<p>Also look at Allegheny College in northwestern PA. Very strong in chemistry and has many of the other attributes you describe including merit aid.</p>
<p>I know you said not in the South but Davidson and William & Mary fit your description very well. Virginia and North Carolina are not “Deep South”.</p>
<p>Based on your interests, you most certainly need to give careful consideration to three key LACs.</p>
<p>Carleton:
[Carleton</a> College: Admissions: Carleton Videos](<a href=“http://apps.carleton.edu/admissions/about/videos/]Carleton”>http://apps.carleton.edu/admissions/about/videos/)</p>
<p>Grinnell:
[Grinnell</a> College - Life in the middle of nowhere](<a href=“http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4127487089378848418#]Grinnell”>http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4127487089378848418#)
also another good video on another college website–that CC won’t let us name-- where students talk about the school</p>
<p>Haverford:
[Haverford</a> College Office of Admission: Admission Videos](<a href=“http://www.haverford.edu/admission/videos/]Haverford”>http://www.haverford.edu/admission/videos/)
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/haverford-college/427212-why-haverford-sciences-phenomenal-part-12-a.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/haverford-college/427212-why-haverford-sciences-phenomenal-part-12-a.html</a></p>
<p>Also, get the Fiske Guide!</p>
<p>BTW, I know Carleton and Haverford don’t offer merit aid, but they are need-blind, guarantee to meet 100% of demonstrated need. In addition, Haverford has a no loans policy, providing all need with grants. Accordingly, for many student/familiess they can do better with need-based than merit aid at certain other schools.</p>
<p>^ “Need blind” does not affect you directly if you have no “need” based on the FAFSA-generated expected family contribution (EFC). If cost nevertheless is a concern, then the cost of attendance and merit aid should matter to you. Generally, Midwestern LACs are a relative bargain in both respects; however, Carleton (the most selective of them) offers little or no merit aid.</p>
<p>^ I didn’t say merit aid shouldn’t matter. I’m just saying don’t assume need-based aid won’t actually work out better. Obviously it will depend. But in some cases where family income exceeds $250K, they are till getting need-based aid. The forumlua is so complex and dependent of a variety of factors. Lots of families who think they can do better with merit aid can actually do better with need-based.</p>
<p>A couple of other options in midwest that you might consider: Beloit, Denison, Ohio Wesleyan, Illinois Wesleyan</p>
<p>Located where you are and with your credentials, you have a wonderful set of choices right in the midwest. I am most familiar with Kalamazoo, Lawrence, Beloit and Knox. All of them would fit perfectly. Earlham, Wooster, Grinnell, and Illinois Wesleyan probably would also. The key factor you indicated that will rule out most NE schools is merit aid. The midwest LACs are as good as those schools, but with the added bonus of merit aid because they aren’t as popular nationally.</p>
<p>Have you thought about Cornell College in Iowa? They follow the block plan and are a small school and I have heard they are very focused students but also supportive of each other. Small town but not that far from some bigger cities if you need to venture out.</p>
<p>We visited Buena Vista and it was nice. Small but nice, around 900+ students, I believe. They have a wonderful new science building. I was impressed with the facilities, being a small university. </p>
<p>Wartburg is also a very nice campus. I don’t know much about their programs. Around 1800 students.</p>
<p>I like Quaker schools for you, particularly Guilford, Earlham, and Haverford.
[Friends</a> Institutions](<a href=“http://www.earlham.edu/~fahe/mappage.htm]Friends”>http://www.earlham.edu/~fahe/mappage.htm)</p>
<p>I “opposite of suggest” (un-suggest?) Wheaton in Illinois if you not only go to a Catholic school but also are Catholic.</p>
<p>I agree with the recommendations of Carleton, Grinnell and St. Olaf. All are excellent schools focused on sustainability with friendly student bodies, excellent science departments and excellent facilities.</p>
<p>I’ve heard absolutely lovely things about the College of Wooster in Ohio.
Haverford is a great school but very hard to get into.
What’s with the New England hate?</p>
<p>A lot of good choices mentioned. Adding one more: Juniata</p>
<p>^^ I don’t see evidence of “New England hate” on this thread.
Posters are reasonable to focus on other regions because that is where the OP’s criteria lead. In particular, s/he wants schools that offer merit scholarships with a good chance of bringing the cost below $35K. Few New England LACs offer merit scholarships (Smith being an exception, for women). In addition, their sticker prices generally are a bit higher than elsewhere to start. The OP evidently does not expect to qualify for need-based aid (presumably after doing some homework based on his or her own situation.)</p>