<p>Well, as this year is coming to a close, various school club officer positions have begun to take place at my school. Currently, there are four clubs that I am fairly active in and have officer positions. However, this election year is strange in that a few teachers who used to make kids apply for officer positions are supplanting this process with school elections. Thus, elections have inevitablely become popularity contests, resulting in me losing an officer position in one of my most important clubs. This year, I was treasurer of the club. Regardless of this low position, I have won more awards through this club than anyone else ever has and worked hard to raise money for it as well. However, because I am not as "popular" as others, this year I was forced to take the position "assistant historian." So, will this hurt me in the college admissions process? </p>
<p>Popularity is a skill, life requires you to be sociable with others in addition to being dedicated to what you do. Using the excuse “popularity contest” is not really a “problem”. If you are relying on your teachers to appoint you your position, you are technically not earning anything. Stop thinking like you absolutely deserved the position.<br>
That said, a leadership position is still a leadership position. Be passionate about it in the essay and you will get what you deserve.</p>
<p>^^ While I agree with rugby player, I also disagree. In high school, it’s tough for a lot of kids to win leadership roles due to the whole popularity scene. There’s one thing being good at something and going against someone who is friends with everyone and “popular”. It will always be like that. Take elections for ASB or student council for example. The President or VP or whoever is usually popular with most kids at the school, thus getting the most votes. I just saw it a couple weeks ago. It was even like this at my previous school.
I doubt adcoms even grant heavy weight to such leadership roles now that they know it’s all based on popularity. BUT, clubs are a different story. Rather the opposite to some extent - excluding ASB since it’s about the same as student council.</p>
<p>High school elections ARE a popularity contest, in regards to ASB and student council. I’m pretty sure clubs are more verified positions. Popularity is not important, but being a leader is. Unfortunatly, ASB’s and student councils arn’t good leaders most of the time. </p>
<p>I like my friends definition of student council elections: A combination of popularity contests + bribery contests.</p>
<p>Case in point: One kid did not hand out anything this year for prez election. Another kid handed out ****loads of gum. The kid who handed out free gum won against his opponent. Suprise suprise.</p>
<p>I think you might be running your campaigns a bit wrong. I ran for StuCo president and although I’m fairly well liked at school, I was up against the most well-known class clown in the entire building and everyone loved him because he stood up against teachers and bought kids alcohol. </p>
<p>What I did was actually try to look as easygoing and “chill” as possible. I got people from different grades involved in my presentation and went around and actually talked to people a lot. I consider myself more outgoing than shy but I was still a bit hesitant about that. Still, if you’re up against someone really popular, you need to go beyond what’s expected of you. Listen to people, let them know you care, and MAKE PEOPLE KNOW YOU ARE THERE. Just saying “hi, what would you like to see happen in our club?” will help. Be involved and be engaged and people will see you more than just “the other guy”. Good luck! And yes, I do think popularity is unfair but you’ll have to deal with it throughout life so you might as well start now :)</p>
<p>Most elections are based on popularity to some degree. That’s true even of elections to national office. One can’t win an election unless people view you as likeable.</p>
<p>I’m surprised this is happening at clubs. At my D’s schools, the teachers know who has done and will do the work for the clubs/activities to function and know that if the kids dont do the work, it will be a problem.</p>