<p>Well, first, I’d take a leaf out of your parents’ book - you shouldn’t want to go to the Ivies because they’re Ivies! Make sure you want it for something other than its name!</p>
<p>First. Chill. You’re a freshman! Enjoy your year 
and the best thing you can do to prepare you for successful college apps is to develop a PASSION. Don’t pick your activities based on why a college might like them or find them impressive. If cup-stacking is your thing, then DO IT DO IT DO IT with ALL your heart! Be your school’s champion cup-stacker. Be in a cup-stacking club. Mentor other young cup-stackers. Eat, sleep, and breathe cup-stacking - and ENJOY IT! When it comes time to apply, show 'em just how good you are (and how much you love it) at stacking them cups!</p>
<p>Get what I mean? Don’t set yourself on “Ivies” - find a college you like, and do the stuff you like.</p>