I’m applying to 7 colleges so far with 5 middle/reach schools, BC, BU, Brandeis, (my scores/gpa/extra curriculars are there but I live in MA), American University and Colby College. My safeties are UMASS Amherst and Pace University (NYC campus). I plan on studying linguistics and international communications (I speak French fluently and am learning Spanish, Italian and Polish and plan on studying Arabic as well), so even if I get denied into all 5 of my reaches, I know I’ll be perfectly happy at UMASS Amherst since it has a great language department and I know I can transfer into their honors college if I don’t get in initially. It’s actually tied with American as my first choice. The thing is, I still feel like I should be applying to more mid-range and safety schools because there’s a really big jump between two safeties and reaches. I was planning on applying to 10-15 schools, but I haven’t found any other’s that have the programs I’m looking for that I know I’ll get into. A part of me thinks that since one of my safeties is also one of my top choices applying elsewhere would be a waste of time. On the other hand, I haven’t fallen in love with a school yet so I’d like to have as many options as possible. Any advice?
What are your stats, and your financial constraints? (ie: what can your parents afford per year?) If you give us that, we can help you add schools to your list.
GPA: 4.05 ACT: 32 SAT: 2150. I’ll have taken 6 AP courses when I graduate, but 4 of them are from this year so idk if that changes anything. I’m 23rd in my class out of 206 students. Money isn’t an issue. I’d like to stay in MA, or at least in the mid-north east 
No need to apply to more schools if you’re perfectly happy with UMass.
Some more match schools I can recommend: GWU and Emory. I know Emory is outside of your geographic comfort zone, but they have a good linguistics program + Arabic and your stats make them a solid match school. Honestly w/ your stats, which I solid, I imagine you’ll get into at least one of the schools you’re applying to, outside your safeties!
Would you more prefer suggestions for additional colleges to consider, or general comments regarding your approach? Or simply both?
Unless you find more schools you really like, I don’t think you necessarily need more matches/safeties. Your stats are competitive for all of the schools you listed. I don’t think being from MA is going to be much of a problem, and American would probably be a significantly lower match for you.
I initially posted looking for advice on my general approach to the admissions process, but I’m open to anyone’s recommendations And I know my stats are there, but I come from a fairly privileged/white bread background and I’m not entirely sure if my extracurriculars make me stand out enough for me to get in (aside from the languages, I’m in my schools litmag, diversity club, and red cross club, and I taught myself how to play 2 instruments. And I might be helping getting a women’s club off the ground this year and helping with empowerment seminars and fundraisers for women’s shelters and stuff, but most of the work for that will be after the application process so i probably won’t be mentioning that on my apps. my lack of extracurriculars has more to do with responsibilities at home, but I plan on addressing that in my additional essay)
If your safety is actually your top choice, do you need to apply elsewhere at all, unless you are likely to change your mind or think it may not actually be a safety?
Your deep interest in languages makes you a compelling candidate.
“I haven’t fallen in love with a school yet”
This isn’t strictly necessary, but that’s no reason to stop trying. If you like aspects of Colby, but would like the opportunity to minor in linguistics, consider Hamilton. Their open curriculum would make it straightforward for you to study linguistics; Italian, Spanish and Arabic languages; and French literature. Hamilton unfortunately does not offer Polish, but relatively few schools do. Your ACT exactly matches their average, and your application would be appropriate for the school.
(Neophytes may think that Lisa herself is playing the part of a loser, but initiates know otherwise.)
Actually I think the OP’s approach is the best. Better to not fall in love with a school and be disappointed. Knowing you will do well where ever you go is a way to happiness.
Re #10: Nevertheless, the OP would like to study linguistics. Finding one or two more schools with a defined program in the field can still be a priority. As her list currently stands, it appears that American and Colby do not. “Falling in love” can also be seen as an antithetical metaphor for the regret that could come from not having researched all opportunities.
Connecticut College offers a linguistics minor, and is slightly less difficult to get into than a few of the schools on your current list.
Pace, as well, does not offer a formal linguistics major or minor. (The school may still be a very good choice depending on the OP’s priorities.)