<p>Hey all, I'm a current freshman at Rice and I distinctly remember the nerves you all are feeling now while waiting for those letters to arrive! Ask anything you want...I really didn't know anything about Rice before coming either!</p>
<p>How is life there? Easy-going? Stressful? </p>
<p>If you live on campus, how are the dorms? Is the food good?</p>
<p>Which school are you at?</p>
<p>Is it true there is a lot of pot smoking on campus? (Esp. at Hanszen) =</p>
<p>Hey, that was quick! Let's see...how is life here at Rice? Well, right now it's uber-stressful because finals are here! It's been a tough semester for sure, LOTS and LOTS of studying to be sure. I've had to learn some self-motivation for sure. But overall, Rice life is great. Of course for freshmen the first couple of weeks are stressful, and there will be weeks when you are holed up in the library doing work. But that's all part of being at a prestigious school. People here are really friendly, not competitive or out to get you, and supportive. The residential college system is really inclusive and there is always something going on at your college. So while it's not easy-going in an academic sense, I really like it here. </p>
<p>I do live on campus at Baker College (the BEST one...don't let anyone tell you otherwise!). In all actuality, everyone thinks their college is THE best, and it's fun to have a little rivalry. The rooms at Baker are pretty nice in my opinion. I'm in one of the smaller ones unfortunately, but the suites are nice and big. The commons at Baker is the nicest on campus...everyone knows it! Right now we have a huge Christmas tree as a result of a freshman camping trip. All of the Class of 09'ers picked out a tree and made a weekend of it, and it was just one of the many traditions we have here at Baker. The food is pretty good compared to other universities. We have chefs that try to vary the menu and I really appreciate that instead of having a choice from pizza and hamburgers everyday. There is always a vegetarian cuisine and while the food isn't the best you've ever had, it's definitely good. Hope that helps!</p>
<p>As for the pot smoking...I've never been around it! If you're talking about students walking around with joints...that doesn't happen. I can't answer for everybody, but I definitely don't smell weed every time I walk by Hanszen.</p>
<p>There are definitely people here who get involved with drugs, alcohol, etc., as with any other university. I wouldn't say that it's especially prevalent here moreso than anywhere else. There's definitely no peer pressure to get involved though. Almost everyone here is supportive of each other's decisions. </p>
<p>TFW!</p>
<p>In my quest for more ways to put off studying for my psych final I decided to wander over to these boards and add my $.02.</p>
<p>I'm going to say Hezekiah's take on academic life is pretty accurate. My workload doesn't seem to be as bad as his though. Your workload is really determined by the classes you take. In three of my classes the workload wasn't bad at all, a problem set per week and three tests per semester. The fourth, well let's just say when a class has "Honors" in the title expect to be challenged. As far as stress level is concerned, I don't find it much higher than high school. The classes are harder, but you have a lot more free time to deal with it.</p>
<p>But no matter how hard your classes may or may not be, there is always someone willing to help you should you need it. Rice's atmosphere is not competitive at all. Even the premeds that I know all work together on problem sets and help each other out. There are many many study groups out there and upperclassmen are usually glad to help out if they can. In my honors calculus class there was a study group formed the first day, and there were times when we met every single night. People that had gotten the homework done on their own would still show up just to help those who hadn't (and in truth I wouldn't have gotten through the class without them).</p>
<p>In general no one seems obsessed with classes here. People get their work done, but it's not the focus of their lives. I get a very laid-back vibe, and that transfers over to the social aspect of Rice as well. People here are very open and easy to get to know.</p>
<p>I'm a freshman at Sid Rich college (the TRUE best, hezekiah has been deluded, though I must admit Baker has some pretty cool people). The rooms at Rice are relatively nice at all the colleges compared to what some of my friends live with at other universities. I had a friend from Baylor visit me, and she couldn't believe the difference. My room is probably twice as big as hers, I have a walk-in closet (Sid is the only college that does), AND my suite has its own bathroom (and Sid's rooms are not the nicest rooms on campus by far). The food gets weary after a few months, but in all honesty is pretty good. If you live in one of the colleges with their own servery (Sid, Baker, Lovett, Will Rice) you can talk to the chefs personally and give suggestions for meals. The smaller serveries also like to have special days every once in a while. At Sid thursday night usually means something special. Once we had Margaritaville (not to be confused with the Brown party) as a theme and ended up eating coconut shrimp and other tropical food with Margaritas (virgin, this is dinner after all) served (and of course Jimmy Buffet playing over the commons speakers). The food won't blow you over, but you will eat well (perhaps too well in some cases, though I've seen fewer cases of "freshman 15" than I would have expected).</p>
