A great book on how to stand out in the college admissions process without burning out in the rat race is:
How to Be a High School Superstar: A Revolutionary Plan to Get Into College by Standing Out (Without Burning Out), by Cal Newport
I have read a lot of books about the college application process (and have one kid in college, and one in the search process right now). This book is by far the most thought provoking and useful I have read. It is very much about how to avoid being 100% programmed, and using that extra time to go against the flow with some activities that you are passionate about.
