I didn't really have safety schools.

My choices were free schools in which I had no interest in attending or schools in which I was interested in attending but had no interest in paying for.

The real key is to have your parents *work* for a small private college, where you can get your tuition reduced by 75% for all 4 years. One of my friends did this and attended a small private liberal arts school that he quite enjoyed. No NMSF or anysuch required.

I forgot about that secret, too.