<p>You should follow your interests. You don’t need perfect scores, but it really helps to do something at a high level. If science research interests you, you should see if you can find a way to do that. If Robotics, Science Olympiad or other science related ECs appeal to you and are available consider doing that.</p>
<p>But above all remember that you may do everything right and still not be accepted. Four years ago, my son was rejected from MIT. He was accepted to Harvard and Carnegie Mellon’s School of Computer Science. He went to CMU and has been happy and challenged. The first day of orientation the Dean asked how many of the SCS’ers had been rejected from MIT - I think 90% of the audience raised their hands. MIT’s rejects do very well. My son is graduating in June and already has been offered his dream job in computer science with a salary twice what I have ever made. His friends are doing very well too.</p>
<p>I really think it’s better for students to keep busy doing what they like, not what they think colleges like and then sell themselves to colleges instead of trying to fit themselves into some idea of what they think colleges want.</p>