I think it’s pretty impossible to separate what one considers one’s “favorite” liberal arts college from one’s or one’s kids particular interests and tastes. That being said, I think I’ve visited 17 LACs now between my D and my S’s searches, and I have a special fondness for Carleton. Superb sciences (arguably the strongest among LAC’s, excluding places like Harvey Mudd), outstanding teaching even relative to peer institutions (check out their ratemyprofessor scores), a studious and committed student body that has a quirky, fun-loving, non-competitive, unpretentious vibe. My D came within a hair’s breadth of going there, and while she’s had a great experience where she ended up (Olin), I’m sure she would have loved it.