Can you recommend some College Advice books about how to prepare in High School, from Freshman year to get into a top 20(I want MIT)?
This is the best I’ve seen, and I’ve read plenty – What High Schools Don’t Tell You (and other parents don’t want you to know):
http://www.amazon.com/What-Schools-Other-Parents-toKnow/dp/0452289521
How to Be a High School Superstar by Cal Newport
At our house we called the book referred to in post #1 as “The Book of Dirty Tricks”. There are some useful tips in there, but there are also things that will make you want to shower after reading.
I also highly recommend How To Be a High School Superstar.
Yes, sideways…
I have to wonder if these “build your own MIT ready kid” books are actually hindering the applicants. I’m sure the schools can spot the “processed kids” pretty easily. Not just from the books, but the $100k counsellors? Perhaps they shoot themselves in the foot?
Do what you enjoy, and take it to a high level. Don’t waste time on Model UN if you don’t like it and would rather spend time on an app that allows senior citicens to “fill in the blank” or practice ballet!
College Confidential. Seriously. Most blunt and real advice you’ll get (excluding the things you’ll find on Chance Me threads). No book will tell you how to live your life or give you step-by-step instructions on how to become a HYPSM student.
Like @HRSMom said, try to find one or two subjects that you’re genuinely curious about/make you happy and pursue those. If you’re going to follow a recipe, you’re bound to fail.
I like some of Cal Newport’s study tips, but didn’t find his book for high school students immensely helpful. The advice was generic imo, stuff you could find on CC.
Did you read the Superstar book? It has a lot of interesting thoughts on ECs and how to chart a course that doesn’t look like everyone else’s. He has several books, just wondering if you read a different one.