<p>I think the top LACs are ideal for the super-shy who thrive on academic challenge and want to avoid the greek scene and the party crowd. It is very difficult to get lost in the crowd when you are on a first name basis with all your professors, classes are small and see your classmates all over campus every day. </p>
<p>A lot of LACs are in rural locations. Those that are suburban include Pomona, Swarthmore, Haverford and Vassar. Rice is a good choice too if Houston is your cup of tea-safe suburban neighborhood and the ‘house’ system ensures you get to know people well. </p>
<p>I would encourage her not to write off the more rural LACs, though. Many have vibrant campuses and small towns. Students are invariably more engaged in campus life than at those schools where the student body can easily disperse into the city or town. S is at Grinnell, which is very rural, in part because of the very strong science programs and great merit aid-he says he doesn’t have enough time to do all the great things that the school has to offer. Probably true of the other rural LACs as well.</p>