one: don't think about the amount of aid they give you, but about your cost. If two schools each give you 30k/year, but one charges 5k more per year, that's a huge difference. NYC rent is also more expensive. Life is more expensive. That's the big con.
buuuut it' more expensive because it's better. There's more culture, there's more night life, there's better food, theater, fashion, et cetera, et cetera. Chicago's strong suits are improv and museums... NYC definitely has it beat on museums...
Oh, and I guess the lake might factor in, the water around NYC is not quite as tempting.
But NYC is just the place to be. It's invigorating.
