​COVID has appended a lot of things in academia and the admissions process too is a natural fall-out. College essays and letters of recommendation, are likely to carry more weight than ever in 2021 and the 2022 admissions cycles. And many essays will likely focus on how the pandemic shaped students' lives throughout an often tumultuous 2020. Colleges must examine applicants without the aid of standardized test scores for many – a factor that prompted many schools to go test-optional for now. Even grades, a significant component of a college application, may be hard to interpret with some high schools adopting pass-fail classes last spring due to the pandemic. Major college admissions factors are suddenly skewed.

Very pertinent tips! Must read for juniors getting ready to plan their essays!
https://www.thecollegesolution.com/should-you-write-about-covid-19-for-your-college-essay/

If a college uses interviews as part of the application process, it is because the school has holistic admissions. Most college interview questions are meant to help you and the interviewer find out if the college is a good match for you. Rarely will you get a question that puts you on the spot or tries to make you feel stupid. Remember, the college is also trying to make a good impression and wants to get to know you as a person.

Science

• American Chemical Society Project SEED (Multiple locations)
• Appalachian Regional Commission/Oak Ridge National Laboratory Summer Math-Science-Technology Institute (Multiple locations)
• Argonne National Laboratory Pre-College Research Participation Program (IL)
• Boston University Research Internship in Science & Engineering (MA)
• Brookhaven National Laboratory High School Research Program (NY)
• Brookhaven National Laboratory STEM-Prep Summer Institute (NY)
• California Academy of Sciences Careers in Science Intern Program (CA)

Biology & Environmental Science

• American Fisheries Society Student Opportunities and Internships (Multiple locations)
• Association of Zoos and Aquariums (Multiple locations)

• Bronx Zoo Teen Internship Program (NY)
• Brooklyn Botanical Garden Apprentice Program for High School Students (NY)
• Cornell Boyce Thompson Institute High School Internship (NY)
• Earthwatch Institute Student Fellowship Programs (Multiple locations)

Engineering

• American Society for Engineering Education (Multiple locations)
• Boston University Research Internship in Science & Engineering (MA)
• CIA Internships (Multiple locations)
• Cooper Union University Research Internship Program (NY)
• Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory QuarkNet Summer Research Program (IL)

For Silicon Valley/Bay Area/NorCal high schoolers searching for an awesome summer program or work experience.
Work experience is invaluable and rare among high school students. Interning over the summer is one of the best high school experiences you’ll have. If you’re still unsold, this article elaborates on high school internships.
Hopefully, you’re looking at this list around October, because some of these program deadlines will be very early.
My advice? Apply to as many as possible.This article will help you avoid the biggest mistakes may make in high school.
These internships are listed in no particular order.

Competitive Summer Programs for 2020 by category
Students interested in STEM have a bevy of excellent choices including Michigan State’s HSHPP Program, the MIT: Minority Introduction to Science and Engineering, or the PROMYS program at Boston University. Math-specific programs such as the Ross Mathematics Program at Ohio State or MathILy ay Bryn Mawr College are worthwhile pursuits for the quantitatively-inclined.

1. National Student Leadership Conference on Medicine & Healthcare
​NSLC gives high schoolers a setting to learn about controversial medical issues, today’s health care challenges, and advanced scientific research in areas such as cancer and HIV/AIDS. The program is offered at:

• American University
• Georgia Tech
• Harvard Medical School
• Northwestern University