“Depth, breath, progression, and commitment.” Very good. But I’d add, “relevant.” And showing some stretch. You’re applying to top colleges, they pick the kids who meet their expectations. If you don’t like their rules, opt out, take those colleges off your list, don’t apply.
If a college expects stem wannabes to have some math-sci ECs, and you don’t have them, there are no make-up points for, “Yeah, but he was really, really into xxx.”
Imo, that’s not sad, it’s savvy. You’re not applying to go to a better high school. You’re attemptng to make the college leap- and to some mighty competitive ones.
No, you do not need national or international awards. Yes, you need balance.
-What you do primarily based on your own interests (hobbies, side lines, the pie club. This does include involvement in ECs for that major that supposedly “interests you.”)
- What you do for/with your groups (peers, religious, sports, music, whatever it is. It shows engagement.)
-And what you do for your community, for the needs around you, directly.
Just doing what you want can’t cover it all.