Hi PurpleTitan!!!
Yesss you seem to know a lot about Europe too! You guys are great!!! I have spent 1/4 decade in France which has now surpassed my time in the US so I feel SOOOOO out of the loop…but YES I did my undergrad at ND in the US and was raised in America. Europe’s education is so much simpler but alas he ended up in the US! You are correct that the focus should be the ultimate goal—med school. Minimizing cost of undergrad and focusing on getting a solid GPA and education are the most important. Coming from this mentality now, I really don’t see “prestige” as being the main focus…just getting into a good affordable school where he can learn and excel. Honestly even going to a state school that isn’t as well ranked would give him the opportunity for an honors program??? Do you have any ideas for schools? Theoretically he wants a school that has a med-program so he will be around high level research and have access to top not lab facilities and shadowing opportunities… Prepas here are a waste of money in my humble opinion! 
Kids don’t really need it but their parents think they do! Lol!