<p>This thread looks like it may go in circles. Maybe I should just say, the colleges want people who can engage. </p>
<p>And we should skip the word “passion.” if someone is passionate about oh, say, collecting marbles or painting designs on their toenails, you think that says something about them that the colleges will care about? </p>
<p>Some colleges don’t care about ECs. For those that do, I agree with mikemac. I’d add, leadership isn’t the same as collecting titles. It’s how you find responsibilities, put in the effort over time and have some impact. Ie, impact college adcoms can appreciate. Read up on the colleges you are interested in, see what they say about what they seek. </p>