@NiVo i would urge you to read the thread I’m linking below. It’s especially important for students applying to mostly reach schools. It’s from 2007, but the thread is very on point. I realize you have a couple of schools that are probable sure things. But this thread highlights how important that actually is…and what a journey it is to actually get into the elite schools. For reference….this student was a top student in his class, top SAT scorer, and a NMF. He had great awards and such in high school, and took a very strong course curriculum. He got zero acceptances the first time around (@ucbalumnus will remind us that the schools applied to didn’t include a true safety). He took a gap year that was very productive. He applied to different schools and was accepted to all except one repeat. He got his degrees from MIT. But the story is well worth reading.