<p>If open to the midwest, how about Carleton (or Macalester or Oberlin?)</p>
<p>These schools strike me as having the qualities you described above (“strong, friendly academic environment, but not overly intense…Most of all wants down-to-earth nice fellow students and teachers that are not snobby, pretentious, or preppy - and smart students that are not all about intelect or shows-offs.”)</p>
<p>Also agree that Whitman would fit this description, too.</p>