<p>The fact is that the kid should NOT go where he matches with ACT/GPA. He should go where his personality matches and where he can pusue all of his interests academic and otherwise, including present and potential. He should and deserves to feel comfortable with surroundings and student body. And nobody, not a single soul here can point out to this place. Kid should visit multipe times, talk to current students, stay overnights, even stay with potential sport team/band members. For many, even food service may be an importat criteria. If Merit award is available, good. The truth is that he gets something almost everywhere, but how much might be a huge difference. Schools that offerred great Merits to my D. do not match OP’s criteria and I have a feeling that none of them would. Eventually, after he realizes that, he will compromise, but maybe not right from the start.
Not sure at all if sending Midwestern kid to Miami is such a good idea, but that is me with the kid (not any more a kid though) who definitely prefers to be as close to home as possible even now as she graduates from Medical school. </p>