I graduated 2011. If you have a professor you liked, it doesn't hurt to try to ask them. Refresh their memory who you are. Maybe dig up an old essay you wrote in their class and include.
The highest score is really the only one that counts at most schools outside of maybe Yale and the odd t-14 school where they preach a "holistic" approach and literally abide by it.
Yale/Stanford: the extra stuff matters a bit more than any other schools. At least that's the reputation they have.
The other 3 of the top 5 is primarily a numbers game.
@"The 180 Bro_OVO" thanks for vouching! David Busis's Admissions and Essay Writing course really is amazing. Everyone on 7Sage should pick it up. https://7sage.com/enroll-admissions/