I’m sold at wannabe author and full ride - that’s the best ROI for a wannabe author.
You recommend the LACs but have UCONN and Stony Brook on the list - what does she want?
And then what can you afford and what do you want to afford?
I assume from the big schools, you already know merit. I assume you are from NY - do you qualify for the TAP program - otherwise you’ll know your cost and I wouldn’t expect need aid from UCONN.
In the end, while the LAC might seem right for all the reasons on paper, if it’s not right for the student and you are willing to pay for the larger, you can go with that.
But I’d be hard pressed to pass Bard…and that money can be used in other ways, perhaps to help her self publish a book or perhaps to help her at grad school or just with living expenses if struggling after college.