<p>SluggerDad,</p>
<p>Some of the schools you mention are as selective as some of the Ivy League schools. I have seen these schools recruit athletes from catholic high schools. I have also seen top Ivies fall all over nationally ranked athletes with great grades from public schools. For these schools it make no difference if an athlete graduated from a catholic school with a higher GPA vs. a highly selective prep school with a somewhat lower GPA. The fact that your son really loves his school is the most important factor in deciding against a transfer.</p>
<p>I find your list of colleges interesting. For our athlete (different sport) your list represents a good example of an athletic reach (UNC), match (Duke), and safety (Vanderbilt). As others have pointed out this may not be the case for baseball. I would expand your list of schools to include more athletic safeties. I would also not be shy about encouraging your son to pursue reach schools.</p>
<p>Finally I would start working with your school and the NCAA now to resolve his eligibility issues. I would think that given time a reasonable solution could be found. The longer you wait the more difficult it may become to find a solution. I would get all decisions about this matter from the NCAA in writing.</p>