Why can't you just tell him that he needs to apply to some other schools just in case he doesn't get into his first choice? Why are you so scared to talk to your kid about this? He is going to experience rejection at some point in his life and it is your job as a parent to prepare him. He needs to understand that he may be rejected and needs a back up plan.

OP - are you Denis McDonough (or his wife) and are you friends with Kevin McCarthy?

Because that's the only way he's going to be 'garunteed' an in.

Stanford has early decision. Tell him to apply using that approach especially given that most elite schools are a shade less stringent in terms of credentials for ED versus regular admission.

My son applied early at Stanford and was not accepted even though his academic record was better than that of your son - this was about nine years ago and I think things are even more selective today. But he went on to complete his MD and he is now doing his residency at Stanford. So you can tell your son that even if he does not get in for his undergrad he might still be able to go to Stanford for grad school.

His high school counselor may be able to lower his expectations in a way that might be more palatable than if you tried to do so.

Only applying to Stanford is a big mistake. You better get him to apply to 3 others as well, different levels (might get in, safety school, prob. get in, etc.)

My DC had 2340 SAT and 35 ACT, nearly straight A's, all the rest (APs, ECs, etc.) and applied restrictive early action to Stanford and did not get in. He's going to Berkeley and is fine with it. Stanford is extremely hard to get in even with a stellar application. It would not be wise for anyone to put all their eggs in just that one basket.

Ha! I had perfect GPA and SATs and I still applied to a few safety schools.

Your son might have decent stats but he doesn't sound too bright if he doesn't realize it's unlikely he'll get into his "only choice."

He probably has a verrrry slim chance. (I'm an alum -- who would probably not get in today -- and have had 2 kids apply; they chose another school.) Stanford offers restrictive early action; he can apply under this program, but, like all kids applying early to any school, he should have at least a couple more applications ready to go in case he gets deferred or denied and at least a couple more in the works. Good luck, OP -- and, remember, there are really a lot of terrific schools out there!

Definitely encourage him to apply. You never know what will happen. No matter what, you don't want to be that mom that told him not to apply (he'll blame you the rest of his life). Let him know that his changes of getting in are okay, but that it is too risky to just apply there. He's nearly a grown man, if he insists on only applying there, let him do it. If he doesn't get in, he'll figure out something else for next year. Untie the apron strings and let him fly.

OP,

First, why do you think he has a chance? I know two students with similar stats, one's an athlete and a musician, who got shut out of Ivies, Stanford and Northwestern.

The early decision option is a good one if that gives him enough time for other places.

Ask him if he would prefer to go to NOVA or (fill in school you think is realistic). I wouldn't even toss out UVa or Tech--just NOVA because that is the only sure thing. Then if he says (fill in blank school--like Rice or Miami or Chicago or whatever you think), then do it again until you have 4 or 5 choices. If he has a fighting chance to get into all of them, he will probably get into one. I have a friend who could have gotten into an Ivy but only wanted Harvard. Didn't work out and totally regrets the his narrow-mindedness and also kind of resents his parents for not telling him to be more realistic and more cautious. Instead they told him "do what you want" and he did and wishes they had been parents and not buddies. He turned out fine and went to a great school but be careful about trusting the worldly judgement of a 17 or 18 year old.

My DC had similar stats (2200, 4.6 GPA in MCPS, very good ECs, summer activities and leadership) and was denied at far lesser schools than Stanford. Did best at schools where the admit rate was 25-35%. WL at schools with an admit rate of 15-25%, denied at schools below 15%. Stanford was totally out of reach.

Tell him do his thing - he's obviously not a total idiot - but warn him that his @ss will be going SOMEWHERE to further his education and if that means settling for a last minute acceptance to Gallaudet then so be it.

It can be one of his reach schools. But crazy not to have other schools on the list. No harm in having a couple of reaches as long as he's got realistic schools and safeties too.

His stats will be on the low end for Stanford for this area and even if they were higher there are plenty of highly qualified kids who aren't accepted.

Let him apply early action/decision- whichever one Stanford has. Then, if he gets in, he doesn't have to apply anywhere else. Otherwise, he will still have time to apply elsewhere.

He is at a FCPS. His GPA is around a 4.2. His SATs are 2200 and his ACTs are a 32. He does not have any sort of hook at all. He has been very active, but not superlative in extra curriculars. I think he has a chance. How would you handle this? I certainly want to encourage, but do not think he is being realistic.