<p>My d was not a big fan of LAC's- she thought they would be too small and isolated. That was her opinion only so I don't want to hear why LAC's are wonderful. Anyway- she did apply to several "smallish" Universities- thinking she'd get the "best of both" environments. As we are from LI, most of these are east coast schools- but here goes some suggestions--U of Rochester-CMU-Wm and Mary-Brown & Georgetown-other schools she didn't apply to (so I don't know too much about them and I'm not too sure of enrollment size) Emory, Tufts-Brandeis-Case Western-Duke- Wustl and Rice. My d is now at Cornell- though it's bigger than some of the other schools listed, she does not feel overwhelmed by the size of its campus or the # of students. When she first saw Cornell, she thought it was way too big and we didn't even know whether she was going to apply there. We STRONGLY encouraged a second look (as tuition is less for NY kids in ILR). She did an overnight and a tour and only then decided the school was ok. It was only after the third visit (after her acceptance) that she "knew" Cornell was the right school for her. So sometimes you just need to sit back as it sometimes takes a bit of time until the right school "clicks". Good luck.</p>
<p>I honestly think Duke is a great choice if that is what you want. I would say Duke, Brown, and Dartmouth are the right "balance schools" between a place like Penn and a place like Williams.</p>
<p>What about Swarthmore college?---great, small LAC</p>
<p>Dude, Vassar isn't preppy, it's HIPPIE!</p>
<p>Dude Vassar is the chillest place ever, totally unpreppy</p>
<p>Yeah there is NOTHING preppy about Vassar.</p>
<p>true dat! I almost went there, in fact, but decided on Brown instead. Though Brown was (is) truly the right place for me and I am truly happy with my decision, I really feel that if I hadn't gotten into Brown, I would have had a very good time at Vassar. I highly reccomend it (nay, command it if you happen to play rugby). The campus is beautiful, and the people there are very happy. They really like their school! Go take their virtual tour of campus -- it's unreal. They have a shakespeare garden!</p>
<p>marny -- that's really true. When I first visited Brown I decided I wasn't going to apply. But then my friend was obsessed with it, and persuaded me to takee a second look, and I did, and decided I definitely wanted to apply. Then I went to hte information session, and because equally obsessed...slowly, i realized it was THE school for me. Of course this is speculation because i haven't actualaly...BEEN there yet...lol...but I certainly hope it's THE school for me :)</p>
<p>Duke is a great school with fantastic campus and lots of school spirit.</p>