You aren’t getting the answers you want for at least two reasons:
- You are looking for something that doesn’t exist: there is no formula. You can get dozens of suggestions from posters, do all of them and still not get in. Read this post (written for applicants who were deferred) from MIT: https://mitadmissions.org/blogs/entry/there_is_no_formula/
and - You are asking the wrong question. A focus on the ‘top 25’ ‘top tier’ etc., can reflect a focus on the external validation of acceptance to a prestigious college- that moment when teachers / classmates / parents see what a success you are based on the perceived prestige of the name on your sweatshirt. There are (quite literally) tens of thousands of outstanding students chasing the exact same schools. They are just as outstanding whether their college destination is a household name or not. Read this (written for applicants asking what they can do to get into MIT): https://mitadmissions.org/blogs/entry/applying_sideways/
Believe it.