@mom2and has good advice. The son needs to use this summer wisely. My daughter (with lower stats) was rejected from our state’s Governor’s school between Junior and Senior year. She applied for internships in a field directly related to what she thought she’s like to study in college. The internship was a great experience for her, solidified her college major, and formed the basis for her college app essay. She got into the college she wanted with merit aid (but not as much as you are seeking). That is where the NMF or NMSF comes in.
I think the college admission process these days rewards focus. Colleges (whether they say so or not) seem to be looking for students who know what they want to major in, have ECs that support it, and can write a clear plan for how their college studies will advance career or academic goals.
This is what I looked for when I was doing grad school admissions 20 years ago. It is tough on 17 year olds who should be trying out different activities in high school and use the college years to explore different majors. Some of the LACs (like the one my daughter is attending) are still committed to that model, but her admission process was made much smoother by having a clear academic focus.