How to Be a High School Superstar: A Revolutionary Plan to Get into College by Standing Out by Cal Newport
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
As the parent of two teenagers, this was a really interesting book. The premise is that to get in the college of your choice, a student should focus on one or two things they are truly interested in, rather than participate in a bunch of activities, most of which are designed to make you look good on a college application. (This is, of course, assuming the student’s grades and test scores are good enough for them to be “in play.”)
In talking unofficially to some admissions officers of these schools, this author’s premise seems to be in agreement with many admissions officers’ outlook on applications. The key is to look genuinely interesting, rather than trying to be all things to all people. By focusing on one or two activities, the student is also less stressed, and high school is a more enjoyable experience.
The author provides not only his premise–he also provides specific instructions on how to accomplish this.
The book is a fast read and contains concrete advice on how to follow through on this premise.
My only issue with the book is whether the backwards looking examples are picked because they worked out. (In other words, the examples cited are kids who get into their stretch schools using this technique. It is impossible to determine if this is a skewed data set or representative of such kids.)
Regardless, it is an interesting and thought provoking read for parents of teenage kids (and for the teenagers themselves).