Why are some more peer than others? Evidence from a longitudinal study of social networks and individual academic performance

► Analysis of peer effects in educational settings. ► Longitudinal data on academic performance, friendship, and advice relations among MBA students. ► Process of peer selection modelled by actor-oriented models. ► Social influence operates similarly for friendship and advice networks. ► High performers are less likely to initiating ties, to be chosen as friends but are sought after as advisors.