<p>As far as pot smoking on campus is concerned, it definitely exists, but you'd have to look for it to do any more than hear about it occasionally. I wouldn't think Hanzen would be worse than any other college as far as that goes. That view was probably based on a few specific individuals at Hanzen. I wouldn't worry overmuch about this. If it's not something you want to be exposed to you won't be exposed to it. It's not going to be any less prominant at any other university. I could probably name 10 or 12 students who smoke pot on occasion (and you must understand this is out of several hundred). I would also agree with collegekid88, there's definitely no peer pressure here to get involved.</p>
<p>Sid Rich Rules! Death from above!</p>
<p>Haha, don't listen to Jeremiah about his "light" workload. I would absolutely commit suicide if I was in Honors Calc IV. Another thing I've learned that I could share with everyone is not to stress too much about AP tests. Sure they're important for credit and all, but Rice doesn't charge by the tuition hour, so you're really not saving any money by trying to take that AP Comparative Government test without any preparation...(sound familiar, J?). The best you can do is get distribution credit, which are required blocks of classes (broken up into sciences, social sciences, and humanities) from which you have to take 12 hours each. Most everyone here gets AP credit, but it's important to take some classes just because you're interested in them. They're only a semester long, and you can take one/year pass/fail. Lots of people would recommend taking "rocks for jocks" (earth science), but it's more beneficial if you take classes that you have a remote interest in. </p>
<p>Another thing. Sorry, I'm on a tangent here. When you go to academic advising during O-week (also known as the best week of your life), do NOT be afraid to ask questions and opinions from your advisor. Usually they are happy enough just to sign the form, but as an incoming freshman it's good to get an idea of what classes are like (so you don't get stuck taking DiffEq, Honors Chem, and Honors Physics first semester...trust me you can't do it). So if/when you get here, don't be afraid to ask the stupidest questions...I guarantee you, they have been asked before and will be asked again.</p>
<p>Hezekiah and Jeremiah,</p>
<p>You both sound very bullish on Rice (and perhaps, justifiably so!) but I was wondering, are there things that haven't exactly rung your bells? what are the disappointments, however minor or have there been any?</p>
<p>Thx,</p>
<p>fire alarms going off, bc the room gets "smoked" out happens quite often...</p>
<p>That is true. At least at Baker, there have been at least five fire drills this semester! It's really annoying. </p>
<p>There have been disappointments (getting my ECON tests back...), like my economics class wasn't as well-taught as I had hoped. Other than that, though, it really has been amazing. I find the campus to be gorgeous, and the people are uber-nice, and there's something for everyone. If you like to party and procrastinate, I assure you, you can find people who share your sentiments. If you like to study and just chill out, there's plenty of that, too. I have found the stereotypes here to be untrue, and that's what I like about it so much.</p>
<p>Sid's only had three or so fire alarms go off, one due to a birthday cake, another due to overcooked popcorn. None due to smoking in the rooms as far as I know. Our RA did have a study break where they signaled everyone to come down to the commons for pizza by setting off the fire alarm, a very effective notification.</p>
<p>It's really easy to think of reasons why I love being at Rice, a lot harder to come up with complaints. Rice really does go through a lot of trouble to make sure you're adjusted and happy, from O-week to the college co-ordinators to academic advisors, etc. I have a few minor gripes about food (but keep in mind I'm generally a picky eater) sometimes, though all-in-all I'm not unhappy with it. My professors this semester haven't been the most approachable of people. I mean they're nice but not the most socially adept people (as a math major I should have expected this). My honors cal teacher is INCREDIBLY brilliant (one of the top three algebraists in the U.S.) and rather easy to talk to, but he had a hard time explaining things in simple terms (b/c to him he WAS talking in simple terms). But this is just one semester and one particular set of professors. I've heard stories of worse as well as much better professors, and the story will be the same anywhere. If you need help it's generally easier to get it from another student, but the professors do care and will help you with anything you need.</p>
