<p>@xFirefirex , @turtletime , @violet1996 , @noel597 , @billcsho - Thankyou all for your comments. Each one of them were very helpful. </p>
<p>Here is a question for anyone who is joining later: Do you agree with billcsho’s comment that I should be aiming lower for generous merit aid? I am currently hoping for at least half tuition from BostonU or Tulane University and full tuition+stipends from Louisiana State University. Is this unrealistic?</p>