<p>I live in Florida so I'm not all too familiar with the smaller schools in the west.</p>
<p>I was wondering if you guys could maybe throw out some colleges in the west for me!</p>
<p>Something around 5,000 students, with a nice campus, cool town, good music scene, and a great social life is ideal. </p>
<p>Thanks Alot</p>
<p>The Claremont Colleges</p>
<p>Individually, they might be too small for you, but the whole Consortium has about 5,500 students and so you won't be isolated. Each of the schools has their own "focus" if you will and personality. Pomona is the oldest, biggest, and has phenomenal resources. Their approach to education is slightly theoretical and more learning for the sake of learning. I'll be attending Claremont McKenna, which emphasizes a pragmatic liberal arts education. Claremont has incredible government, economics, and international relations departments. Psychology and history are also strong. Scripps College is an all-women's college that has very strong art and humanities departments. Harvey Mudd is the math/science/engineering school and rivals CalTech and MIT for it's academics. Pitzer College is the interdisciplinary, experimental school and offers a lot of environmental studies and sociology classes.</p>
<p>You may want to check out this thread on this same topic:</p>
<p>I don't mean just Cali, I mean the whole West/Pacific Northwest</p>
<p>Sounds like you're basically describing Stanford - obviously it's a reach for everyone, but if you can get in, it sounds like exactly what you're looking for. (~6500 undergrads, beautiful campus, great sports/social life, and top academics)</p>
<p>Seattle University, which is located on Broadway, adjacent to the Capital Hill neighborhood in Seattle. Just under 5,000 students and they offer some merit scholarships.</p>
<p>My son's at University of Denver and loves it there. About 4500 undergrad students, lovely campus, and on the light rail so all of Denver is available for socializing and for career opportunities. Also a great location for hiking, camping and of course all winter sports.</p>
<p>Seattle University, Gonzaga University, University of Portland, Willamette University, Pacific Lutheran University, University of Puget Sound, Whitman College, Whitworth College, Santa Clara University, University of San Francisco, University of San Diego, Lewis and Clark College.</p>
<p>Gonzaga, Whitworth and Whitman are in Washington but not really on the west coast.</p>
<p>Another school in Seattle is Seattle Pacific University. It's a little smaller, around 3,000 students. It's near the extremely "interesting" Fremont neighborhood. Try googling Fremont troll, Fremont Lenin and Fremon Solstice parade to get a feel.</p>
<p>True, but Whitman is the TOP private school in the Northwest.</p>
<p>I second nocousin--Whitman is a terrific school and very strong academically. It may be a bit smaller than you are looking for, but it's definitely worth considering.</p>
<p>I'm not saying it's not a good school...I'm just saying it's not really on the west coast.</p>
<p>^ OP asked for "private schools in the west." I'm not sure what your definition of "west coast" is--I've always considered any border states on the coast, regardless of where the school is within that state--but in this case the definition is irrelevant.</p>
<p>Only Stanford and cal tech.</p>
<p>I'm looking for a fun school too with a Greek scene, not really sure if i'll be able to find that in the West..</p>
<p>Greek is stupid. you are going to college for an education, not to party and get stds.</p>
<p>Whitman has a low key greek system. Frats have houses, but sororities are in the dorms.</p>
<p>Reed is another LAC in Portland. But it is greek averse.</p>
<p>"Greek is stupid. you are going to college for an education, not to party and get stds."</p>
<p>In you're opinon, but I want to have fun in college and have a great experience socially along with a good education.</p>
<p>Santa Clara University or University of San Francisco, each about 5,000 students in great, albeit different locations.</p>