Congrats on your achievements.
So let’s talk about cost first. You show a $90K max but $80-90K is a big difference so you should narrow that down.
Then you need to understand that some on your list cost more than $90K - so then you have to wonder - do I qualify for need aid? I put the Tufts NPC down below. Have your family fill it out - as they don’t have merit, it’ll tell you what the school will cost. If $80K or $90K is the max and it’s going to be above that, eliminate it.
Secondly, where you go if it’s med school you want, so don’t think you need to go to a big name. At the same time, you need to afford med school - so if you spend $80K a year (and U Mich, as an example is more), can you afford med school which may be another $400K and you can’t borrow near that much.
So if you are truly thinking med school, this is an 8 year decision.
With that, here’s what I think:
UMBC - great
Pitt - yes, you’ll get in - if you are happy to attend to the point that it is your top choice, then you don’t need a remaining list. Try to apply by end of October - so you can maybe get merit.
GW and PSU are ins - but I’ve seen Pitt and GW - so PSU is - not uber urban - in the middle of nowhere - does that interest you?
UMD - I’d lean in given your major. UCSD - why? And budget - UCs are tough to predict but they like out of state tuition. CWRU - if you demonstrate interest and can pay $50K+ which it sounds like, I think you have a chance. Same with Rochester. Wake - if full pay.
UF - you need to calculate your GPA - add .5 for Honors and +1 for AP. Your ACT is fine - the GPA range is 4.5 to 4.7.
I think you, overall, have it right in your assessment. But if your LORs aren’t weak - why? That could hurt, especially at the top schools.
Now you say 80-90K but your title says $80K.
Now, if it’s $80K, you have to fill out NPCs. But assuming your family has no need, you can eliminate Wake Forest, Michigan, UVA, Emory, UBC, Tufts, JHU, UPenn, and Duke.
Who would I consider - given your penchant for urban-ness, and keeping costs down. You go where your stats stand out.
College of Charleston - which Med U of SC down the street and kids do research there - you might be a candidate for the Charleston Fellows which is a sub group of Honors.
VCU - urban
UAB - urban
Lower cost schools - Binghamton / Buffalo, U Del, UGA (you have UF) and Alabama ($25K ish for you and has the McCullough Medical Pre Scholars - but urban it’s not), UMN instead of U Mich - great and urban and much less $$. Brandeis is another that fits your overall list and gives merit.
What is the LAC on your list? Do you mean Tufts? LACs can be great - and there’s great ones on the East coast - but won’t necessarily hit. But schools with merit could be from Washington College near you to Connecticut College to get you a better name. Trinity in Hartford, Rhodes in Memphis, Macalester near Minneapolis are others that should come within budget. Lafayette and F&M are too more.
Bottom line - if Pitt is your choice, I don’t see any way you don’t get in - but can you afford it and med school? If yes, you are done there is my guess - and either way, apply soon and you’ll have your answer most likely before other apps are due.
Lots to think about here. Here’s the other thing - look at residents of top hospitals like Vandy.
I wrote this January 8th.