<p>I am applying for next year and would like to see if someone can help me with basic tips. My dream schools are Harvard, Stanford and Yale. I know of SAT. How critical are essays and recommnedation letters in the scheme of everthing? extra curriculat activities? I am reading that some got rejecetd despite haveing great extra curriculars.</p>
<p>Most get rejected despite having great everything. Every component is very important as almost all applicants have near perfect grades and scores. The true key is having a very tangible point of differentiation, something you have done or achieved that few others applying have. When you take out the hooked candidates, the real acceptance rate at these schools is about 3%-4%.</p>