<p>He’s clearly “ready” especially if he has great academic prep, good scores and had experiences that let him live away from home (camps, etc.).</p>
<p>Still - a lot of us who have been through the trenches and survived (smile) advocate casting a wide net because schools don’t just look at the credentials, they also look to shape their classes and fill specific needs so a student who might not get selected at one top school might find a home at another. And because there just isn’t enough space at each school for each applicant that wants to go. </p>
<p>Also, the schools have different personalities and that will factor into the “fit” equation. We arranged to fly to NE over a long weekend and were able to fit in 5 school visits in three days (carefully mapped). It made a difference to see where my daughter felt comfortable, which staffs responded to her beyond standard interview protocol, and where there just didn’t seem to be a “connection.”</p>
<p>On the other hand - that wasn’t a possibility when I was younger and I went to Exeter sight unseen. So don’t despair. Just do your best. They’re all good schools in the end.</p>