<p>Seems like you have the situation well in hand and summarized things admirably!</p>
<p>Quick comment that at schools like Oberlin, that seem isolated from city culture (at least on the surface of things) we have noticed that students are very focused on what goes on on campus, and support one another by attending concerts, performances, theater productions, art shows, which is a wonderful thing. In a city, the support and attendance for these college events are more fragmented, due to distractions off campus. Then again, it is nice to have concerts to go to in a city, on one’s own or with friends, so I guess it comes down to personal preference.</p>
<p>Just want to mention that we have a family friend whose son is a precocious jazz saxophonist. He is very happy at Tufts. I do think he is considering also doing some work at NEC while there, perhaps in the double degree program, but as a freshman, Tufts has been all he needs and more. Close to Boston and Cambridge, but quieter area overall. People will mention many schools, and this is just one, but one I have recently heard about from a happy family.</p>