Not sure what your end-game vision is, but looking at your stats and interests, you sure do talk like a future think-tanker!
Google think-tanks. Join LinkedIn. Look up some people who work at think-tanks, how they got there, and their progression. Knowing people who did, I don’t think they imagined the enormity of their life and the scope of their work when they were 18. And most didn’t come from “privilege” and private elite high schools. They got sucked in.
A pattern I noticed is an undergrad target like yours, often at a non-Ivy private research university. Then grad school with studies abroad. Some of the younger ones did Americorps, where they met like-minded friends and got some college $$.
I’ve noticed private non-Ivy research universities can be flexible with aid, especially if you’re a participating performing undergrad, but plan on debt. If you’re lucky, you’ll be sucked in, too, and find a passion that makes paying it back worthwhile.
Of course, I could be wrong. Good luck. You’ll be fine.