This is SO true! We went to an admitted student day with my daughter and asked a professor about the “collaborative” environment all the students gushed about. We asked how it was possible to enroll such high achieving kids and not have them feel some competition with one another. I can’t remember his exact words but he basically said it was because they tried to admit nice kids. Looking back at my daughter’s essays to this school I realize that her niceness probably really did shine through.
My point it not that you should write essays that suggest you’re nice person. Heck, maybe that’s NOT what helped by daughter at that school. Or maybe it hurt her at other schools. My point is that it’s NOT all about the numbers or a specific activity. Sometimes it’s just that something about you stands our or speaks to an admissions person. Just do your best to let your uniqueness shine though in your applications and you will hopefully end up at wherever is the best fit for you!