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<p>To me “fairly certain” answers your question. Fairly certain doesn’t equal guaranteed, so I think you have three options:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>As others have suggested, see if Mississippi State has early action/rolling admissions. If so apply right away and see if you get a fast answer.</p></li>
<li><p>Apply to Samford and take their money. I know you don’t want to go there but it seems fairly certain you’ll get in and with lots of scholarships. Worst case - You get rejected by MSU, go to Samford for a year and then try and transfer to MSU.</p></li>
<li><p>You find a safety school that at least meets a few of your criteria. It’s always good to have an option, just in case things don’t work out the way you hope.</p></li>
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