Re: being an oboe player…the first thing you need to find out is if the college actually needs an oboe player in their ensembles.
My kid was a state ranked oboe player who also played in precollege orchestra and wind ensemble. In addition to studying oboe, she also played piano, and was in an auditioned childrens choir.
She inquired at every college of interest about playing oboe at the schools. She contacted department chairs, orchestra directors, and applied teachers. Some were very clear that they did not need an additional oboe or English horn player (kid played both very well). Others were more open to non-majors playing in their ensembles.
So…my message here…don’t count on oboe playing as being a hook…because it won’t be if the ensembles already have sufficient oboe players enrolled.
Also, you can be the best oboe player on the planet, but the colleges will want to know if you intend to continue playing in college.
I think you have a fairly balanced list. Columbia will be your reach, but go for it…because you can’t get accepted if you don’t apply.
Apply early to UMD. They fill a good %age of their incoming class in the early action round.