Yeah, I guess the admission game is not exactly for fairness anyway, and the only way is to let it go and look forward to your other alternatives. Maybe the major choice is one factor that might impact, and the financial aid is a big differentiator.
I can understand why you are upset. Aside from the issue of whether your son’s friend should have gotten in when he didn’t, it hurts to see our son or daughter get rejected by their top choice. I agree that the guidance counselor could check things out for you. The randomness in this game called college admissions is maddening sometimes. If this college doesn’t reconsider, please help your son move on to another option. My daughter and I had long discussions about how no college was perfect for her, yet she still had to make a choice.