<p>This is all heady stuff that’s being thrown at you. I’m feeling more cautious. You have a lot of choices if you do indeed get that ACT up to a 34, say. Your ECs are interesting but not so strong as to separate yourself out at the ivies or the co-ivies. Your rural origins might catch someone’s attention if they read that far; a 34 might get them to read that far. Having said this, people with 32s sometimes get into MIT and Caltech and Duke if their math score is strong, but don’t expect you will. Don’t expect you’ll get into any of these ivies and co-ivies.</p>
<p>I’ll avoid as much as i can repeating what others have suggested and instead focus on some mostly mid-size schools. Since money could be an issue, and since the ACT might not jump 2-4 points, I’m thinking Vanderbilt is a reach but possible, WashU is possibly next in line, followed by USC, Emory, URochester, and Tulane (the biggest party school in the bunch but also the most generous). These schools have merit money (and big grant $$, too, in the case of Vandy). Good luck.</p>