<p>You need to clarify your estimated family contribution before you go any further. Ask your parents to use the on-line net price calculators for several of the colleges that you are interested. If it turns out that their EFC is around $20K then you can go forward with a wide list. </p>
<p>If on the other hand it appears that you will not get enough NEED based aid to make up the difference then you will have to concentrate on colleges that offer MERIT aid. There is some overlap, but many of the colleges that have been suggested only offer need based aid. </p>
<p>For suggestions on schools that offer merit aid, run through the thread at the top of Parents board on this site. To start, I’d look at Grinnell, Rhodes, Smith, Emory. I can’t speak to the relative strengths of their math and writing programs, but they are all offer excellent academics and good merit aid.</p>
<p>There are others, but you need to drill down on your family’s specific financial situation first.</p>