<p>Unless you are a recruited athlete, Harvard and the like will definately want you to have the most challenging, rigorous courseload, with stellar grades (both GPA and SAT/ACT), leadership roles, EC’s and to demonstrate a passion for something, which should translate in your application and essay to an excellent fit for their prestigious institution, which has myriads of similar applicants…you need to express your individual passion, through your grades, courses, extra curriculars and stand out in some manner in order to make the Ivy League cut. It is not a cut and dry answer of take 4 APs over 6 APs, it is a combination of the aforementioned that will garner acceptance. </p>
<p>Ad coms at these type of universities are able to see through the fabricating or padding of your application, and are also able to determine passion, good fit and genuine desire to attend that university and be able to add to the community of fellow dedicated scholars. Most of the applicants are at the top of their class, top of the SAT, many AP, IB, etc. - shining through with who you really are on top of the expected qualifications is what gains admission over waitlist and rejection.</p>
I will take your advice to heart and keep it in mind. I think that I will find what fits me by TRYING out a lot of different organizations, but dropping all but the few I can find time for. Hopefully I can combine good grades and a rigourous courseload with that and end up an ideal candidate. There are some things that I really believe in and I will find ECs that fit them appropriately. :)</p>