<p>
</p>
<p>Yeah, maybe.
However … if the OP’s friend has truly “weak” ECs, I can imagine him being shut out of some of the NESCAC schools. These days, it’s hard to say. He definitely needs back-up.</p>
<p>If you doubt the CTCLs are rigorous enough, look at your in-state public universities. Their larger size (and graduate programs) will increase the odds of finding challenging courses. For match schools, check out LACs in the US News 20-50 range or so. Unless this kid is very advanced in pure math or some of the hard sciences, I don’t think there is much doubt he can be challenged at schools like Bates, Colorado College, Kenyon, Macalester, Oberlin, Whitman, etc. Schools in this range should be very likely for his stats (but still not 100% guaranteed.) </p>