@happy1 honestly, it’s because the programs at both schools are appealing. But I don’t want to apply, and I wish I did 
Of the schools you’ve visited so far, which did you find the most appealing and why?
Dickinson cares about interest – one of D1’s HS friends was rejected with pretty much identical stats to hers (and D1 was accepted with good merit). I don’t think it is a safety, I would call it a low match.
One option I haven’t seen mentioned yet is a woman’s college. In general, they are easier to get into even though equally strong academically as their co-ed peers. Bryn Mawr is in a consortium with Haverford (very easy to cross-register for classes and extra-curriculars), Swarthmore, and UPenn. Similarly, Smith and Mt. Holyoke are in a consortium with Amherst, Hampshire and UMass-Amherst.
Of the suggestions, I think Siena is very, very safe and the OP will likely receive significant merit $$. Bard is a great choice for EA - I thought Bard had an ‘on the spot’ admissions program - apply, show up for a model class, participate based on the readings/information given, and get a decision - The OP might check that out as well.
Yes, I think it’s called IDP.
I think you need to decide if your search is LAC-driven or journalism-driven. IOW, are you interested in the LAC that can provide the best journalism opportunities? Or the best journalism program that is most LAC-like?
@porcupine98 By far, my top choice is Hamilton. I visited for junior preview day last month and absolutely loved it! I appreciate their emphasis on writing (which is my passion) and their respected music programs. Just the overall vibe is great- it’s super small, which I loved. Also, everyone I met (including current students) was so genuinely nice, which I loved. It was the first school I’ve toured that I would certainly apply ED to. I love it, but I’m not the type to say “Hamilton or die”, because I think that’s kind of ridiculous- to define yourself based on an acceptance or rejection letter. That’s why I want to have a bunch of choices I’d be happy attending!
Colgate (along with Bucknell) appears on PR’s “Top 10 Party Schools.” Should this assessment (as unscientific as it is) comport with your personal experience – and should this indicate an atmosphere you desire to avoid – this could be sufficient reason to eliminate Colgate. Nice school and academic programs though . . .
My hunch is that you’ll get in to Hamilton 
So, just playing, here’s what I’d do in your shoes:
Hamilton – ED
Tufts – ED2 (if you don’t get in to Hamilton)
Then the rest, with Muhlenberg and Ithaca as safeties. You’ll get a boat-load of money from Ithaca.
@brantly that’s really great of you to say, thank you so much! I haven’t toured Tufts yet but I love the Boston area. I have a really good friend who goes there, and he loves it!
@brantly And I’m definitely more LAC or smaller school (like Tufts) driven. I guess I shouldn’t say that though, as I really liked Binghamton and Northeastern when I toured. I guess I’m kind of all over the place…
“I think you need to decide whether your search is LAC driven or journalism driven.” (#46)
However, a “journalism-driven” school may not equate with post graduation success in the field, such as that that can be measured by the attainment of awards such as Pulitzer Prizes in journalism.
@elenaclaire828 I think Tufts has the vibe you are looking for. Not sure how you’ll feel about the size, though. It is much bigger than Hamilton, but I wouldn’t describe it as a huge school. But it has the Tufts Daily.
I was thinking about Mount Holyoke, but am not sure if the OP is female. If so, it would make a pretty good safety admissions-wise. Like all others we are talking about, interest matters.
@intparent I’m female! Just kind of apprehensive about attending an all-girls school, I don’t know.
You should absolutely visit. My daughters were both not sure about that aspect either, but they came away from their visits to MHC raving about it. Lovely campus, solid academics with a bit more purposeful focus on the academic side than a lot of colleges they visited. Part of the 5 college consortium for social opportunities, and possibility to cross register for a few classes at the other colleges in the consortium. Both my kids ended up applying and were accepted – both ended up at other schools for various reasons, but both very much liked MHC and could have seen themselves attending. Read up on it in Fiske, and visit, it is really a gem of a school.
If you like Hamilton, you may want to check out Connecticut College. Has an intellectual vibe like Hamilton and also some strong arts program. Small like Hamilton, pretty campus, slightly easier to get into than Hamilton, but still strong caliber students.
@wisteria100 Do you per chance know the average GPA and a average ACT for Connecticut College? I see that they have a slightly higher acceptance rate but it is a slightly larger school, so I’m curious
Visit collegedata . com for that