A-
Powerful but isolated.
Sarah Lawrence is not for everyone. I spent a year there as a visiting student and fell in love with parts, and could not stand other parts.
In general, what makes SLC so special is also what makes it difficult for the average student. SLC is a place of directed learning, where you as a student must challenge yourself. Much as with Hampshire, you get out what you put in. In my visiting sophomore year was expected to do graduate level work because I presented myself to the professor in a way that allowed him to push me that far. Other students did not engage with their class materials, and received fine marks, but that doens't really matter at SLC.
In effect, when you graduate, you will have a letter of recommendation from every class you took. If you do well, that means you will have as many as 24 personal reviews and assessments of your ability as a student. This is invaluable when applying to graduate school, but can also shoot you in the foot. At a state school, if you slack off and get a B, no one knows. At SLC if you slack off it will be on your permanent record in the review. Alternatively, if you struggle and push and get a C-, the professor will probably write a glowing review of how you tried your best.
Without any majors, SLC can be very socially isolating. The conference system means as much as 50% of the work you do for a class must be individual, no study groups, no homework sessions.
I loved my time there. But it is not for everyone.