<p>So, I'll cut it down so no TL;DR.</p>
<p>I want to go to a LAC for sure. Not a research university (under 3000 students).
I will NEED financial aid, preferably loan free/need-blind. But my parents and I are able to cover about $12-$15,000
I made my list based on Forbes "Best places to Begin a career"</p>
<p>Originally I started off with a larger number of LACs. My original plan was LAC<Business, but then someone said that often times it's harder to get into a good business school without 2-3 years of experience, of a significant job/title. Since you'll almost always begin work where you graduate from college, I begin to narrow down my list to colleges which were two-hours away from a "best place to begin your career". </p>
<p>With that and my other criteria, my list has come down to this (in no order)</p>
<p>CMC
Pomona
Haverford
Swarthmore
Davidson
Amherst
safety</p>
<p>Given the current state of California, Swarthmore and Haverford are in the best location for jobs. But of course, you can take an Amherst degree anywhere in the north east and it will command a lot of respect.</p>
<p>I think your plan is prudent. Too many kids head off to some small LAC in the middle of farm country and expect to end up on the floor of the NYSE straight out of college.</p>
<p>
Completely ignoring Davidson, of course. That’s quite an oversight, considering that Charlotte and the Triangle area are among the top 10 fastest growing areas in the country. </p>
<p>Philly, Pittsburgh, and Baltimore are decreasing in size. Boston and DC increased only very slightly. In Swat and Haverford’s favor, NYC is still growing.</p>
<p>[City</a> Mayors: Fastest growing US cities](<a href=“http://www.citymayors.com/gratis/uscities_growth.html]City”>City Mayors: Fastest growing US cities)
[City</a> Mayors: Fastest growing US cities 2007](<a href=“http://www.citymayors.com/statistics/us-cities-growth-2007.html]City”>City Mayors: Fastest growing US cities 2007)</p>