<p>You should check out the Claremont colleges. I only really know about Harvey Mudd, which wouldn’t fit you, but if you look at the others (Pomona, CMC, Scripps, Pitzer), you might find something you like.</p>
<p>CMC and Pomona would definitely provide what you are looking for in terms of location and academics. It really takes a look at both to determine which is a better fit for you. I expect that both will require a significant improvement in SAT scores over your PSAT range, but you seem to understand that. I don’t know how Pitzer and Scripps figure into this but if you are not female Scripps is out! Claremont is a great place to go to school and LA is accessable especially if you have a car. If you are looking for a big city feel from the school it is however probably not the place for you. Students sometimes refer to Claremont as the “Claremont Bubble”, this is a good or bad thing depending on your perspective. Everyone I know who goes to school there loves it!</p>
<p>If you’re not interested in a Christian school, I’d take Pepperdine out of the list. Evidently it’s become more strongly Christian over the past few years, according to various friends of mine who have attended.</p>
<p>I’ll second the Claremont colleges vote. They’re great schools. What about Occidental?</p>