Imo, it’s better that you aren’t applying to schools that previously rejected you.
Visit ND, and spend the night in a dorm.
If being able to take upper level CS courses as electives is a serious factor, do some more homework: get direct, current, student input. You may find that it is difficult even in schools with bigger departments.
In terms of writing your ‘why’ essay, your thinnest argument is going to be that any of the T15s has an inadequate Econ department, especially w/o some indication that you are a serious (ie, advanced) econ student.
Have you checked out BC? it has a strong philosophy department. NYU and UMi do as well.