Perhaps you could compromise and meet somewhere in the middle. Although he seems set on these particular colleges its important to sit him down and explain your current financial situation. Perhaps you could look into schools that meet 100 percent of financial need. I knew someone who got a 35 on the act and a 4.2 and got a full ride to Vanderbilt. He should look into all of his options. With stats like those he should be able to get a decent ride to a couple very selective colleges. Chance me for mount holyoke?