<p>" for the moment, ask him to focus on schools that have ED 1 and ED II whose deadlines have not yet passed along with RD schools. "</p>
<p>Nooo. Have him focus on rolling admission and RD schools. He may not get any money from ED schools particularly since a top 8 school already has not given him any financial aid. The more competitive collleges are, usually the better their financial aid is. Since money is a concern, applying to rolling and RD schools will allow your S to compare offers. He probably has the stats to get some excellent merit aid at some second tier schools and some schools in the bottom half of the first tier.</p>
<p>For many students, an in-state public is their best financial safety – a college they know will admit them and that they can afford. He may have the stats to get merit aid from his flagship state school.</p>