I’m just realizing a big/small school difference now due to housing issues. In some big schools, especially those where most kids move off campus sophomore year, kids are already forming next year’s roommate groups by Oct/Nov due to heavy competition for the “best” housing.
If your son is slower to form friendship groups, this could be an issue at the larger schools. I’m hearing a lot about it right now on S23’s school’s parent page. I feel like many of the smaller schools offer 4 years of housing and the whole selection process is much more laid back.