<p>W.R.T. MIT:</p>
<p>
[quote]
* Applicants who have clearly demonstrated that they want to make a difference and help others
* Hands-on, technical types, people who like to invent and create
* Those who demonstrate unusual curiosity or expertise in a certain area
[/quote]
</p>
<p>The blogging about a particular field of science demonstrates unusual curiosity or expertise in a certain area. The student can then corroborate this with aptitude as measured on AMCs/AIMEs/USABO/USACO/etc. This provides a perfect recipe.</p>
<p>Even if the plan doesn't work for the student in particular (for whatever reason), it would still be of immense benefit to the student, wherever the student goes.</p>
<p>====</p>
<p>But wow, your school's format looks awesome. I'd actually take that over homeschooling. I often accuse people of "having a lack of imagination", but it's also conceivable that there are arrangements other than the traditional curriculum and other than self-study that work even better than both.</p>