<p>I don’t think taking 2 APs a year is considered slacking and I don’t think a university will see it that way either, but I am not an admissions counselor! However I can tell you what I am doing this year. I am taking 2 in-school AP classes, and self-studying 2 AP classes (because my school doesn’t offer them). The ones I’m self studying, my school is still listing on my transcript as long as I take the test and everything. Maybe talk to your school scheduling adviser and see if they could work out something similar, because then you wouldn’t have to worry about looking like you’re slacking at all when you aren’t!</p>
<p>So you’re taking AP Calc and AP Physics and then 3-4 other classes at regular or honors level? What’s your GPA so far?</p>
<p>If you self study some AP classes, see with your Guidance Counselor that they’re “counted” either in your schedule or in your letter of recommendation (/mentioned). Which AP’s would those be? </p>
<p>Tuition is a small part of UMass’ costs - the biggie is the “fees”. :s</p>
<p>You should apply to a couple among RPI, RIT, WPI, Stevens in case UMass Amherst doesn’t pan out, plus SUNY Bing and/or Buffalo?</p>
<p>OOS public universities, such as the ones you named, will not give you financial aid (since they use it for in-state students) and you’ll have the extra OOS surcharge. Probably not good choices - unless you can find OOS public universities that will give you merit aid - unfortunately, for an ACT 30, you probably won’t ( a 32 is typically needed.)</p>
<p>Why in the world aren’t you interested in the Honors College? You get the best freshmen dorms and all kinds of perks! </p>