EVERY kid should start by finding two schools where they have a very very strong likelihood of acceptance that they like, that are affordable. Once those two sure things are found, then build the list UP from there.
You should have a candid discussion about finances with your son.
I’m going to link a thread here. I would suggest you and he read the whole thing. The kid in the thread was class val, tippy top grades, NMF, great ECs and great LORs. And essays. No one expected he would be rejected from every college he applied to the first time, but that is what happened. He really didn’t have a sure thing for admission. But this kid on the thread was a very very strong student.
This kid did land on his feet after taking a gap year after high school graduation. But it was not the end of senior year he expected, or wanted.
You don’t want your kid to be in this situation his senior year of high school…and he should not want that either. Thus the suggestion to find two sure things. If they have rolling admissions all the better.
Here is that thread: