Understanding the Superstar Effect

What role does the Superstar Effect play in college admissions?

• It ensures that students interested in art and popular culture receive a higher share of the rewards.

• It leads to an equal distribution of rewards among students with similar achievements.

• The best performers attract a larger audience, leading to disproportionate college acceptance results.

• It results in less talented students being favored over others.

What is Michael Silverman's approach to extracurricular activities?

• He joined several clubs and became a leader in many of them.

• He participated in every sport offered at school.

• He focused on one major project related to environmental sustainability.

• He balanced multiple leadership roles in student government and other groups.

What did Michael think about the importance of third-party recognition for his efforts?

• He believed it was unnecessary and preferred personal recognition.

• He thought it helped make his work more visible and valuable, especially for college admissions.

• He was indifferent to public recognition and just focused on his projects.

• He thought third-party recognition was a distraction.

What was Michael's 'tagline' on his website?

• "The Green Innovator"

• "The Solar Power Pro"

• "The Green Machine"

• "The Sustainability Student"

How did Michael first get involved with environmental sustainability projects? What was his first major step?

• He won the grant to convert a golf cart to run on biodiesel.

• He was inducted into the school's highly competitive sustainability club.

• He won the grant to install the solar panels.

• He organized his school's Earth Day celebration in the spring.

What is the risk associated with attempting to become valedictorian, according to the Superstar Effect?

• It requires excessive effort and may lead to burnout without a guaranteed reward.

• It may not significantly improve a student's college admissions chances.

• It results in fewer scholarships being awarded.

• It is easier to become valedictorian than to excel in other activities.

How does the Superstar Effect apply to extracurricular activities?

• Students who excel in multiple activities but are not the best in any one of them are most favored.

• The best student in one extracurricular pursuit receives the greatest rewards.

• Only the quantity of extracurricular activities matters in college admissions.

• Extracurricular activities do not influence college admissions significantly.

What did the author suggest Vadim do in order to take his Ping Pong interest to the next level?

• Using his skills as an excuse to travel to China and connect with student-aged players of the sport.

• Starting a Ping Pong-themed YouTube channel to share tips and tutorials.

• Choose sports over academics and extracurricular activities.

• Using China-themed red flags to connect his sport with artistic expression.

Why does the author describe the superstar effect as a 'double-edged sword'?

• Because it rewards those who become the best, but punishes those who come close without achieving the top spot.

• Because it only rewards valedictorians and ignores those who excel in other areas of life.

• Because it benefits everyone who tries to become valedictorian, regardless of their performance.

• Because it makes it easy for anyone to become valedictorian without much effort.

What is the author's main insight behind the advice 'doing less can make you more impressive'?

• Focusing on everything at once demonstrates greater versatility and impresses others by showing strong time-management skills.

• Conquering one activity can be much easier than excelling in many.

• The key to success is mastering as many activities as possible at once.

• Colleges prefer students with an amicable personality and a vibrant social life, rather than those who focus solely on their personal passions.