If looking at App state, he could check out Watauga Residential College (alongside the Honors college).
UNC Asheville would be a safety so not sure it’s more interesting than his current safeties but it’s been known as a very creative place located in an “artist colony”. They have Creative Writing as an English track and an Honors program. However I do think his list is well-balanced so an extra safety isn’t needed unless he likes the setting better (in fact, his adviser is right he may have a shot at Princeton) 