<p>First, I want to reinforce Collegealum314’s point about bullet proof records behind research. The only weakness in my application grade/score wise was a B in chemistry and a B in spanish (and one B in french as well), and just 700 on the verbal. But everything else science/math wise was 800/5/A (I tried to compensate on the B in AP Chem with a 5 on the AP exam), so when I’m making comments about how research is more important I am assuming you are able to do well in classes. If you are having trouble doing most basic integrals and what not, then research is not what you need to be focusing on, you should be learning how to integrate.</p>
<p>AshwinSundar: Depending on where you go to school, you might have to take those extra AP courses to stay on top. The problem is that if you don’t take those AP classes, and have free time to do other stuff, unless you are very concentrated and focused, you are probably just wasting your time and not actually doing anything useful. </p>
<p>You shouldn’t think of MIT as some place you HAVE to go. MIT isn’t going to teach something nobody has ever heard of at the undergraduate level. You can get the same education and training at many other upper level technical schools. </p>
<p>It sounds like Person X needs to have a sit down talk with his/her parents. Most parents pressuring their kids very hard and creating tension in the household about elite colleges don’t have the purest of motives, know very little to nothing about college admissions, and are fooling themselves.</p>