<p>I've always been very shy, so I haven't had any chance of leadership position except for art club. Also, I haven't received any honor or big awards... Are leadership/honors big part of college admission? Can decent GPA, SAT score, and service hours 'cover' my lack of leadership/honors?</p>
<p>Strengths in other areas can definitely make up for a lack of leadership positions. While meaningful leadership positions can be very helpful, most leadership positions don’t really involve much work (many club officers do little more than hold the title), which is something colleges know. Really, they’re most helpful if it’s clear they require a lot of work or - even better - if you can write an essay about them (those often go hand-in-hand).</p>
<p>You probably won’t be denied just on the basis of not having a leadership position as long as you’ve done something interesting from an extracurricular perspective and distinguished yourself with things other than leadership positions.</p>
<p>Honors and big awards are also things that aren’t necessarily expected, but help if you have them.</p>
<p>Basically, they’re a big part if you make them a big part (most important ECs, essays about them, etc.) and emphasize them, and it helps at least a little if they’re there, but their absence isn’t going to hurt you too badly.</p>