This is the wrong question to ask. One shouldn’t have to ask where to get in ED2 because if one doesn’t have a clear cut favorite (and ensures it’s affordable), then they shouldn’t ED or ED2 anywhere.
So which is your favorite?
You are planning to apply for financial aid - but what does that mean? Did your family run the NPCs? Do they show an amount you can afford?
I believe NYU is need blind for domestic students but BU or NU are not. This means, at BU and NU, they can look at your need and factor that into their decision. So if the NPC says you’ll pay $10K a year and they’ll pay $80K, they can turn you down just for that.
But before you ED anywhere, your family needs to run the NPC.
Here’s the other thing - many people think ED helps and it likely does- but not as much as you think - because athletes and other invited kids are in those ED percentages.
Many also think - as an example - BU admitted 1936 in ED. 3268 enrolled - so assuming 100% enrollment of EDs (likely a tad less) but that’s 59% - so little left for RD (1,332)
Yet, in RD, they admitted - 6813 (or a tad more if less than 100% ED enrollment) - near 3.5 times what they admitted ED. Their RD yield was less than 20% - so they had to admit more than 5 times the amount of students they needed to enroll.
In other words, your odds are much better than some of the fear tactics they use (59% of our class is ED, etc.).
Full pay likely really helps at NU and BU.
My guess is and I don’t see your rigor, but you won’t get into any of the three. But that’s a guess.
But that’s irrelevant - you need to apply to the one that you truly love, if there is one you love - and the NPC shows your family can afford it.
Have you visited these three? Why these three?
If you like Northeastern, Drexel would be a likely and similar in philosophy and urbanness. If you like NYU/BU, GW might be somewhat of a similar. Then maybe Pitt. Of course, there are lots of urban schools from UMN to College of Charleston to VCU - and by urban, I mean, in the thick of the action. But of course, you have financial need. So you need a budget - and maybe do a chance me if you need help finding schools outside of ED.
I can’t see your rigor here to know what type of student you are - does it even make sense for you to apply to these - do you meet their minimum requirements?
What’s your highest level of English, Math, Science and Social Science - in fact, what classes have you taken in each.
Foreign Language - which and how many years?
Hope that helps. There’s not a right answer to your question unless it’s 100% the right school for you.
I might shy away from NYU personally though - because I think it’s more narrow in focus than the others - and not suited to your interests - at least when looking at aggregate #s.
Good luck.