<p>binary: your type of question often arises on this site. Basically: help me assemble a checklist of “worthy” things to do in order to get noticed at top schools X, Y & Z.</p>
<p>Academic excellence is requisite. Then, it’s not a matter of what you do but who you are. Already, do you affect others around you? Already, are you excelling in peoples’ eyes? Already, do you hunger and strive for new challenges and initiatives? Are you in the handful of the most influential sophomores in your school?</p>
<p>Kids who end up getting into schools like H are on a trajectory for excellence and frankly, admittance to a top school is just a natural outcome.</p>