Gap year student

Hi My name is Salma, I'm 20 years old, and I'm from Morocco

I'm currently taking a gap year because I want to apply to colleges in the US next year. Right now, I'm preparing for the SAT, but honestly my current score is still low, and I feel a bit lost about how to improve effectively.

Do you think it's possible to reach a really good score by August if I start seriously now? I would really appreciate any advice on how you studied and what worked for you.

I also wanted to ask: as an international student aiming for top universities (like Ivy League schools), do you think I still have a realistic chance if I improve my profile this year?

also have some questions about the application process. As a gap year student, how can I present my situation in a strong way? And for the personal essay, how did you choose your topic and structure your essay?

One of my biggest struggles is extracurricular activities. I'm not sure how to build a strong profile or what kind of activities matter the most.

I would really appreciate any advice or guidance you can share. Thank you so much for your time