High quality academics, exclusive undergraduate liberal arts focus, small but not too small size, New England location, tight alumni network, socially/politically centrist atmosphere, no Greek system and friendly “good kid” vibe are what attracted me to Holy Cross. Worcester isn’t Boston (though it’s not far away), but it’s coming into its own these days. https://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/07/realestate/commercial/long-a-college-town-worcester-now-looks-the-part.html