I like post # 13’s last paragraph.
A kid can like and do well in so many diverse things but college needs narrowing things down to a major or two. The all around good student needs to focus the search for an area of most interest. By the time kids approach senior year of HS they know if they prefer STEM or humanities or social sciences or whatever. The college search reflects those, public and private. Do not focus on what colleges are looking for with this student. Instead, find their most/least liked things and use that to help them develop a college list. Most students fall into that vast middle- think Bell curve- pool. There is room for them at a good fit place. Remember that the schools your area considers top will often be unheard of elsewhere. Forget prestige- put the finances first.
I still believe the school is what is good for the student, not what the student can do for the school.