It would be nice to hear other perspectives on applying to M.Arch 3+ programs.
I will be applying this fall for entry fall 2009.

I just graduated from a LAC in Minnesota with a political science major, studio art minor.

ugrad GPA: 3.89, GRE: Verbal 530, Quant. 700. I am currently working on my portfolio, and I would say it is fairly good. Not amazing, but I definitely have some great work to show.
I have taken calc., physics, and arch. history.

My main concerns regarding the admissions process are
1) cost --I currently owe 22k on my B.A.
2) employment prospects with degrees from certain schools
3) location in terms of where I would like to work someday

My gut instinct is to apply to schools where I would qualify for in-state tuition (to keep my total debt load down)-->

-UMinn (at 16k a year for in-state and living in Mpls. this is not a particularly cheap option for a state school)
-U Wisc.- Milwaukee
-UManitoba (4 yrs. instead of the 3+ option, but really cheap for Minnesota residents)

Maybe even Kansas U or IA State (as these would be faily inexpensive Midwest schools)

I definitely do not want to stay in the Midwest, so would getting a degree from one of these institutions hinder me post-grad trying to find employment on the east coast? Would I be competitive going this route? Would saving the money be worth it?

I personally think it would be great to go to an Ivy, Parsons, Pratt, etc., but I just do not know If I even stand a chance for acceptance and if it is worth the debt load? And if I went this route, would I theoretically be that much better off trying to find a job?

Any insight would be greatly appreciated...