p>