If money is not a REAL consideration (as in maybe your parents would prefer in state U to private that no one has ever heard of) but are prepared to pay full boat for a Top 35 school, then I would consider doing ED or EA. EA can be done to as many state schools as you want and you will hopefully have a safety by December 15 and will just apply to places you REALLY want (assuming you do not get your ED school). As for ED, it must be someplace that you love and are willing to go over all others.
Check your school’s naviance account to see where people with your statistics have been accepted in the last couple of years. Visit based on that if you are interested in competitive schools. Some schools do have closer relationships with certain colleges, others do not so where this year’s seniors are going and last year’s will give you more information than anyone can since admissions really are regional.
Assuming your school does not have better than average relationships with top tier schools, then given that you are an unhooked applicant as far as I can tell from a populated part of the midwest (which while not as bad as being from the Northeast, is hardly like being from North Dakota.) In my experience your grades have to be above the 50% - 75% for schools and even then it is a crapshoot. An interesting essay or story will help but only if you are already solidly in the 50%.
Also, a lot of mid top tier schools track interest, so visiting is important if possible.