@PeaceOfMind So I got curious and googled up a list of “happy students” . The first result I got ranks the less (lower…) “happy” places you mentioned as very happy, Chicago is 2nd!. Maybe it’s a bad ranking? Regardless, cheers and a 
face.
http://www.collegechoice.net/colleges-with-happiest-freshman/
@JessiesGirl - Wash. U. is definitely up there in the contentedness scale. It was a major contender for my D (esp. with a full-tuition scholarship) and it ended up being her top non-HYPS choice over Vandy, Rice, Duke, USC, etc.
Dickinson has a pretty positive vibe, I think. They give good merit, too.
@intparent one of my best friends attends dickinson! she loves it. I’ll look into it as a low match/safety (?) sort of school.
I don’t have SAT/ACT scores actually, so it’s presumptuous of me to say that. With my target scores, Dickinson would be a low match or safety, but who’s to say what will actually happen…
I’m afraid you’ve completely misunderstood my “happy vibe” requirement. as a matter of fact I am very involved in social justice and i recognize that one of the most important purposes of college is to step outside one’s comfortable box of privilege, etc. That is NOT what a “happy vibe” means to me. as @LoveTheBard understood, “happy vibe” has to do with things like a sense of community on the campus, collaborative as opposed to competitive students. I also would like a learning environment that is not excessively pre-professional. the last thing I want is a resort! @PeaceofMind
In terms of financial resources, five top LACs stand out from the rest, with endowments above the $1 million per student level. One of these is Pomona (as you probably know). Three of the others are Amherst, Williams, and Swarthmore (as you might have guessed). The fifth is Grinnell.
In terms of admissions, the least difficult of these is Grinnell. Why? Because most LAC applicants live on the coasts, and are reluctant to even visit a school in rural Iowa. If Grinnell was in rural New England, they would be flooded with applications.
Lots of LAC applicants want a supportive and collaborative environment. However, surprisingly few LAC applicants are geographically flexible. If you are in the latter category, then you should look hard at Grinnell.
Have you looked at Whitman?
Have Macalester and Kenyon and Carleton already mentioned? Hamilton and Weslyan would also be easier to get into than Pomona, Swat and Williams.
Dickinson was my D1’s safety. She ended up picking it over higher ranked schools and had a great experience there.
@lightsgoout, if you are looking for a highly selective LAC with a very smart, diverse, caring and purpose focused community (if caring and purpose focused means happy that’s a good thing by me!) take a look at Hamilton - We have twin DD’s headed to Hamilton in the Fall and we couldn’t be prouder.
Haven’t seen your academic profile, but I know Hamilton’s accepted ACT average for the Class of 2021 was a 33 so it’s plenty smart. Our DD’s are ORM’s as well and while they profiled everywhere they didn’t get in everywhere, but they did get accepted at 8 top-25 LAC’s so it will work out for you as well!
Hamilton the First 200 Years - https://youtu.be/OqpTWexocv4
Hamilton’s Promise - https://youtu.be/9MJ9PrxzNEU
Hamilton as Home - https://youtu.be/9mTvXjS8RJU
Scripps. My daughter is at Pomona but says the best professors she has ever had are at Scripps. And so much easier to get admitted there.
Nice to hear! My daughter is starting at Scripps this fall!
My best friend is starting at Scripps this fall as well. I know it’s a great school. @sagemom