<p>You really should consider Whitman. Walla Walla, WA is a very charming friendly small town and the school is excellent. Check out this link: [Walla</a> Walla ranked friendliest town in the country | KING5.com Seattle](<a href=“http://www.king5.com/home/Walla-Walla-ranked-best-towns-in-country-125967803.html]Walla”>http://www.king5.com/home/Walla-Walla-ranked-best-towns-in-country-125967803.html) My son liked it more than Colby because the campus is 2 blocks from downtown, you can walk or bike to shop or eat off campus. Colby is near Watertown but you really need a car to get there, so the campus feels pretty isolated. He liked it more than Bates because Walla Walla is in a much nicer town. The academics are rigorous, but Whitties tend to be active in all sorts of things, lots of music, theater, club and varsity sports, and an very active outdoor program. </p>
<p>Good luck with the search and be sure to have a talk with your parents about the money issue. If you’re applying to colleges who give need-based aid instead of merit aid, there is the possibility that you may get in and not be able to attend because they have decided you need less than you actually do. This happened to us.</p>