Coming from NYC, another reason to choose a NESCAC over Grinnell, is that schools like Williams and Amherst pull a ton of students from the NYC area generaly. This means you will be “in the flow” of students and have a greater opportunity to meet and get to know students from all over the NYC region, share rides, hang out together during Thanksgiving break, etc. That will not happen as much at Grinnell. Of course, if your goal is to get away from your existing world, then Grinnell would be an interesting choice. Others include Washington & Lee, Lehigh and Colgate.