<p>
</p>
<p>My D was accepted to both Carleton & U of Chicago last year. Her aid offer from U of C was much better than her Carleton aid ($11,000/year difference). U of C has really picked up their game in several ways over the past couple of years in an attempt to catch Yale in the USNWR rankings – possibly improving aid is one of them? Not sure of the overall picture, but can just say that my D was offered a better deal from them.</p>
<p>OP, are you using the net price calculator on the financial aid web page of each college? That is your best source of the probable cost to you for each college you are considering. It can be less accurate if your parents are divorced, if you or your parents have trusts, or if your parents have a small business. But if you are not in any of those situations, be sure you are plugging your information in for each college, not just relying on the best value link.</p>
<p>Another plug here for Kenyon, Hamilton, or Oberlin for you. 
Great colleges for writers (as much as college can take you down the path to becoming a writer).</p>
<p>Cross posted with ucb.</p>