Northeastern is the biggest outlier here. I understand the hypothetical appeal of co-op, but I really think it’s the more pre-professional majors that are getting the really interesting co-op placements for the most part. For engineering, CS, business, health professions, journalism, it is great. But for humanities… I heard a lot about kids doing their co-op placements working in the admissions office or similar. It’s not a given that you get something fabulous just because you spend $$$ for NEU. And while you’re there, you will be in the minority as a life-of-the-mind type humanities student. I would think Tufts would be more aligned with the type of school you seem to prefer.
CMU also has a more pre-professional vibe than you might glean from their online presence. Great school but not sure how it beats out many many other possibilities for a spot on your list.
BU and NYU are urban and expensive. I went to BU and had some great experiences there. But would I pay double to go to either of these schools over UCB or UCLA in-state? JMHO but I don’t see enough value-added. Although it doesn’t hurt to apply and see what kind of merit you might get.
I assume you’re applying to more UC’s than just Berkeley. You might really like the College of Creative Studies at UCSB. There’s an additional layer of application in addition to the UC app, but it can be a best-of-both-worlds experience with aspects of a LAC, a “grad school for undergrads” philosophy, and the resources of a large UC. You can still minor or double-major outside of CCS. Writing & Literature | UCSB College of Creative Studies
Agreed that if you like UChicago, you might also look at Swarthmore. The other Quaker Consortium schools too - Bryn Mawr and Haverford. If you want the NYC experience, how about Barnard, or Fordham (apply EA - merit likely).
If you like Carleton and Kenyon, consider Grinnell and Oberlin. If you like Bowdoin, there are so many LAC’s in the Northeast - Colby and Bates, Hamilton, Middlebury, Vassar, Skidmore, Conn College, Williams, Amherst, Smith, Mt. Holyoke, Wesleyan…
Are you considering the Claremont Colleges? Maybe you don’t want SoCal in general…
You also don’t seem to be looking in the Southeast, but Emory could be worth a look.
My sense is that it may be tough to crack the tippy-top schools that expect STEM rigor even from their humanities-oriented candidates, but many excellent schools like “pointy” humanities students. Make sure to show lots of interest at schools like Carleton, Macalester, and Kenyon - get in touch with your admissions rep, ask questions, etc.