<p>aiming high is fine, but don't turn your nose up at schools that don't fit the prototypical "top" school. If money is an issue, apply to UT austin, which is an excellent school and a great experience/town. I had mid-A average in highschool, SAT scores at 1465, and ACT 31. I was also in debate, NHS, worked, and had numerous notches on my application. And i couldn't be happier than paying in-state tuition through reciprocity at UW-Madison The name of your school matters, sure, as does the networking. but ask yourself where you want to end up after college. the contacts you'll make out east will be, well, from out east. and if you are planning on med-school, then i would save the money on the undergrad, and still get a respectible education at a place like Austin, and put the money toward goinig to a more "name" school for med school. I know a guy who did his undergrad work at minnesota state, and then his med school at Bowman-Gray at Wake Forest. it was a great option for someone who was putting themself through school.</p>