It stinks, but at least not a rejection.
SCEA is just ED without the binding outcome. People need to see it that way. My kid took a huge gamble on ED and was rejected. It was hugely disappointing for him. But he knew he was closing off any other early advantage at other peer schools by doing so. As he said, no risk, no reward. He went all in.
Now he is in the RD pool at the other schools, just like your kid, except his early school is out.
All the kids deferred or rejected in ED or SCEA are in this boat. Is it worth it? To my kid it was, but to your kid, perhaps not. Maybe he did have a better chance early but was still deferred/rejected. It’s the chance you take when you go big or go home. I’m proud of my normally very safe practical kid for putting all his chips in. That was a b*llsy move.
Duke isn’t good enough for my little snowflake anyway!!! (Said momma bear!)