Harvey Mudd College has many qualities of a great school.
This is a boring, plain way to start. If you feel inspired, grab the reader's attention with something strange or intriguing... something unexpected.
Perusing is a word that suggests casualness, not seriousness... maybe you want to say "studying the website..."
This is good if you are trying to prove that you know a little about the school, but the impressive way to do it is to show how you have a specific plan and that this school is perfect for your plan. It is great if you admire a particular professor or want to get involved with a particular student organization. It is great if the school philosophy is a perfect match for your personal philosophy. The important thing is to explain not only about the school but also about your specific plan.
Don't tell them about the small size of the school, or anything else they obviously know.
I see a little note to yourself at the end there, ha ha, don't forget to delete that...