<p>I agree that your top 3 choices are very similar. I haven’t visited Swarthmore but I’ve visited the other two and students looked, acted, etc very similarly, so I think you’re on the right track.</p>
<p>I agree with others that since FA is so important to you it’s not essential that you pick one top choice now. Apply to all the schools you love (and it looks like your list is pretty solid with reaches/matches/safeties), then compare FA and see which ones are most reasonable.</p>
<p>That being said, Amherst sticks out to me of your list. Almost all the others schools have a very nerdy (in a good way) student body, and while I’m not saying that Amherst students are any less intelligent than at peer schools Amherst is known for a much more “traditional” college experience, with a lot more drinking and partying than many other schools. Yes, I know that Amherst has the sort of people you want, but I’m just saying that unlike the other schools on your list Amherst’s typical student doesn’t match your descriptions.</p>