Wow this sounds a lot like my son last year. My son had a tad better SAT score but not as many APs and nowhere close to all the extracurricular activities your son has and also worked. We are from the northeast.
Peers and especially guidance counselors pressed him to apply to the typical colleges up here (BC, Cornell, Villanova, etc). He wanted the southeast. We made two visits down and saw UGA, Clemson, Auburn, Ole Miss and Alabama.
He like latter three a lot more than the first two.
We planned a third trip FL to see FSU and UF but he said he was good with what he saw and applied to Auburn, bama and ole miss early. Got in a then applied to the honors college of each and got in. He narrowed it down to Auburn and bama as ole miss wasnāt a great match for his desired major.
After a lot of back and forth he chose Auburn which is the school based on our visits I always thought he would end up at. Knew it pretty much as soon as we started walking around campus that it suited him. He really liked bama as well but in the end I think it was a little too big and frat scene knowing nobody seemed a little overwhelming.
In the end Auburn was the right choice for him. I know things can change and quick but he loves it there. Joined a fraternity which has really helped him settle in, likes his classes, loves the football games, intramurals sports, clubs, the town, the size of the school, really everything.
We like as parents also having nice hotel and dining options when we got to visit. Such a great vibe down there.
I will say some of his friends went to ole miss and they love it there.
Suggestions:
Donāt visit schools like these when there is a football game, at least not your first visit as it is impossible to get a feel for the school itself even though it is a lot of fun. Maybe if you were going for a second time. But we went to an ole miss game and never got a great look at the campus as everything is shut down.
Honors college was a great decision as it made getting housing and classes easier. Put down housing deposit as soon as you can for any school he is seriously considering.
Merit money is also nice and he felt rewarded for his hard work in high school.
When you go down to the school do a tour and also go to his desired major if he knows and tour those buildings. Talk to students who bartend or waiter and get their take on student life. They are less scripted and more candid.
Enjoy the process. Looking back it was a great time and experience traveling around with my son.
Hope that helps a little.
Good luck.
That may include who is direct admit vs. who isnāt?