Is this because you or someone in your immediate family had Covid, or is it general pandemic circumstances, like remote school etc
Both - family member got Covid and hospitalized, school cancelled finals thus removing 15% of grades and making other categories worth way more. School admin. also put on a “hybrid” schedule where for most of the year, every class had less than three hours of in class instruction and we missed about a month of school due to snow days, vaccinations, quarantines, etc etc. Every class was really hectic and fast paced, and my grade trend does show that (straight A student before pandemic with a similarly rigorous schedule and all Bs happened second semester sophomore year when we missed most school/had hybrid schedule for the longest).
He didn’t have any publications, or a perfect SAT score, even though many of the kids who got in did. He worked with what he had, discussed his enthusiasm, spent time on his essays and waited to see what would happen. I would suggest that you apply to other summer programs as well, and not put all your eggs in one basket.
That’s comforting to hear! I’ll definitely apply to other programs like SSP and some in-state ones, and utilize my strengths to the fullest.