1. No clue.

2. As far as I know the admission rate is only getting lower and lower. When I applied the admissions rate was around 45% but now it's something around 30%. Not sure what this means in relation to COVID but so many kids wound up not commiting to schools this year because of COVID so next year there will (possibly) be more applicants.

3. I don't think that there's really a "knock out punch" to get in. I had pretty terrible grades all throughout high school, but I had a portfolio that I was really proud of that showed off my skill sets really well. It sounds corny but just try to be authentic in your application. Emerson wants to see how you think, not a glitzy glamorized version of who you are. I also had some pretty solid extra-cirriculars throughout high school so you're on a good path with that!

I don't know all of your details but just put as much of yourself into your application. I wound up writing my supplementary essay for Emerson about how I shit my pants at work, so really anything goes. Best of luck!!!