There’s a 7 Eleven in Long Island that sells a company record of over 2500 cups of coffee a day. Their secret is a cashier named Dolores who’s been there 18 years and greets all of her customers by name. There are plenty of other places to get coffee, but Starbucks doesn’t have Dolores.
It’s important to remember that you don’t have to be the star of the softball team, the lead in the school play, the president of the student council, the editor of the school newspaper or the first chair violinist in the orchestra to be important to the group and impressive to colleges. Just bring a great work ethic and attitude with you. Use whatever role you’re in as a chance to do your best work. Don’t just go through the motions and do things so you can list them on your college applications. Give a good show in whatever you’re doing.
People around you will notice, and so will colleges.