Chance/Match a Sophomore [MA resident, 4.0 GPA, physics or math]

If you won’t qualify for fin aid, but your parents will not/cannot pay 85K/yr, then you really need to consider prepping for the PSAT in order to achieve a semi-finalist score in National Merit. It will give you a free ride at Alabama and Tulsa, and possibly open other doors for you. The PSAT is given in the fall of 11th grade. If you were to prep intensively for it this summer, you could possibly make semi-finalist. And it will greatly help your SAT score, too.

If you are thinking of Tufts, plan to show them a lot of demonstrated interest, to try to convince them that they are your first choice (unless they actually ARE your first choice, in which case you apply ED to them). Tufts is very concerned about yield, will reject highly qualified candidates whom they think are going to turn them down.

If your family, like many, doesn’t qualify for fin aid but is unwilling/unable to pay 350K for college, then really, your best option by far (if you don’t make National Merit) is UMass Amherst.