Yes, the proposal that he do a science project he isn’t particularly interested in just to impress colleges is also thinking about this wrong. Surely there must be something this kid likes, or has he been so pushed and suffocated by overbearing parents that he’s never been allowed to figure this out? Isn’t it odd that a kid who is supposed to be so interested in his education that he wants to attend a top college doesn’t seem to have any actual academic interests?
As a parent, in helping my kids plan their academics, I’ve tried to look at what my kids do in their spare time, as well as listening to what they say about their classes. Does this kid like to build stuff? Does he like to read (or write), and what? Does he follow international news, politics? Does he draw or make movies? Surely he must like to do something and that is where to start planning, not with a magic number of AP classes attempting to impress top colleges.