<p>Macalester was actually one of my personal favorites of all the schools we visited. My son didn’t apply because he wanted a campus that was totally unto itself, even if it was in a city. At Macalester, the academic and student life buildings are on two lovely, albeit small quads, but the dorms are all on the city streets. He just didn’t like this about it. </p>
<p>So, I guess I contradicted myself about the importance of the environment and can understand where you are coming from OP. </p>
<p>Let me also say this to you: the most stressful part of this decision is not just what you say yes to, but what you say no to. There is a strong likelihood that you will be happy at any of these wonderful schools on your list, as long as you don’t second guess yourself after you’ve signed up, and go into the experience looking for the positives and remembering that life always involves compromise.</p>