<p>Your interests seem to go across the spectrum, so you should look for a school that is strong in the humanities, engineering, and the sciences.</p>
<p>If you go to an LAC you'll be killing your chances at a career in Engineering. Smaller LAC type schools like Brown and aren't strong in those depts either. You say you don't want to be isolated from civilization? If you NEED a city, then you won't like Cornell although I don't think you'd notice the lack of a metropolitan backdrop.</p>
<p>I personally think Caltech, Stanford, and Northwestern would suit you well. They pretty much embody everything you want both academically and otherwise. And considering your qualifications, you have a good shot at those schools.</p>