Each year there are more and more students applying to college and not a corresponding increase in schools, so it keeps getting harder! Just for a data point for you, my DD applied undeclared everywhere, had a 34 ACT, 3.9 UW 4.2 UC GPA, NMF also at one of those top public high schools with 40+ valedicatorians
probably so-so essay, medium ECs (job, sports, standard clubs) - rejected at UCLA,USC, accepted to UCSB, SDSU, USD, UCSC, and Univ of Ariz. That’s all she applied to. My other daughter was accepted to USC the year before with a bit lower academics (not as many AP, 33 ACT, not NMF), but better ECs and probably a more personal recommendation letter. Good luck to you!