<p>oh my god, absolutely. you pretty much just described Tufts exactly. I'll address these one by one if you want lol</p>
<ul>
<li>intellectual drive --> everyone here is SO smart and driven. It's actually kind of crazy, because you meet people and they seem a certain way, but then you're like "wait a minute. they got in too, they must have had good grades, scores, ecs, essay, recs, etc". I was one of "the smart kids" in high school and sometimes i sit in lecture while kids are commenting and just MARVEL at how their brains work.</li>
<li>a good biology program, but not a science-based college (I want a good education in the humanities also) --> Tufts isn't at all science based, but everyone I know taking bio (particularly for premed and biochem) are really happy with the bio program.</li>
<li>a homey atmosphere, good sense of community in the college --> DEFINITELY. I've talked about this in earlier posts, I won't go on about it</li>
<li>stuff to do (not necassarily near a city, but I don't want to be studying 24/7) --> there are always tons of things to do around here. Every performance group is always putting on some show or other, there are film screenings, guest speakers like Paul Rusesabagina and Al Franken. Some organizations host dances and parties, and random activities like hookah. Davis is a ten minute walk and there are a bunch of stores and restaurants there, and then you can take the T to anywhere in Boston - Harvard, MIT, downtown Boston/Boston Commons. Yesterday we decided not to go to Dewick and instead took the T to Quincy Market and had the most amazing pad thai, lobster rolls, chicken teriyaki, gelato and bubbly tea.</li>
<li>at least a decent music program --> I LOVE the music program here. Today my roommate and I were talking about taking private piano lessons and we realized that if we choose to major or minor in music, Tufts will pay for 90% of the cost of private instrumental/vocal lessons. HOW AMAZING IS THAT.</li>
<li>active college community (lots of involvement in stuff other than studying) --> Everyone I know is involved in like a bazillion things and loves all their activities. </li>
<li>college where greek life is not too heavy --> Definitely not heavy. I mean, if you like drinking, there'll always be like one or two parties on campus, but I've gone to parties sober and had a good time. Still, tons of people don't do that and instead enjoy the myriad other things available to them on campus.</li>
<li>teachers who actually talk/interact with students and encourage them outside of class (ie discussions), but not necassarily something as intimate that can be found at a LAC. in other words, prfos who actually care about their students and are not at the college just for their research --> I find that that is exactly how the professors are. None of them has ever given me the impression that they're here for their own research - they're all super-helpful, STAGGERINGLY intelligent in their fields, and can convey their vast store of knowledge wonderfully. I've taken part in some of the most amazingly stimulating classroom discussions, and had profs commend me for my comments later. They're always encouraging you to come during office hours for help, too.</li>
<li>undergrad research opportunities --> In all honesty, I don't know much about this yet b/c i'm only a freshman. But I can't imagine that anyone has had any trouble getting funding or whatever</li>
<li>has a med school or/and hospital nearby --> also, not sure about that, but a TON of people here are pre-med and supposedly we have a really good med program. Three of my guy friends are studying to be and eye doctor, pediatrician and surgeon; those are pretty diverse fields of medicine and yet they're all really happy with the program.</li>
</ul>
<p>Hope I helped, because seirously, it sounds like Tufts is exactly what you're looking for. I think Yale fits too, but Columbia not as much.</p>