<p>Expand your definition of city and you’re in business. Or, rethink the way you think of a city or the role of a city in your college career. Honestly, you have the rest of your life to live in a city. But you’re talking to somebody who has spent extensive time in three major cities.</p>
<p>Without any further context about your ability to pay or academics, I’m going to pop University of Washington (Seattle), Boston University, Boston College, and NYU on your list. All are big enough that you’ll find your niche. Perhaps also GW, Georgetown, American U and Catholic U in DC if the city is really calling to you.</p>
<p>Lift the city requirement and I think of a few more schools…
- Wheaton College in Illinois (religious, but when you ask me about mellow kids, intense academics at a self-selecting, less-selective school, I think of Wheaton)
-Davidson College in North Carolina - St Olaf/Carleton in Northfield, MN
- St John’s College in Annapolis (narrow fit, but worth looking into)</p>