Don't listen to boatload over here.
I graduated from USC, first generation of a low income background, yeah that's right I'm a product of low performing ghetto public schools and immigrant parents.
You are saying this because of what your friends have told you? My experience was that USC was...
High school debate is a good extracurricular, but of course its all in how you sell it.
How many AP courses? Don't limit yourself, just take as many as your school offers...why you wouldn't if you're trying to get into an ivy league is beyond me.
About grad school, it might be easier for the...