I was DEAD set against applying to ANY schools in California....I wanted to get the heck out of dodge!
I wound up applying to:
* University of Wyoming
* Montana State University - Bozeman
* Northern State University (Aberdeen, SD)
* Bradley University
* Valparaiso University
* Purdue University
I also wound up being accepted to all six (yeah, that didn't help with trying to make a decision!

)
My top choice was U of Wyoming, but I compromised with my parents (who were concerned about me being so far from home with no family around since I had health concerns) and attended Valparaiso University, and I've never regretted it since then....although, it could've been wonderful to be at Bradley, since my cousin wound up going there the year after I started, so we could've wound up living together for at least two years, I'm sure!