Exactly. IMO the OP should focus on colleges with higher admit rates with exceptional honors colleges. Even then, there are kids with outstanding resumes and stats who are denied honors admissions at those schools.
Correct and will need merit to get at $60k.
There’s a lot of suggestions up thread on this from I’m sure an ASU Barrett to Ohio U Hinors Turorial which is unique for an Uber academic.
But it sounds like Wisconsin is in the bad so maybe trying a school like Case Western or Rochester could happen and with merit could hit a cost.
When you have one in the bag (Wisconsin), you can take chances.
Maybe because the OP asked for “reachy schools”.
My GS got into Rice 2 years ago with an ACT of 33. And he didn’t have super ECs. I also think that this candidate is very impressive. Based on intended major, admissions can be more or less difficult. A male interested in literature and economics may have less competition than a male interested in engineering, computer science, or business.
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@KV1, are you willing to disclose the gender you identify as?
I clarified what I meant by reachiness in post 76, by the way. It’s possible I did not do that perfectly. I should have emphasized more that all universities, irrespective of their selectivity, are useful. But a raft of rejections is not going to destroy me when I have UW waiting. When I get my test scores, I hope that McGill will also be in that category.
According to the CDS for Rice, ECs are “Very Important” to them. Other schools, like JHU or Macalester or Tufts, say that those are only “Important.” Is there really a meaningful distinction there, at universities of that level, in light of the fact that you, and presumably many others, know people with average ECs who got into Rice (or similar schools) and people with incredible ECs who didn’t?
I am a male. (In parentspeak, I think that’s an “S26.”) I didn’t guess that this would make a difference, though.
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I think you can include most of the activities you mention as “ECs” in your common app activities - especially the job. You have a lot more than “none”. I don’t think you need to write an essay about them. It may be worthwhile to put some effort into building out an EC a little bit over the next few months. Even just pick one more thing you care about and spend some time on it starting now through the fall.
Regarding $$$ definitely run NPC for different schools as others have recommended but I disagree with those who think you won’t qualify for need based aid. At the most selective schools - which often have tuition of $60-70K and a total cost of attendance of $80-100K - a family with “normal” assets and 200K income will often qualify for substantial need based aid, especially at schools that don’t consider home equity (or if you don’t have a crazy amount of home equity). It’s still really expensive because they will expect a hefty family contribution but you I would bet that for the most selective schools it would be under $60K (the amount you said your parents could contribute). Good luck!
ETA - as an example starting next year Penn provides a full tuition scholarship to families with incomes up to 200K (was previously $140K limit for full tuition). That’s the highest I’ve heard of but I know at least several ivies that provide full tuition up to about $150K. This is considered “need-based” aid because the cost of attendance is so high. Very generous though!
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It matters since women are applying to college in greater percentages than men; at quite a lot of schools, men have an easier time getting in because they are trying to get closer to a gender balance (and the same for women at some reverse gender-skewed schools like RPI, etc.). It also matters because then they won’t suggest Bryn Mawr.
People keep suggesting this in this thread, but it really doesn’t bear out in reality that way. People who make $200,000 a year very rarely have “average assets”. They have savings and 549s and stocks. Very rarely someone will have a $200,000+ salary and have, e.g. less than $200,000 in assets. It does happen, but it is rare. At almost all selective schools that don’t give merit aid (which is the vast majority of the T50) the COA won’t be under 60. Maybe at Penn and other Ivies, and a small handful of other schools like Rice, but it is very very unlikely OP will get accepted at those schools. To get under $60 with $200K income, he really needs to focus on schools that give merit aid.
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Every school weighs each portion of an application differently, and I don’t think anyone can know precisely how, say, Macalester’s “Important” compares to Rice’s “Very Important” in the context of the different processes in place at each school.
I do think it’s worth noting that “importance” for any school doesn’t necessarily equal fame or prestige - one can have a very impactful EC that no one has ever heard of. My D22 was admitted to Rice in Regular Decision with her #1 EC being “preschool choir teacher.” Not exactly Regeneron or Intl Math Olympiad from a prestige perspective, but it showed meaningful involvement in her community outside of high school activities and also related directly to her academic interests. I think it was a plus that unlike some “service” or “community” ECs that could be strategic for college admissions (starting a dubious non-profit, etc.), this activity was clearly a genuine interest - no one tries to game the system by becoming a preschool teacher. 
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Because you have and are ok with Wisconsin, then you can take whatever shot. Either you don’t get in or you do get in but can’t afford, you still have a Wisconsin worst case.
But the NPCs of a Rice could help you determine whether it’s worth an app - because while they have an income table, you’ll know if it’s accurate for you. If it shows $40K, apply. If it shows $75K, then don’t.
Hillsdale may be another one to look at - given your desires of rigor. I’m not sure it fits you personally - but it might for the things you seek from an academic level.
Good luck.
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Having savings and investments and home equity is considered “typical” assets for families with $200K income. For schools that meet need I’ll be OP comes in under 60K. Now, there are also selective schools that do not meet need. For example, my D attends a selective school that does not meet full need. (but they are need-blind in admissions - that’s different). That’s really the key - is it a school that meets full need. There are plenty that do, and plenty that don’t.
I think my original point is getting lost here: contra the apparent assumption of some on CC, it is currently possible for a student with 200k family income to receive enough need-based aid to bring the net cost under 60k at many private colleges. And not just at “super-reaches” like Stanford/Rice/Duke. Here are a few estimates of net cost using MyIntuition at selective but not ultra-selective private schools (“the level just below this”) for a student with no siblings in college, 200k income, 250k home equity, some savings, no other large assets/non-retirement investments:
Mount Holyoke - 51k
Lafayette - 47k
U of Rochester - 47k
All the usual caveats regarding My Intuition apply - only a ballpark figure, could change significantly depending on details not provided - but here I think the rough estimate establishes the point.
