<p>I'm down to these schools. I want to go to a school that has strong social studies departments, a close knit student community, great facilities, great food, great dorms, and great job placement after college. Also, there needs to be a work hard play hard environment. Which of these is best for me...</p>
<p>Whitman would be a good match for you but I think Claremont McKenna is a better fit. Visit and decide which has the best feel</p>
<p>Social studies is a broad descriptor. Whitman is especially strong in politics, sociology, psychology, environmental studies. McKenna is known for political science, history (wih a strong consevative bent I hear). I don’t know as much about the others in this domain. I’d try looking at the department homepages on the websites and see which professor’s areas of research are most appealing to you. The advantage of LACs is you get ready access to doing research with profs and departmental teams so you want to get more specific to see who has the best fit with your interests. (Of course interests also change once you get into the excitement of college).</p>
<p>Hamilton is a very good fit as well. You have wonderful choices.</p>
<p>All are great schools so you cannot make a bad decision. Claremont McKenna had a very different vibe, more business-like even in its aesthetics and hotel looking dorms (but reasonably spacious / equipped) when I visited with my son last summer. However, it is undeniably a top flight LAC and the consortium has advantages. Whitman has a totally different feel which was more appealing to us - we were not excited about L.A. area and prefer the small town in beautiful scenic setting. If you want a big city and more people, clearly CMC is the best choice. I only know Colorado College and Hamilton by reputation (very good on both counts). Good luck.</p>