Thank you @BKSquared for the strategy, I’ve been having trouble coming up with my point of attack and this definitely helps.
@joecollege44 @DadTwoGirls @momofsenior1 I am in-state in PA and that is why I am applying to PennState and UPitt. I will definitely apply for their honors programs.
The issue with affordability is that my EFC is right at/around full tuition, so I will be getting an insignificant amount of aid at any private college unless if I somehow get a merit scholarship. My parents are not really factoring this in, since they only care about prestige, but right now the most affordable schools is Pennstate if I get into their honors program (honors program has a 5000/yr scholarship). I have looked into merit scholarship programs at various private universities and I might consider adding them to my list just because they offer that (and also if I’d like to go of course).
I am aware that all my “match” schools are in reality reaches, but I have no idea what a “match” school really means for me. Would UT Austin or BU be an example of a match school? @momofsenior1 mentions above the 75th percentile in terms of stats, but I qualify for that for most of my reach schools, so I’m not sure that entirely applies.