Reality check (private colleges & merit aid) & whether it's worth it to research/apply

Check out Case Western, University of Miami and SUNY schools (they give money to outs of state students). I think you should apply to lots of schools. Your choices are going to be narrowed down by the major. You don’t have to visit all the schools before being accepted. Check the CDS to see if demonstrated interest is required and do that in other ways if you can’t visit.