<p>perazziman,</p>
<p>Didn’t your son apply for the WISE program? I think it’s too late and I wish I’d thought to mention it earlier! 
So sorry!</p>
<p>[MIT</a> Weekend Immersion in Science & Engineering (WISE)](<a href=“WISE 2022 | MIT Admissions”>WISE 2022 | MIT Admissions)</p>
<p>That program was <em>the</em> deciding factor in attending MIT for my son since he didn’t attend the accepted students day. He knew MIT was the right “fit” for him.</p>
<p>^sbjdorlo, No biggie. Chances are he probably would not have applied back then, even if he knew about the program. He would not have considered himself academically qualified to visit MIT at that time. (Same reason he did not apply to MITES). I think he is beginning to feel more confident now in senior year, after seeing his AP scores and NMSF recognition at school (principal and staff fussing over him etc).</p>
<p>OP, your concern is a lot clearer knowing the change in schools, but your son’s success at this change is a good indicator that he handled it. At this point, the rest is up to MIT admissions, who certainly know the rigor of the school and which applicants will succeed. You are correct that students in rural schools may not be aware of the competition. I know of two top students in my area who applied- but to my knowledge, no one from my area has been admitted to MIT. There are always several who qualify for Duke TIP in 7th grade, but I don’t know how many participate.
I think the admissions office will look at your son’s records and situation and make the best decision they can. I will assume your son will be accepted into several schools, and at that point decide what the best fit is. If he is admitted to MIT, perhaps sitting in on classes, looking at class syllabus, talking with professors and other students would give him an idea of how prepared he feels. His scores are excellent, but we all know that “fit” is more than scores, and includes his emotional sense of well being and if he feels he belongs there. By next May, it will hopefully be clear where he wants to attend.</p>
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<p>I looked at this link, and the adcom director at one point says, “Let’s admit this person. Who cares if she is going to get C’s in math here?” And this is U. of Chicago, which places more of a premium on intellectual ability than most other top schools.</p>
<p>The only disqualifier for admission to these top schools is if they think a person may have trouble passing the classes. We all agree that that isn’t the case for the OP’s son, at least for the GIRs.</p>
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<p>“Doing the work” is one of the favorite phrases of adcoms, as if getting an “A+” is the same thing as a “C.” Hitting 300 in high school baseball, (i.e., doing the work), doesn’t mean you are going to hit 250 in the majors. </p>
<p>Regardless, OP is thinking too many moves ahead. Wait until the decisions to come out to decide.</p>