Here’s the link to the W&L thread mentioned above: Washington & Lee University: Expectations vs Reality
The most important thing is what are the pros and cons for your student? Which school seems like the best fit for him? (Knowing that the W&L visit is yet to come)? It sounds like he maybe liked Bowdoin better than Penn?
I don’t think that W&L is at the same level as Bowdoin and Penn, but what I think really doesn’t matter! I am sure he will do well whichever of these schools he chooses.