Advice on applying to a T20 (Ivy ,Stanford, Vanderbilt, etc) University as a Community College Student. VR&E

Hello to all,

I'm trying to apply for next spring 2026 and 2027 as a transfer student. I'm looking for some advice/ success stories on how you guys prepare. I was also thinking about using the VR&E (still in the process of applying)

About me, I'm a CC student studying Comp Sci/Data Sci with a 4.95 GPA. I hold an Associate's degree in IT, but I decided to pursue a four-year bachelor's degree. I plan to apply to a T20 University in 2026.
What did you guys do to prepare when applying as a transfer (from summer to spring)?
Did you guys use VR&E even if the University has a full-ride scholarship applicable to you?

Thank you!