Which of these towns/cities the best place for college?

so i'm headed off to college in fall 2011 and I'm handing out applications right now and about to take the SAT. I have around 7 college choices which are at locations of San Francisco. Burlington, Vermont. Portland, Maine. New York, NY. and possibly Atlanta, GA. I'm asking this question about the location of each of these and to see how the life is there. Burlington and Portland, Maine both are small towns which I don't have anything against, just don't know much about. When I'm in a small town, I like when you get a feel of almost a city in the small town and one that has a pretty good life there. As far as cities, I'm from LA so I love em, I'd prefer new York over san fran and know nothing about Atlanta. If you could help me with some of these places I've listed for going to college in, just give me some briefs input. Thanks