<p>It’s wonderful that you’re helping this family through the college application process. The best thing you can do is to be the “reality checker” for them and keep them grounded as to which colleges are a true match for this student based on his academic record, SAT scores, finances, and social expectations. At this point and with the info you’ve supplied, the Ivy’s look like an impossible reach. Binghamton and Geneseo rejected kids this year with higher statistics than this young man. Please, don’t consider them as his safeties. There are SUNY’s out there for him and private schools as well. Loyola in MD may be one to look into. Marist College may be a good fit and the distance is manageable from NYC. Bates/Bowdoin/Colby will be very difficult for him to get into. They tend to accept kids with very high test statistics, academic records, and multiple EC’s. Columbia and NYU are also extreme reaches. He is definitely “college material” and there are many colleges that will love to have him as a student. It’s important that you help this family choose a college based on being a good fit rather than name recognition. Good luck.</p>