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<p>I do not agree with this (altho I love just about all of your other advice, mom2). All of the top 20 colleges are really great schools. I cannot believe that OP knows enough about all of them to know that he would be miserable at any of them, especially if he is a STEM-major-type. (My Ds would hate CalTech and MIT, because they are not STEM-types).</p>
<p>OP, have you spent a significant amount of time on any of the Top 20 campuses while school is in session, to know for sure that you would be unhappy there? If not, I would try for admission at all of them if your parents are paying, and see where the chips fall.</p>