@frizzle68, Small data point but something to consider. The STEMy son of good friends was accepted at WPI, Reed, etc. He was very interested in attending Wesleyan as well but was rejected. After visiting some of his colleges during accepted student day, the final choices were Reed and WPI. My friend is an MIT alumnus and his wife Amherst. They were * very impressed* with both schools before visiting but even more so after.
Portland is a great town and it rains much less than in Seattle.
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