<p>^I second Kenyon and based on your list of “fit” qualities, I thought I’d for sure see “Wooster”; Spelman may also work (women’s, HBCU, nerdy/quirky, lots of traditions).
What about Eckerd? Strong writing program (workshop led by Dennis Lehane and friends) and strong for biology.</p>
<p>Hamilton College - not really quirky, great for writing and science - check out Skidmore?
Grinnell College - intense but not sure about party scene
Knox College - good fit
Lawrence University - good fit but I’d add St Olaf for science & low partying, not quirky though (big on music)
Vanderbilt - outlier… probably too staid for a quirky/nerdy kid… how about Davidson for a moderate environment? not quirky either but superb for science.
Eureka College - ?
Centre College - partying may be a concern
Beloit College - definitely quirky and good for science
Earlham College - very open-minded, strong research
Lafayette college - a bit on the conservative side, not quirky
Hendrix College - quirky, libertarian should fit in perfectly
Berea College - nerdy but not sure about atmosphere
Rhodes College - strong for science, driven students, big city mitigates partying
Ursinus College - good fit
Sewanee - bad fit, LOTS of drinking and since it’s very isolated, at time it seems that’s all there is to do when not hiking (okay, I’m exagerating :p)
Franklin & Marshall - not really nerdy/intellectual/ or quirky.
St. John’s - intellectual kids, conservative/open minded, but relatively poor for science</p>