@InterLoki - My daughter has Vassar high on her list, but has not visited yet and no touchpoints. ie: Vassar didn’t visit her high school or present in our area, cancelled tour due to Covid and no virtual info sessions scheduled plus we don’t know any current student. This will be her first trip in the Fall - if school is back in session along with touring Brown. She also looked at Wellesley for creative writing and theater and it remains on her list. She has removed Wesleyan for a myraid of reasons - some valid, some not.
She did tour Carleton and Macalester in the Fall and had met the reps previously at her high school, knows a few people at both from our area and Carleton is still at the top of her list. She loves the little town of Northfield and even though the area around Mac is wonderful, she didn’t seem to care about having access to shops and more restaurants. For me, I thought it would be a great place to visit for parent’s weekend - but my opinion is not highly sought out 
I think the shiny arts building at Carleton made a big impression and Mac just seemed too small - I don’t think student count wise, but the footprint of the school. Carleton felt more like a “typical” east coast LAC, tree lined paths, building design and the trimester calendar appealed to my daughter too.
We also had a low energy tour guide at Mac and a very high energy guide at Carleton - we know that is not the best way to judge - but for a 17 year old it can’t be helped. Also, we had a very domineering parent on our Mac tour (it was only 3 families). Our area rep from Mac is wonderful and he reached out for feedback after our tour. My daughter did sit into a theater class and loved it - but she is that kind of kid.
She did not get as much personal insight into the creative arts at either school compared to Kenyon and Oberlin. The Carleton tour was big and if it remains on her list, she will need to dig deeper into the creative side. Carleton assigned the mandatory freshman seminar class to attend vs letting you pick.
I keep thinking Vassar will fit the “just right” piece. Hoping not Brown, as the odds of admittance are slim with no hook except being a strong student and an all around nice kid.
Sorry to hijack this tread and veer away from the original - but not sure how else to answer your question.