<p>As an anecdote my cal class has switched teachers this year. The previous professor wrote the book that we use and several times members of my study group went to the previous professor for help, and he was glad to give it. He took time to help out students who weren't even in his class.</p>
<p>I am sorry that I am not really contributing anything to the actual specifics about academic and social life at Rice, but I just thought that Lovett needs some representation here. Sid and Baker are not the best. Lovett is! I have nothing against Baker, because I really like your commons, but I am at Sid a couple of times a week and I just want to point out that there is NO community there! Sure, Lovett has crappier rooms, but we are a big family here! Plus, Sid is just Lovett's colony and you guys have bad food! </p>
<p>HAHA.... Sorry, I guess that was childish, this is just a preview to all you prospective students on what the competition is like between the colleges! </p>
<p>Lovett has had so many fire alarms also! Like four or five this semester. It sucks, because it is always at night when you are trying to get some homework done or when you are trying to watch TV (the latter is more applicable to me). </p>
<p>Pot-Smoking (see I am contributing to the actual topic now) I know of a couple of rooms at Lovett where where smoking is a recreational activity.... Mainly because it is my suite! (Not me though) So that kinda sucks, because a lot of the people who partake decide to congregate in my suitemate's room. The good thing is that with the suite you can just close the door that connects you through the bathroom and lock it and you don't have to worry about anyone wandering in. Also my suite usually closes their door so I don't have to really deal with this problem.</p>
<p>Bad teachers- I only had one bad teacher this semester. It was my Gen Chem teacher. I hated the class and I hated how she taught. I hear that she is no longer the teacher for it so I guess that gives y'all something to be happy about. My math teacher isn't that great (I am taking the Fundamental theorem of Calculus Class.... aka Slow Calc.... aka Slacker Math) but he cares a lot about helping the students. All of my teachers were very open to helping the students, so even if you are struggling there is always someone willing to help you.</p>
<p>torrestowers and jeremiah - thx for your responses! While you both seem very pleased overall, it seems there is a bit of discontent with the instructors you've had so far. Sure, they are very willing to help but may not be able to: "...tried to explain in simple terms but that WAS "simple" for him...yet could not get it across..." or something to that effect. General chem teacher sounded like a bust etc....Don't get me wrong - it is early in the first quarter of the game and you will no doubt, get some fabulous teachers in the semesters ahead.</p>
<p>Can anyone offer comparisons/contrasts to Rose Hulman? I've heard great things about RH, though it does not have nearly the stature or prestige as Rice. Thx</p>
<p>Just to add my opinion as a Rice student, I think the best plan to do it high school is seriously to stack up on APs, as long as your GPA doesn't dip below 3.5 or so. It is insane the kind of freedom you can come to Rice with, especially if you have 30+ credits. All it really means is that you can essentially base the philosophy of your schedule on "quality over quantity." You then do not have to take anything just for credit or for distribution; you can take few classes that really (not remotely) interest you and can really put in effort to get the most out of them. You will most likely have a better time, more balanced life, and (sad to say) better grades.</p>
<p>Again, thx for the comments to my question. I will probably come across as a true dimwit but here's what I'm getting: "General chem teacher was horrible; slow calc teacher cares alot but not a great teacher; math teacher nice but not the most socially adept; honors calc teacher brilliant but unable to speak simple English; disappointment with an econ class that wasn't well taught."</p>
<p>"Other than that, amazing experience. Gorgeous campus, uber-nice people".</p>
<p>Mostly, I have super positive images of Rice in my head. I've read many glowing comments about the university; students seem very happy there!
Yet, I encounter some difficulty in getting everything to "add up". I'm probably missing something.</p>
<p>Maybe I'm expecting ALL teachers at Rice to be fabulous and am setting myself up for disappointment when I read about less than able teachers.