Incidentally, I agree that honors colleges at flagship schools have a lot to offer and can be outstanding choices for strong students, but I don’t know that OP would have much interest, since UW-Madison is already such an excellent in-state option at an affordable price.
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With you as a male, I definitely think it improves your odds at schools like Vassar and William and Mary (probably to the lower probability category of 20-39%).
You have received many suggestions so far. Are there any schools that have really resonated with you? In considering the schools suggesed, have some of your preferences become more or less important? (Such as whether it’s a location in a bigger city, warmer climate, or with a larger population?)
For instance, do Occidental (L.A.) and Trinity U (San Antonio) hold more appeal than U. of Rochester or Case Western (Cleveland)? I.e. smaller colleges in warm cities vs. mid-sized schools in colder cities? Or a Carleton (very intellectually rigorous in a cold smaller town) vs. a Tulane (mid-sized school in New Orleans with strong students but not the same intellectual reputation as a Carleton)?
Just trying to get feedback on the current suggestions so people can give better options for you to consider.
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Fair enough, but there’s reachy and then there’s below 10% acceptance rate. Like everyone else, don’t you think that OP would benefit from having a mix of reach, targets and safeties?
I don’t mean to speak for Bill_Marsh, but since I’ve been involved this conversation, my view is that because OP already has an affordable, high-quality safety option that he would be happy to attend, there’s no reason to apply to any school that isn’t definitively more appealing than this safety, which likely means only reaches. Even in the worst-case scenario, he strikes out with all reaches and still attends UW-Madison, so anything else is really a bonus at this point.
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OP has been given small and mid-sized schools, located all over the place, that are excellent academically, known to promote or at least support intellectualism and rigor, and are of varying levels of selectivity. Nobody needs to convince me (UW alumnus) that UW-Madison is an outstanding ace in the hole: any other admits would be gravy.
OP, if weather and location are indeed important to you, those factors could be used to whittle down these great suggestions.
NPC first, though! That should be your first filter.
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Being in a warm area, I realize as I evaluate these, is not so important to me after all. A winter a little milder than Milwaukee’s would be nice, but it is not a priority at all. I also realize that the size of the university itself doesn’t matter to me. Being in or near a city does, though. A suburb is fine; an outpost is not.
More specifically:
Some schools that I eliminated immediately were Reed and Hillsdale (too skewedly political), and WPI, RPI, and CWRU (too STEM-focused). I also don’t like L.A., so Occidental is out.
UChicago and Rice appealed to me, but they both rate ECs as “Very Important.” Rochester is in a big enough city, and Haverford and Northwestern are close enough to ones, but they all also have ECs at the top tier of importance. I don’t think they’re very probable admits. I wonder if an app to any of these is totally wasted.
The schools that have ECs at the second tier of importance are equally appealing to me: JHU, Tufts, Brandeis, and Macalester. All of them are in or near big enough cities. I don’t think any of those are probable admits, either, but I think that it is perhaps plausible that I might get into one of them.
As for the schools that only “consider” ECs, Ohio University and St John’s College— I am not sure. The Honors College at Ohio University is presumably far more selective than the university itself, but the idea of tutorial-style instruction is appealing. It doesn’t seem that this kind of experience is available in all public honors colleges, though. St John’s, too, is very appealing, with the small classes and intimate discussions of books, but I think I would rather go deep into one or two subjects instead of being an extremely interdisciplinary program.
Trinity College Dublin is, like McGill, another international school that I am really liking. I am not sure what my chances there are, but I’ll at least meet the entry requirements, I think. Also, I have family in Edinburgh and Glasgow and Aberdeen who have nice things to say about those universities, particularly Edinburgh. Those will probably take up three of my UCAS slots, but if I’m applying in the UK, I may as well try out Oxford, too, even if it is very unlikely to happen.
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If a school appeals AND it’s NPC Shows you’ll hit budget, it’s worth applying.
All the most important, important etc is subjective and you have tenure in a part time job and that may rate strongly.
If everyone says no - you have UW.
So apply where you are interested and where will be affordable.
There are many great Honors Colleges - from ASU to U of SC to UGA or KU and more.
Then there are special programs like the Honors Tutorial but it’s not all classes and rural, the Fellows at Charleston and more. Some schools have LLCs that will be themed in an area you’d enjoy and they come with enrichment and dedicated classes.
And no matter where you go, you’ll find extra lectures and discussion groups open to all. You have serious students at most every school and you have non serious as well.
But unless you have a fear of constant rejection - then don’t eliminate based on how they rate ECs.
Only use the NPC as a filter.
Good luck.
From personal experience, I wouldn’t be intimidated by what Rice says about their EC’s. They also say that the Essay is very important. I think that is what got GS in without exceptional EC’s. Judging by what you’ve written here, I’m guessing that your Essay would be excellent and would give the Admissions Committee a lot to think about.
I think that you’re underrating yourself. To be honest, I think that you are exactly the kind of student Rice is looking for. I’m guessing that you would have an excellent chance for admissions there. Hopefully you would qualify for the half tuition scholarship which they grant to families with incomes up to $200,000.
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I think depending on your course choice, you will find plenty of serious students at UWisconsin.
E.g. math 375/376, 431, 531, or really any upper level math course
The literature department will presumably have their upper level courses full of students who are similarly passionate about literature.
I would suggest skipping undergrad econometrics and take econ 704 or 709 as your first econometrics course
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