Hi joe,
I was actually in the same position that you were. I didn't have the greatest GPA but I still dreamed of going to those top schools, but I wasn't really sure if I should apply but then I thought, well what if I got in? Wouldn't it be worth the money and if not, well you can always make a few hundred more dollars. Anyway I was accepted to Yale and I think it was the best decision I ever made. And actually, something that I think made a real difference if that I used an admissions consulting firm. Have you heard of Arch +Design Admissions
(http://www.archdesignadmissions.com/)?
They gave me really great advice about my essays and portfolio and I think they made the difference between me getting accepted and not. I don't know if you would be interested in something like that, but I wanted to pass on the info.
I hope this helps!