Do leadership roles matter more than participation in extracurriculars?

Leadership roles are like extra seasoning—they make everything more flavorful, but they’re not the whole dish. Yes, colleges love a president or founder title, but only if it comes with actual initiative and impact. Don’t panic if you’re not running the club. Active members who drive projects, support teams, or create change behind the scenes are just as valuable. Admissions officers are smart enough to spot leadership without a fancy title. So if you’ve planned events, mentored others, or made a group stronger by being in it, congrats, you’re a leader. It’s about how you lead, not whether your name is printed at the top of the roster.