I don’t think there’s much to increase your chances though. It looks pretty good. Just keep it up.

Oh, and you can’t really get a 4.5. While most high schools always count honors and AP classes with 5 grade points, not all colleges count honors/AP classes as an extra grade point. Some colleges count all of them. Some count none. Most will only count one or two honors classes per semester. So… yeah.

You will need to take either the ACT or SAT. ACT you should get within 2 points of perfect on all sections, and a 2100 on the SAT won’t cut it in most cases. You should get about 750 on all sections, preferably higher than that on at least one.

In terms of academics, take as many AP classes as possible and keep up the grades. AP exam scores matter less, but you should take them anyway.

In terms of extracurriculars, you need to be excellent at what you do. That means state level at cross-country, state distinguished at math competitions. I assume that your school has the AMC. Make the AIME, and the USAMO, and those colleges will be impressed with your math ability. Scholastic Bowl needs state recognition to be noticeable. If you can gain a captain position in any of these clubs, it will be greatly helpful. I would honestly add something else, like a philosophy club or debate or something, and stick with it for three years. Instruments are good as well, but it looks too late to start.

For community service, you must be consistent and prolific. Do something that you enjoy, and putting in about 100 hours a year would be good. It shows dedication. Even more impressive is a project that you carry out or get running, it shows initiative and resourcefulness. Have something that distinguishes you.

Your race is not a hook, because Asians are not Under-represented Minorities to colleges. Your chances at all of them are slim right now, because nothing makes you special and you still have 3 more years. Keep in mind that you want them to accept you, so give them something that they can’t refuse.

MAJOR EDIT: Your acceptance rates are STILL WRONG, and change my opinion completely. Those are MED school acceptance rates. You are looking at UNDERGRAD schools, since you are currently in high school. Those numbers mean nothing until you are applying for grad school. That will be in about 6 years for you.

That being said, please do research. The fact that you didn’t know the difference between undergraduate and graduate studies is not good at all. Your college choices seem to be the “cream of the crop,” but they know whether or not you’re interested in their name or their education. If you don’t even know how they work, they won’t accept you. Trust me.

For the REAL acceptance rates, check here.

http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/usnews/edu/college/rankings/brief/webex/lowacc_brief.php

See? They are about 9-10 percent.

Then when you apply—you can reference all your contacts—They will know that you are sincere. I doubt your ethnic background will have any bearing at Harvard since it is a private school. .

You could choose a couple of the schools and start talking with some of the professors.