<p>You've got a bunch of good schools to choose from, many of which (Cornell, Michigan, Hopkins, UW, and Notre Dame) have terrific MFA programs. But don't let the MFA shine influence you unduly. Undergrads are seldom allowed to take grad creative writing classes and MFA professors typically don't teach undergrad courses. For example, the studs at Michigan--Peter Ho Davies, Nick Delbanco, etc.--don't teach undergrads, though Delbanco does do a frosh literature seminar. However, Michigan has some great professors (often its MFA grads), as well as a number of writing prizes. </p>
<p>Looking at your list, I'd say your best bets for a great undergrad writing program are Michigan, W&M, Cornell, and maybe Colgate. Cornell's MFA faculty teaches undergrad writing courses and has a vibrant writing community, though it tends to be skewed toward the graduate program. The case for W&M (full disclosure: my alma mater) would be that its English department is completely dedicated to undergrads (there are no graduate programs). Its professors are top-notch, its breadth of course offerings is also pretty impressive (all sorts of literature classes as well as workshops in poetry, fiction, and non-fiction), and it does a good job of bringing in visiting writers and writers-in-residence. Colgate, where you can concentrate in creative writing, is similar to W&M in this respect, though it's a smaller program. While Hopkins has a very respected graduate writing program, I wasn't very excited about its undergrad offerings. </p>
<p>W&M and Michigan also allow students to write creative writing honors theses (Hopkins does not) which means you have to opportunity to complete a major manuscript under the guidance of a faculty member. If you're serious about writing, this is huge. And if you want to think way, way down the road, there are a few W&M alums that either work at or own literary agencies.</p>
<p>I'd also advise you to check out the work of the writing faculty at each school, to see if their stuff matches your interests. And don't hesitate to contact them. If they're jerks to you over email, they'll probably be jerks in workshop. And remember that a writer's fame has little to do with his or her ability to teach. </p>
<p>Though I wasn't an English major at W&M, I took a number of English and writing classes. I had a great experience, really enjoyed all my professors, many of whom are still there, and I barely scratched the surface of all the department had to offer. Still, when it came time to apply to MFA programs, my English professors all remembered me and were happy to write recommendations for me.</p>