<p>It is unfortunate that your friend lives in China and will likely need to make a choice without having ever set foot on campus. I think it is laudable that your friend has checked out American LACs so carefully as there are no real counterparts (except a few in Canada) in other parts of the world. Most countries have a national university (or a few) that is considered the top school and everyone appliles to it. Even more commonly, particularly in Europe, students apply to the university closest to them and often live at home. Her interest in LACs suggests that she has a certain self-awareness of her particular educational style, needs, and goals that many internationals may not have simply because they do not have a LAC frame of reference.</p>
<p>I am a big advocate of the "fit" of a college for a particular student. I have made this case on on postings of other colleges (particularly some Ivys), and have been criticized by some for it. I think one of the great advantages of the American college system is the many different types of choices for undergraduate education available to top students. I personally believe going to college is to get an education rather than a degree. I have recommended students to ask themselves: given who they are, where do they think they can learn best and grow the most as a person? For some, HYP or other top universities are the answer; for others, a top LAC would be a better fit. </p>
<p>I know that Asians and Asian-Americans are overly concerned about "prestige" (I am one of the latter); however, your most precious asset is your time. You are investing four years of your life at a critical stage. Where will you get the best educational experience?</p>
<p>As someone has pointed out, Wellesley is famous because Madame Chang, a member of perhaps the most politically influential family in China in her time and the public face of the Chinese government during the Second World War attended Wellesley. However, I know that some of the other seven sister schools, especially Smith and Mount Holyoke, are also well-known as they sponsored students from China and had influential alumni in China when educational opportunities were very limited for women.</p>
<p>Although, I think HYP may win more cross-admits over AWS, it is not that uncommon for students to choose the latter. In my freshman wing of twelve students at Amherst, two students were accepted by Yale (one of whom I met during acceptee week there) and another by Harvard. Another student's father was a noted professor at Yale who I believe applied to Amherst E.D. As an outstanding scholar-athlete (like your friend), he later attended Yale Medical School. In my high school, several classmates chose Haverford, Swarthmore, and Vassar over MIT, MIT, and Harvard, respectively. Although I pointed out that it is an Asian phenomenon, in general, I think on CC, the typical applicant seems to be much more impressed by the prestige or name recognition of the college rather than "fit" and quality of education.</p>