Concerned about ECs

Will 200-300 hours of basic volunteering make up for being in only 1-2 clubs to be able to get into a top tier school (ivy leagues, MIT) assuming everything academic is perfect (SAT and GPA)?

Maybe 1 leadership position in one of the clubs (no sports)

There is no magic formula for getting into a top school. If there was someone would bottle and sell it.

That said, the schools you are talking about generally have acceptance rates in the single digits. They must be considered reach schools for any unhooked applicant. Top flight academics will only get you past the first hurdle. The rest will depend on things we can’t see such as if your essays, LORs, depth of your ECs help you to stand out from other well qualified applicants. Is your volunteering enough? It is impossible to opine from the very limited information you give.

It is fine to apply to some reach schools. But also be sure to take the time to search out a group of match and safety schools that appear affordable (run net price calculators) and that you would be excited to attend.

@theconcernedkid College Confidential recently covered the topic in extracurricular which may help you answer your questions. Read more here: https://insights.collegeconfidential.com/extracurriculars-that-help-you-stand-out

The schools you mention are looking for accomplishment and/or achievement, not just the hours spent on ECs. Stanford, for example, says

There was a post several years back by Northstarmom (Ivy alum interviewer) about what constitutes impressive ECs from the point of view of the most selective colleges. The post is at The post is at [“Those ECs are weak…”- So what’s good?]("Those ECs are weak...."- So what's good? - #3 by Northstarmom - Chance Me / Match Me! - College Confidential Forums)