Can I get into top universities like Oxbridge, Imperial, Stanford, MIT, Princeton etc

I'm currently in Year 11 and am beginning to think about universities. I'm aiming for and believe I will get 9999999987 in my IGCSEs (8 in French, 7 in English literature). I'm looking to do Maths, Further Maths, Physics, Chemistry and either Biology or EPQ for A level. If I get all A*s predicted in my A Levels and those IGCSE grades and have the amazing extracurriculars, supercurriculars, personal statement, admissions scores, interviews etc, do I stand a good chance of getting into Oxbridge, Imperial, Stanford, Princeton, (Maybe MIT although very unlikely) and other top universities. I'm strictly looking at whether these grades are at the level of these universities. Like I mentioned, I am aware that with these grades I will need a fabulous set of achievements alongside.

I'm currently in Year 11 and am beginning to think about universities. I'm aiming for and believe I will get 9999999987 in my IGCSEs (8 in French, 7 in English literature). I'm looking to do Maths, Further Maths, Physics, Chemistry and either Biology or EPQ for A level. If I get all A*s predicted in my A Levels and those IGCSE grades and have the amazing extracurriculars, supercurriculars, personal statement, admissions scores, interviews etc, do I stand a good chance of getting into Oxbridge, Imperial, Stanford, Princeton, (Maybe MIT although very unlikely) and other top universities. I'm strictly looking at whether these grades are at the level of these universities. Like I mentioned, I am aware that with these grades I will need a fabulous set of achievements alongside.

I wouldn't put Imperial in the same list as the others. It isn't a true top 10 in the World uni, despite what the rankings say.

Isn’t it one of the best in the UK for STEM subjects 😭? Anecdotally, everyone I know who has experience with Imperial (current students and training staff) say that it’s brilliant.

I wouldn't put Imperial in the same list as the others. It isn't a true top 10 in the World uni, despite what the rankings say.

I'm currently in Year 11 and am beginning to think about universities. I'm aiming for and believe I will get 9999999987 in my IGCSEs (8 in French, 7 in English literature). I'm looking to do Maths, Further Maths, Physics, Chemistry and either Biology or EPQ for A level. If I get all A*s predicted in my A Levels and those IGCSE grades and have the amazing extracurriculars, supercurriculars, personal statement, admissions scores, interviews etc, do I stand a good chance of getting into Oxbridge, Imperial, Stanford, Princeton, (Maybe MIT although very unlikely) and other top universities. I'm strictly looking at whether these grades are at the level of these universities. Like I mentioned, I am aware that with these grades I will need a fabulous set of achievements alongside.

All these unis have their advantages and disadvantages. Imo, the advantage of Imperial especially uniquely in the UK is that you're not bogged down with funding going to the humanities and live in a stem focused world, which is the same disadvantage that the others on the list have (except MIT). Yes, the campus isn't great, especially compared to Oxbridge and Stanford, facilities could be better, ... , but research output, teaching and sense of academic community are all amazing. I think that's what the rankings are getting at and it's not as simple as just being a "top 10" or based solely on "prestige" etc etc. Rankings, by their very nature, are subjective and prospective undergrads would do well to remember that and not be blinded by prestige when choosing between their offers.

As above, please remember that 'league tables' are essentially marketing fluff. They don't mean anything significant in the real world, whatever your school tries to tell you. And, rankings can never tell you if you will like being at that Uni, or enjoy that course.

You stand a very good chance, but do NOT do 5 a levels. It gives you no advantage and just makes it less likely that you’ll do well in your other subjects. You will spread yourself too thin. You’re better getting 3 or 4 really solid A*s if that’s what you think you can achieve, than getting 5 much lower grades. Universities don’t really care about the number of a levels, just the scores and extra/supercurriculars. You will have a very good chance if you succeed at the other stages of the application, just don’t wear yourself too thin. Hope this helps!

No one can tell you this except the unis themselves after you apply.
Don’t get hung up on uni prestige. You don’t need 5 A levels. The only person I know who applied with 5 A levels got rejected pre-interview (though they were a brilliant candidate), so I guess it shows that it really does not matter. Even with a “perfect” application, people can still be rejected because it does depend on luck to an extent.
Focus on what subject you want to study at undergrad as opposed to focusing on xyz uni. With Oxford/Cambridge, it be evident as to whether you have a genuine love for your subject during the interviews. You don’t need “perfect” stats (all 9s, exceptional admissions test scores, awards, all A*s, etc) btw. Very best of luck for your IGCSEs!

the only a-level students I know that got into harvard did 5 and 6 and scored well in them. this is probably important for stanford and MIT too because they factor high school rigor, but if you spend time studying for these 5 you could be paying the opportunity cost of amazing extracurriculars and achievements.
ONLY do it if you can breeze through the subjects with minimal/zero studying. academic excellence definitely isnt bad unless it substracts time from the rest of ur application.
you might realize in a level with that exact combination (which im currently taking, and epq too like u are), might actually be easier than igcses (so many subjects etc)
getting A*s and 100%s has been significantly easier for me this year because I love and have an aptitude for maths n science. which gave me so so much time to do other stuff. if you feel the same, I think its worth for US.
THIS IS NOT THE CASE FOR THE UK!! AT ALL!! nothing beyond 4 makes a difference (at most maths, fm, phys, chem for STEM).
I highly highly recommend just focusing on either UK or US. I started off trying to be a competitive applicant for both, and now I’m focusing on being a UK applicant more, because you’re likely to be more successful rather than trying to be two very different people.
one of my mates in y13 just got into stanford, princeton yale and 3 other ivys. he got interview from oxford but felt even if he got it he wouldnt go, so all that UK prep wasnt worth it (although he was successful at both, which is insane, it took a LOT of time)

Appreciate it. So you believe the grades are enough? At worst, I could get 9999999887 in my GCSEs.

Thank you very much! I guess if I do a lot of supercurriculars and other stuff and potentially 5 A levels, doing well in them, whilst perfecting my personal statement, preparing to do well in interviews and admissions tests, I would be both a UK and US student?

You stand a very good chance, but do NOT do 5 a levels. It gives you no advantage and just makes it less likely that you’ll do well in your other subjects. You will spread yourself too thin. You’re better getting 3 or 4 really solid A*s if that’s what you think you can achieve, than getting 5 much lower grades. Universities don’t really care about the number of a levels, just the scores and extra/supercurriculars. You will have a very good chance if you succeed at the other stages of the application, just don’t wear yourself too thin. Hope this helps!

I’m doing my GCSEs rn and my expectations have reduced to say the least😅😅Would 9999999876 be good enough?