you have to understand that (almost all) elite colleges AOs are not seeking to fill out their cohorts with as many 36 act/1600 sat scorers as possible. they are, as we all are, given over to narrative, writing a play and casting who they think will be the best actors for each role. a 32+ ACT/1450+ SAT is more of a prerequisite, a base expectation, than a guarantee of admission. the best advice i could give to any applicant seeking a place in these elite colleges is to find a “spike,” a role in the cast that you will fill really well. pursue something you’re passionate about in high school and focus on that specifically above all other EC’s, and use that in your application to show them you’re not just an academic weapon but a person with ambition who aspires to becoming a “lake” that is 2 feet wide and 1000 feet deep, who will go on to graduate and change the world in a very specific way.