<p>I've been a bit worried about my ECs because as much as I try to gain officer positions in clubs, I haven't gotten a single one :/ (another great thing about competitive high schools)</p>
<p>The only things that I have which could count as leadership is being in part of a youth council at an emergency teen shelter (and if teaching counts, giving free viola lessons to one middle schooler.) I also do activities which are mainly self-managing, like writing articles for a local newspaper and being a booth technician.</p>
<p>In the worst case scenario that I can't get any positions next year as a senior, what should I do to make up for this flaw?</p>
<p>I don’t think leadership is a necessity so long as you’re outstanding in other areas;
I have a friend whos a complete genius and has an extremely high gpa, writes exceptionally well and has teachers who are in love with her, has won national art and writing competitions, and on top of that is a huge supporter of lgbt rights and has done a lot of work for it to show her passion.</p>
<p>I don’t think I can give you much of a concrete answer for this, but just try to make sure the other components of your app are as strong as possible</p>
<p>If you can’t get any leadership positions in school clubs to fill your time, then you should take initiative by yourself. I’m sure you can find something in your activities that can count as good “leadership.”</p>
<p>I don’t think “leadership” is all it is cracked up to be in the college admissions process. Authenticity and some unique activities are a lot better, IMHO. My D got in everyplace she applied last year, including U of Chicago and Swat, and she did not have ONE leadership position. She was the top quiz bowl player at her school (so that is a kind of leadership by example, I guess), but wasn’t team captain.</p>
<p>You can have leadership in nontraditional ways. If you are lacking in other areas it will probably be an issue but if the rest of your application is strong I see no issue. Nobody is perfectly well-rounded, colleges don’t expect you to be…</p>
<p>One of my best friend attends Harvard. She also got in all the Ivies she applied to. Did she have a lot of leadership positions? Nope! </p>
<p>In fact, in high school, she was active in only 2-3 clubs. Only had leadership position in one but it was because she created the club. Like intparent, she was also a quiz bowl player.</p>
<p>She spent a lot of her time on her grades but also done a lot of distinctive things like winning national competitions for art or debate.</p>