<p>“Especially since I’m hoping that I can get a lot of the tuition covered through merit-based financial aid.”</p>
<p>That certainly changes the picture…you will definitely need to add more schools lower down on your tier list if that is a requirement…From our own experience, a 3.6 or so UW GPA will not get you merit aid at the schools on your list, even with the SAT score…</p>
<p>Look down to the private level of Miami, Tulane, Syracuse etc to achieve a safety with great merit aid…your safety and match schools are not great with merit aid either (with the exception of BU, but with a 3.6UW and 2200, merit will be minimal…)</p>