What qualifications can increase the probability's of someone's acceptance to enter

top-ranked universities like Harvard, MIT, etc.?

So you asked very specifically about MIT and Harvard, and we can generalize about some other
top-ranked universities.

Top universities want:

 highly intrinsically motivated and accomplished students, top students.

o I’ve seen statistics like: >40% of MIT students were valedictorian (top student),
another third or so were salutatorian (second top student), 94% were in the top 5%
in high school, 97% were in the top 10% in high school, every student was in the
top quarter.
o Harvard has several categories in which they evaluate students and one of them is
“Academic.”
 high intellectual curiosity and drive … like a hunger.
o Every student I interview has self-studied something. That ranges from
Microeconomics to Calculus to Physics to Chemistry to Music to a foreign
language. I would contend it’s highly common to self-study something (at least 1–
2 subjects).
 highly talented and multi-talented students. They have something to offer the
university.
o For top private universities in general, extracurriculars are the main way you
demonstrate your abilities — such as in athletics/sports, in music, etc.
o Sure, we’ll admit many students try to do the Science Olympiads (and especially
at the International level) — like International Mathematics Olympiad,
International Biology Olympiad, International Chemistry Olympiad, International
Physics Olympiad, International Olympiad in Informatics. Both MIT and Harvard
have highly valued those with medals from the international contests. (Harvard
was the top destination for medalists until about 2000 and then it switched over to
MIT. Still, there’s plenty of ISO medalists at Harvard.)
o At the same time, one of the admissions officers at MIT has said, “Medals
[editor’s addition here: i.e., from Olympiads] are not a prerequisite. Medals are
not something in and of themselves that we value. Medals are one of many ways
by which an applicant can demonstrate extraordinary intelligence, skill,
contributions, etc.” (So what you should do is demonstrate extraordinary
intelligence, skill, contributions, …)
o Athletics (in certain sports) is somewhat to highly prized. Of course, if you’re a
world-class cricket bowler or batsman, well, I don’t think that many American
universities field a cricket team. So that wouldn’t be highly valued. There are a
number of sports (American football, ice hockey, basketball, volleyball, soccer,
etc.) that are valued.
 leaders: and I’ve mentioned there are MANY ways to demonstrate leadership.
o you are friendly, outgoing sort that people love to be around.
o you are a positive person that influences people with that positivity.
 o you’ve been at an activity the longest so you have a lot of institutional knowledge.
o you’re the best at something, you are a good example and lead by example.
o you have strong organizational management skills so you know how to delegate
and to coordinate.
o you take initiative. Instead of complaining about the lack of clubs or
opportunities, you were a trailblazer. You started a club. You got friends together.
o you lead with inspiring words, encouraging people to do their best
o you’re charismatic
o you bring out the best in others
o you do what needs to be done.
o etc.
o Likelihood is good that after you graduate from MIT or Harvard or a top
universities, you will be regarded as a leader in your community or at work.
 students that align with them.
o Some of that alignment is academic: if you’re not a good student or if you select a
major (or concentration) that is not offered by that school, you and the school do
not have good alignment. You can’t study nuclear engineering at Harvard. You
can’t study social work at MIT.
o You demonstrate characteristics that align with that school. E.g.,
 What We Look For (Harvard)
 What we look for | MIT Admissions
Beyond that, each school is a little different.