<p>I want to second MC Mom. There are tons of kids with perfect grades and test scores, who maxed on the APs-and they still don’t get into their first choice schools because they couldn’t differentiate themselves. Meanwhile, the kids who took demanding course scedules, but left a little room for experimenting with ‘new’ subjects and following passions had less stressful high school experiences, learned more about themselves and still got into great schools. She sings All State? Good for her! That’s a major honor and requires a lot of commitement. She is creative and likes to write? Sounds like an interesting girl…I’d rather talk to her than the kid with 10 APs any day.</p>