<p>No problem. Basically I want a college with 1) strong academics across the board and 2) especially strong in math as well as physical sciences with 3) top faculty and 4) research opportunties where I can 5) study abroad that was 6) not too competitive, more cooperative since in math/science I really need to work with other people so I can ask questions and help them with parts I get that they don't and 7) the most subjective part, a place where I can see myself. I wanted a school that was like CTY basically. Stanford/Yale probably have something to do with the fact that they are really popular at my school. I like the two schools because they are both VERY strong across the board and seemed more welcoming/friendly and less competitive than Harvard/Princeton/etc. (to me at least). They are both pretty strong in math. Yale is GORGEOUS and Stanford has the most amazing math library I've ever seen. They are both medium sized universities with 1) lots of research 2) a good reputation 3) bright students 4) study abroad opportunities 5) good teachers, and I think over time they will get more popular/strong since they are more welcoming. I just LOVED Yale when I visited on a college tour in 10th grade- the residential college system is awesome, our tour guide was really cool, the whole place was just incredible. And you can't beat Stanford for math/science research plus strong humanities. I have a friend who's now at U Chicago. Also an awesome place. I love the intellectual environment there and the fact that you can take more classes on the quarter system (and are expected too), plus it's really strong in math, especially theoretical math. I also realized that I love being good friends with teachers and that I liked that my school is small. My mentor at UCLA used to teach at Swarthmore, and when I heard about Swat I decided I needed to look into smaller schools. With Williams/Amherst/Swat I love that 1) it is selective, so you have top kids 2) close student/teacher interactions, which is pretty important to me and 3) focus is all on the undergrads. Swat is especially cool because (to me at least) it's like the U Chicago of the LACs in that it's very intellectual. Students there are friendly, respectful, and accepting and it's just a really great environment all around, matches my personality well. And RPI offered me money. And the male:female ratio is 3:1 (I come from an all girls school). </p>
<p>Hopefully that's somewhat helpful... if you want any more detailed info, just let me know. This is all (obviously) just my perception about what these colleges are like, so keep that in mind.</p>