Please read this thread. This extremely well qualified student applied to some very top schools…but no real sure thing the first time. He wasn’t accepted anywhere…took a great gap year and was subsequently accepted to MIT as well as all the other new applications he submitted (was denied admission to two repeat applications). He matriculated and graduated from MIT.
But that happy ending came only after enduring all rejections his senior year in high school.
But please read his story…it’s a must read for anyone applying to top schools only.