@basedchem I don’t know where you’re seeing a contradiction. Being popular means that people like you. How is that a bad thing? And how does it conflict with other achievements? You can be well-liked AND have strong academic and extracurricular honors. And in my experience, most of the kids who are voted Homecoming King and such DO have other achievements: they’re involved in school, they’re good role models, and they’re friendly and likable people. Their classmates admire them, and that’s why they get elected. Obviously, if that’s your only honor, it’s not going to make a big difference in admissions. But combined with other achievements, it’s a plus. If I was choosing between two applicants who were academically identical, but one showed evidence of being esteemed by his peers, I would probably lean toward that one. Good social skills and the ability to gain the support of others is not unimportant. In many fields, it’s essential. Besides, who wouldn’t want to have a likable person around?