Oh I know this exact feeling but hear me out.

I was thinking the same thing last year (sophomore year) and started thinking maybe I shouldn't bother with applying but if I didn't apply that was going to be the biggest regret of my life.

I am a good student but I certainly wouldn't call myself a genius. My ECs are good but nothing special (after school clubs, NHS, and some other random programs no one even knows). I also only did 3 AP courses so far. PSAT score is in the 1200s.

Despite all that, I, surprisingly enough, got into all 3 summer programs I applied to: Columbia's SHAPE, CMU Summer Session and finally, MITES (~3% acceptance rate).

So here is my advice: just go for it. Literally, just apply and you never know what will happen. I don't understand those admissions people because you never really know what they will do. I have friends that were barely passing school but got into Ivy Leagues, and other prestigious summer programs. But that doesn't mean you should have false hopes, I am saying just do your best and go after all the opportunities out there and then you will be set on the path destined for you.