<p>Here's how I'd rank your choices.</p>
<p>Realistic Reaches:
Northwestern (#1 choice, considering ED, but worried about financial aid)
University of Virginia</p>
<p>Matches:
Case Western Reserve University
Ohio State
Penn State - University Park
University of Pittsburgh </p>
<p>Safety:
James Madison University
Miami University - Oxford </p>
<p>I'd take a look at Chicago as a reach. They just announced an initiative based on a $100 million donation to ensure that every undergraduate graduates with zero debt. Don't worry too much about specific majors as an undergrad. The most important thing for college is the overall quality of the school and its faculty and the overall quality of the students with whom you'll be studying. Michigan and Wisconsin might be attractive options also.</p>
<p>As far as your in-state choices go. I'd be wary of Miami of Ohio for a couple of reasons. First, the stereotype of the "preppy boarding school" is not unfounded. You would be going to school with a student body that is overwhelmingly suburban and upper middle class. For example, 55% of Miami's student body comes from families with an income of $100K or above, which is far higher than the 38% average for selective public universities. It's even slightly higher than the 54% average for selective private universities. For some students that's a positive. Just be certain that you know what you're getting into.</p>
<p>Second, it's very little secret in Ohio higher education circles that Miami is struggling to compete with Ohio State for in-state top 10% students. In response, they really seem to be focusing their recruiting (and discretionary dollars) on out-of-state students. For example, despite a 3.5% increase in the number of Ohio high school graduates in 2007, Miami's in state applications increased by only 1%. Out of state applications, in contrast, increased by over 7%. IMO, that discrepency clearly speaks to an out-of-state priority on Miami's part.</p>
<p>As far as Ohio State goes, even though it's going to be more difficult admit than Miami, I'm pretty sure that you'll both get in and get a fair amount of merit based aid. First, take a look at their "Land Grant Scholarships" which offer at least one high ability/low income student from each county a full-ride scholarship. Depending on how many students from your county are going to Ohio State, you might have a decent shot at this. Also, due to a 2.2 billion dollar endowment, Ohio State simply has more money to attract top students than all the other Ohio publics combined. In other words, even though Ohio State is the harder admit than Miami, you're far more likely to get more money there. If it's a positive to you, you'll also find a student body that's much more diverse in terms of socio-economic background, politics, culturally etc.</p>