There is a method to my madness- if I was to go to the Midwest, Northwestern is really the only school I could see myself going to. I could never see myself in Virginia (just don't see myself settling in the area), and the school just doesn't appeal to me too much. I considered applying to Penn, but I figure that the only way I could move myself up north would be for the best of the best (Harvard/Yale) or an Ivy League school that may actually offer me some financial incentive.
Money is a big issue for me- I am getting married in a week and a half, and I really just can't afford to apply to 30 schools. This may seem short-sighted, but you have to consider your situation.