Basically, at that level you’ll need excellent everything + something to distinguish yourself from the pack. That means top 10% GPA & SAT, strong and/or unusual ec’s, and good letters of recommendation.

Of course, if there’s something truly unusual about you, those GPA, SAT, and extra-curricular requirements can go out the window. The Ivies and other very prestigious schools just admit who they choose, and having a 4.0+ GPA and perfect SAT is no guarantee of admission.

Freshmen Academic Profile

SAT – Critical Reading Middle 50%: 690-800

SAT – Math Middle 50%: 700-790

TPR Projected Range SAT Writing: 720-780

ACT Composite Middle 50%: 31-34

Students in top 10% of HS class: 95%

Yale:

Freshmen Academic Profile

SAT – Crtitical Reading Middle 50%: 700-780

SAT – Math Middle 50%: 690-790

TPR Projected Range SAT Writing: 720-780

ACT Composite Middle 50%: 31-34

Students in top 10% of HS class: 95%

Princeton:

Freshmen Academic Profile

SAT – Critical Reading Middle 50%: 680-800

SAT – Math Middle 50%: 690-790

TPR Projected Range SAT Writing: 720-770

ACT Composite Middle 50%: 30-34

Average High School GPA: 3.85

Students in top 10% of HS class: 94%

Stanford:

Freshmen Academic Profile

SAT – Critical Reading Middle 50%: 660-760

SAT – Math Middle 50%: 680-780

TPR Projected Range SAT Writing: 700-770

ACT Composite Middle 50%: 28-33

Average High School GPA: 4.30

Students in top 10% of HS class: 89%