<p>Definitely take the SAT. A lot of people do better on it than the ACT.</p>
<p>You did not say whether you are a sophomore or a junior, but you can start formulating a list of colleges that are a match with your stats by using the filters on collegeboard.com.</p>
<p>Check state schools that are not necessarily state flagships, but don’t rule out privates just yet. Particularly in the midwest, there are some surprisingly affordable LACs, often Catholic or Lutheran affiliated, that may meet your criteria. Often the private schools are a better deal because you are more likely to graduate than in a state school. Visit a variety of schools, public and private, and ask them questions about aid, particularly merit aid. Good luck.</p>