<p>OK I could see your contention with calling any of the Ivies or UChicago a match-reach (even though I disagree), but Berkeley, being a state school, is much more numbers based then any of the other schools. Even if it wasn't, look at this kids other factors. 700 (!) hours of volunteer work, hardest course schedule possible, accomplished musician, student athlete. I think we can all agree that this is an above average applicant (maybe even student) at Berkeley. So maybe he slipped through the admissions cracks (or the OP isn't telling us about something important, like a criminal record/bad essays). I still refuse to believe this happens regularly at anywhere near justifying concern. And please, the University of Washington is one of the best state schools (just behind whatever top tier you choose to subscribe to). I also live near Seattle and I know a lot of kids don't want to leave, because it's such a nice place to live. Thus they turned down Berkeley, UCLA, and other schools of that ilk. This kid will be fine so save your tears for someone who didn't apply to any safeties.</p>