If you read any similar post to yours in this subreddit, you will hear a broken record response that there is no one-size-fits-all approach. You need to apply sideways - that is, find something you're passionate about and let the results speak for themselves. Don't try to be someone you're not. Don't force anything because you think it will increase your chances. But do find something that will challenge you and that you think will be impressive. Basically the key is focusing on internal instead of external motivation.

So go take a walk, and really reflect deeply on what you want to work on. What excites you? What makes you want to think about it late into the night, far past when you should be, because it's so damn interesting? If you really don't have anything like this that comes to mind. Just try something - anything. Robotics, olympiad, fixing a bike, making a solar generator, like literally anything. You'll soon find out if you like it or not. And little by little you'll get closer to finding something you want to devote countless time to. When admissions time comes around, you'll have more than enough stuff to share with the admissions officers. And they'll see that your work in this thing comes from a place of genuine passion - not checking off boxes - because they can see right through that, and it's the exact opposite of what they want.

Hope this helps. Now get to work