NCSU was one of the schools I was applying to back when I was still looking for full-residency MFAs. From what I gathered they had a pretty good writing program. Lot's of poetry and fiction readings and knowledgeable professors. I realize that it probably doesn't help you out much in terms of your major. But if writing is important to you then being around other writers can't hurt. Then again, U Penn might also have a healthy writing community. I'm not sure if they have an MFA or not, but it's worth looking into.
I will say this though, if I had a choice between my top 5 schools and one of them offered me full funding, that would be the one I'd choose.
First you will awake in disbelief, then in sadness and grief and when you wake the last time, the forest you've been looking for will turn out to be right in the middle of your chest.
