You are in the top tier of students. Still, prepare yourself for a crazy ride. You will probably get in to a school that surprises you and get denied from schools that shock you. Don’t get too attached to any one particular school. People will question you about how different Brown is from Columbia, and how could you possibly apply to both? Ignore all of that noise. This is a numbers game. Apply to all of the top schools that interest you. Start early on your essays, seek out guidance, and work hard on them. I think you will end up at a school that really excites you.