@parent600 I would just like to say that you are a class act, and so is your son. If “character” is important, I wish MIT had known how much he helped his friend.
I think it can be helpful to remember that colleges are building classes, rather than assessing individuals in some sort of hierarchical way. Maybe an applicant plays the flute, collects butterflies, or has hiked the Appalachian trail. I only hope the guidance counselor or teachers honored your son’s contributions in terms of tutoring math, science and writing.
Back quite a few years, my son did not apply to Bates because his best friend applied. He wanted to avoid just such a situation and might have felt worse if he was the one who got in!
I don’t know how you can help this feel better. I feel sure from your posts that your son feels valued by you, and not in a way that brings his friend down either. Time and focusing on his own school may help, and one hopes he thrives there so that this does not sting for a long time. Sympathies!