Academically they’re a wash. These are universities with top 10-15 departments in science…and pretty much everything else they offer.
The universities differ MUCH more in climate, setting, athletics, social scene, architecture, college/house system, etc. than in academic strength.
Keep in mind that Stanford has yet to go need-blind for international applicants. HYP may be safer bets (and/or Dartmouth, Amherst, MIT).
I don’t know your normal writing style, but flowery prose is best avoided in college essays. A succinct essay wins every time.