One thing many dont realize is that while schools can not see where else you have applied via the common ap, they can see what schools you have listed on the FAFSA. So for those qualified students who might also be likelies for other top schools where they sent their FAFSA info to, perhaps admissions decisions are influenced by this? It is best to list those schools in alphabetical order, vs any other way, lest that be assumed your order of preference. I.e. if a top tier candidate lists H,P,Y then WashU on his/her FAFSA, perhaps WashU assumes they would go to one of the first three listed if they had that chance. Not sure it ever comes down to this, but wouldn’t want to chance it.