<p>There really isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. First, think of how much time you have to invest in the college admissions process- adding one school generally adds 2 essays (you should be able to reuse a few but make sure you edit them thoroughly) and you have the common app essay on top.</p>
<p>Then, go tier-by-tier, starting with Safeties first:</p>
<p>Safety: Add enough so that you’re 95% certain you’ll get into at least one on favorable financial terms</p>
<p>OU has a really nice National Merit package so it looks like that covers it for you. Kansas is a decent extra in there; is there a guarantee of admission for National Merit Finalists? If so, you might be able to survive on a one-safety list (I’m in Texas, and the top-7% rule at UT-Austin really helped since I could weigh my options before even applying and only needed to spend time/money applying to one safety).</p>
<p>Match: Add enough so that you’re 70%+ confident that you won’t be stuck at your safety school without a compelling offer of financial aid. Adjust as needed if you feel that finances are a constraint.</p>
<p>NYU and Emory seem to fill this designation pretty well. I’d include WUSTL- just be sure to demonstrate interest so they don’t waitlist you due to Tufts Syndrome.</p>
<p>Reach: Fill up the rest of your slots with these to maximize your chances. Make sure to put in as much work as you can on each application.</p>
<p>Brown, Harvard, and Georgetown (a low-reach unless you’re applying for a hypercompetitive major) fill these roles nicely; feel free to expand here if you feel you can pull off more than 8 applications. </p>
<p>You have solid odds (especially since you took 14 credits on your own- that’s initiative!) and I don’t think your list is too lopsided. It’s reasonable.</p>
<p>Just remember this rule when you consider adding another college: If you ONLY got into that college with slightly less-than-expected financial aid, will you regret not applying someplace else instead?</p>