Gillian Spolarich’s college search played out like a romantic triangle. She was set on American University. But the College of Charleston was set on her. The Southern suitor sweetened its admission offer with a pledge of more than $10,000 in merit aid.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/college-merit-aid-produces-bidding-wars/2011/05/17/AG7JwzEH_story.html