Test optional schools -- are they really? Which ones?

@bklynkids
My friend’s son had the exact same score as your son and a high gpa. He was accepted to Connecticut college, Macalester, Grinell, U Rochester and Brandeis to name a few. Some schools he did not send scores and some he did. I do not remember all the details. The problem with the very elite test optional schools is not just if they are “truly” test optional but their acceptance rate which is extremely low. At those schools kids with high scores are routinely rejected (for example Bowdoin and Midd). How would you even know why your kid did not make it? It could be that they are not truly optional for your demographic or that just he wouldn’t get accepted anyway even with high scores. I would also consider LACs that are looking for more boys (Vassar?)
Good luck and I am sure your son will have great choice next year.