<p>Amherst is a bit of a crap-shoot. My dd had SATs several hundred points above, with at least half a dozen APs and is also black… and didn’t even get waitlisted after applying early decision. Yet I’ve seen kids admitted with SATs in the 500s, go figure. </p>
<p>Honestly, I would say Vassar is also a reach. I would recommend looking at some of the SAT optional schools (which I believe include Bates, Bowdoin, Hamilton and Dickinson); I suspect with his A average, he will fare well at those schools. He might also do well applying to some of the better Catholic schools like College of the Holy Cross and BC. (Keep Fordham on the list if he likes it.) My experience is that Catholic colleges/ universities like parochial school kids.</p>