It sounds as though his remarks strike you as dismissive; it's easier to say, "Oh, you'll get it" and move on to something else than to go into the preparation and concern that are involved in events like this.
DH and I are learning to walk a respectful line with our two sons. They're 23 and 20 now, dealing with applications to research positions and graduate schools, and a quick, decisive "you'll be accepted" wouldn't feel at all supportive to them (especially when some of these are opportunities with a 4% admit rate, yikes!). Both DS1 and DS2 were already sensitive to the difference when they were applying to their undergrads, so we've been working on striking a healthy tone for a few years now. It's an exciting part of their lives, we're grateful they're sharing it with us, and we want to be responsive to how it's working on them.
Now, my mother is 82 and an immigrant who is unfamiliar with the outrageous slings and arrows of life in academia. When she says something to either one of them like that ("Oh, of course you'll get in!"), they see she's telling them she hopes they get what matters to them and are cheered by her enthusiasm for their qualities and decisions.
