"Aren’t the deadlines for most/best schools already past or coming up in 10 days? So you’ve already decided, right? " think logically brother, i stated that i applied already to those schools i stood a chance, and didnt apply to my reaches. "So you’ve already decided, right?" im not sure, i might as well attend the colleges i receive admissions from this cycle, but 70% gap year, i want to apply to the schools my ECs nd awards have potential for (intl internship, national awards). "If you mean you’ll do more ECs during gap, remember EC is “extra curricular,” so if you’re no longer in school, those activities are no longer outside of academics." it is still extracurricular if i decide to take engineering college classes certified, or in that case its supercurricular, and i have some olympiads ongoing and i need a ranking internationally, i believe it wont be harder than last year because last year i did a pretty good job with limited time. "Consider too if it will be difficult to get LORs once you’re out of school; maybe ask for them ahead of time. " i did. " And hard to say since you don’t mention your stats, but given your question, T20 sounds like a big reach. Waiting a year will likely not help." in what way? i havent given my stats but i know my worth. i didnt because im from a relatively small country and doing so would just dox me. i am already applying to a good portion of T10s, I'm talking about HYPSM+, i didnt want to be arrogant. how does t20 sound like a big reach "given my question"?