<p>You will probably find a thousand other threads with other people better equipped to answer this question, but I’ll give it a shot :)</p>
<p>Grades and Curriculum = most important! Take all the IB/AP/Honors classes you can handle (don’t overexert yourself too much!), and work really hard to get that A! I’ve read a few places that most schools prefer AP over IB, but accept either. They take everything within the context of your high school, so soak up every opportunity given, and don’t worry too much if your school only has 3 AP classes. </p>
<p>As far as testing goes, you obviously want to study hard and get the best score possible. Anything in the mid to upper 2300s is very impressive. Most averages at these types of schools are around 2200. It is not really unusual though for kids to get admitted with scores in the 2000s or kids to get rejected with near perfect scores. Just about everyone that applies has good test scores so they definitely don’t make or break admission.</p>
<p>Personal qualities/extracurriculars:
The applicant that looks the best on paper is the one who has definite passions. My advice would be to choose a few activities that you really love, delve into them, spend a lot of time with them, and get good at them. After that, you want to get involved in leadership positions! I think competitive schools are looking for students who take really take initiative. </p>
<p>For example, you’re really active in your church so you work with your youth minister to gather a lot of people to attend a series of youth conferences in your town. You set up a new monthly relationship with a local charity. Your youth minister has to move, but you continue planning the first-time mission trip to El Salvador for your church, etc.</p>
<p>Or your a techie who loves programming so you work at a local computer store fixing programs and writing new software. You write a Quadratic formula equation program for the calculator and share it with your classmates, etc. </p>
<p>Being involved in a lot of different things is okay too, as long as you show commitment to your activities! Try to avoid the laundry list of 1 hr/week clubs, and instead focus your time and energy on things you love! It might take some time to discover what you’re really passionate about, but just try a few things out, and it will come to you!</p>
<p>Lastly, maturity is something that I think is often overlooked. Having a part-time job, being a manager, etc. are things that demonstrate you are not just the typical high school student who is involved, but you are a mature young adult who really handles responsibility well.</p>
<p>Really lastly, don’t be the person who, when faced with a dilemma, sits on their butt complaining. So annoying!! 
If your school isn’t an academic powerhouse, pursue some college classes. If you’ve always wanted to learn German, find someone in your area that teaches it. Really challenge yourself, just for the sake of a challenge, and I think you will be the kind of candidate the selective schools are looking for. </p>
<p>That kind of application would stand out, at least in my book 
Good luck!</p>