<p>My reasoning is subjective because all your schools are great:
After your top schools, I’d rank Columbia first (NYC), then Brown (open curriculum), then Northwestern (probably easier to get into than Penn and Yale), then Penn (Philadelphia). You can also up your odds by putting Northwestern as #5 or #6.
If you got into QB, your odds are 1 in 2 instead of 1 in 12 for most applicants so odds are as good as they possibly can. Even if QB Match doesn’t work, between QB RD and “regular” RD (and SUNYs, etc, etc), you’ll get into a good school - and you’re right to focus on that match ranking for now. Do come back to let us know how things went! I for one am interested. (Plus, I’m sure it’ll have a good ending, so…)</p>