<p>For an aspiring creative writer…have full tuition merit at Pitt so far. </p>
<p>pardon typos above</p>
<p>Is swat Swarthmore? It depends on how much you want to pay/if you want graduate school. I would choose UNC because of the price vs. academics and the fun you’ll have.</p>
<p>Pitt is better known than these other schools for creative writing. See this [thread[/url</a>]. It is listed in Rugg’s for undergrad creative writing and it’s graduate program is ranked higher by US News. Given that you have a full tuition merit to Pitt, it would seem like a no brainer. It may come down to whether you enjoy a urban environment or a college town though, although the urban environment may have built in advantages of its arts scene (and Carnegie-Mellon, which also has a good creative writing program, is literally adjacent to Pitt). FYI, [url=<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Chabon]Michael”>Michael Chabon - Wikipedia]Michael</a> Chabon](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/510717-undergraduate-creative-writing.html]thread[/url”>Undergraduate Creative Writing - College Search & Selection - College Confidential Forums) did his undergrad at Pitt and the novels/movies Wonderboys and Mysteries of Pittsburgh are loosely based on his time there.</p>
<p>I’m familiar with only UNC and UVA. </p>
<p>The UVA Echols program is much better than the UNC Freshmen Fellows program. With UVA Echols, you get first choice among your classmates for all courses. With UNC Freshmen Fellows, you get first choice for exactly one class. With UVA Echols, you live with other Echols Scholars in brand-new, air-conditioned dorms. UNC Freshmen Fellows get no housing advantage. </p>
<p>Good luck with your decision!</p>