<p>It’s unclear as to what the OP’s financial situation is.</p>
<p>he says that he can afford $30k and will “apply” for merit to pay the rest. That suggests that he won’t qualify for need-based aid (or enough) from a school like Rice or other top privates.</p>
<p>Rice and similar would not give him merit…certainly not $20k+ per year. </p>
<p>He needs to strategize otherwise he could end up with unaffordable acceptances.</p>