OK - so the reason I ask about cost - finding local scholarships is typically small and not impactful overall.
If your EFC is high (i.e. you’ll get no need based aid) and your parents can’t afford or don’t want to afford $80K a year, then all your still to come schools should be out. Even the UCs will be well over $60K.
If this is the case, you should apply to privates with merit.
I wouldn’t worry about Illinois State - was probably an easy app - so no worries. Everyone applies to a lot of schools they won’t go to - because you only go to one.
So your three you’d be fine with are great schools. So congrats on that.
Because you didn’t research, you have a hodge podge - if you will. One thing you’ll need to do is demonstrate why you belong at each school and that requires a lot of research…to sell yourself on that. Applying RD is tough - because for example, Penn just came out and said their ED class filled, what they expect to be 51% of the total. That’s a trend that’s getting more and more - so in that sense, I’d say no to all. But of all the schools, I’d say USC and Cornell would be your best shots.
If you need merit or lower cost, you might look at - and check admission dates and merit dates - some schools have merit but say you must apply by an earlier date to get it.
American U in DC - if you don’t like NY, you probably wouldn’t love GW or Gtown…you might. Gtown has no merit, just need. GW is like NYU no campus. American is in a suburb - technically it’s still DC (it is), but it’s a suburb feel and you take a subway to the main part of town. Gtown is set off a bit - but access to the main part of the city - even by walking. All are wonderful schools with obviously Gtown being amongst the best. U of Denver cross applies with Chicago and American - and typically gives $30K merit. It’s a solid Intl Relations school.
Macalester - a small LAC in Minnesota - has merit and is strong in poli sci with a global student body. Other LACs - Rhodes in Memphis, Grinnell in Iowa, Gettsyburg in PA, Occidental in Los Angeles. and Sewanee in the TN mountains.
UMN - you applied to Wisconsin, so why not? Strong in Poli Sci. Arizona State and Arizona are both good - U of A will be “affordable” for sure. College of Charleston for a smaller school. Elon, for a smaller private school.
I didn’t includes solid schools like UMD, Florida, Florida State, South Carolina and Georgia because you are too late. Well, UGA has RD tomorrow…the others have later RD but I know they take few after early. If you act quick, you can do UGA.
The point isn’t to do too many - the point is to find a solid program. and btw - for poli sci, you can find solid pretty much anywhere- from wyoming to beloit to - wherever.
If you are ok with UIUC and Wisconsin - and they’re both fantastic, no need to add anything.
But i’d assume you’re not getting into any of your plan to apply - not because you won’t - but because they’re reaches for all. Much will depend on how you package yourself to each school.
But I gave you other possible schools you can quickly look at - but only apply to schools that work for you. I tried to give you ones that are more affordable - if that’s important.
For 99.9% of kids, finding local scholarships will not put a huge dent into their college bill. The most money by far comes from the colleges themselves.
If budget is important to you, you need to find schools that are cheaper and/or have great merit - and your list is not that. A few (USC, Chicago) have merit - but it’s highly unlikely.
Best of luck.