May be a case of unrealistic expectations!</p>
<p>Hope this makes sense. Sorry to sound like such an idiot!</p>
<p>I think you kinda have an unreal expectation of the teachers here. I want to elaborate a little more on my math class. This is the lowest level of math that you can take at Rice. Roughly 50% of the class are athletes and they have their athletic tutors so the class isn't difficult for them. The other half is a mixture of people who want an easy A and already took calc in high and they just want to get the distribution credit and the rest are people like me who have never enjoyed math and have not come from a strong math foundation. The teacher is good. I guess I think he is bad because I am not used to a college math class. I don't have an A in the class not because of his teaching style, but because I don't put the work into it. I was used to the teachers always assigning hw on each section and kinda holding your hand through the whole process. College isn't like that. The teachers don't assign you hw on each section because they don't have time to grade all that work. So they test you on that because they expect for you to have taken the initiative to do the work yourself.</p>
<p>Also, for Chemistry, Professor Hennessy just had a teaching style I did not like. I am not going to say that she was a good teacher because I still don't think that she is. I was not able to follow her lectures and she seemed to cater to the people who already took Chem or AP Chem in HS. Chem at my HS sucked so I didn't take it there and I have never taken chem before so I was so lost in class. </p>
<p>My intro to Bio teacher is Amazing. I love Dr. Gustin. My nutrition teacher was brilliant too. So was my Spanish teacher. </p>
<p>You are just going to encounter some teachers that aren't so great. It seems like the Math teachers are all foreign, so their accents sometimes become an obstacle in understanding their lectures. My calc teacher has a Korean accent and doesn't pronounce certain letters the same way that we do in English so it is hard sometimes to get what he says, but it really isn't that big of a deal. I get most of it.</p>
<p>I don't know if that helped at all.</p>
<p>torrestowers - your post made things much clearer! And yes, I feared I was expecting too much, having read such glowing things about Rice. With a "reality check", I wouldn't honestly expect every professor/instructor at Rice to be fantastic; MIT, CalTech, the Ivies as well as the community colleges, all have their share of folks whose strength is not teaching. Thx.</p>
<p>There will be professors at every college that you'll probably find less than satisfactory, from my understanding they're generally in the large introductory courses and by the time you start taking courses in your field of study you know who to take and the professors are interested in the same thing you are. (This is not to say you can't have great intro course professors, like Torres' bio teacher, Gao, etc. I would also like to clear up what I said about my cal teacher. He is very well spoken and a native born english speaker. He just generally is not used to trying to express complex situations in simpler terms. He is a really great teacher if you're smart enough to follow him, which sadly I've found I'm not always. It is an honors class after all.)</p>
<p>You WILL get professors with accents you won't be able to understand at first. I couldn't understand a word my number theory professor said at first b/c he had a HEAVY indian accent. It's just something you get used to (all part of that diversity thing). On the opposite side, one of my professors had a german accent that I really enjoyed listening to.</p>
<p>One HUGE thing that I've neglected to mention about Rice compared to similar institutions is its undergraduate focus. Here undergrads are 1st class citizens. If you want to do research you're generally not competeing with grad students for the opportunity. Also the undergrad professors generally care about teaching students more than the research they're currently working on. You won't be taught by grad students in almost all classes (in the large intro classes you will sometimes have smaller recitation sessions led by grad students, though they just as well may be lead by the professor). Once you get into the upper level classes the class size will drop, and you'll have a lot more one-on-one. Many of the advanced classes will have only a handful of students in them (or in some cases, just you and the professor). CalTech and MIT were mentioned, I've had friends at both (and even considered both). My friend at CalTech eventually transfered, his reasons were simple "I said the professors didn't teach. They said they didn't care." MIT is heavily graduate focused and a lot of the time you will be taught by a TA or grad student.</p>
<p>Someone mentioned Rose Hulman. The good things I've heard about RH are all about its engineering program. The impression I get of it is a strictly engineering school located in a truly boring town (Terre Haute is a really uninteresting place). If you absolutely know engineering is for you then I suppose it would be a good fit, but trust me when I say that you'd have a lot more fun at Rice (as well as more diversity in interests in the student body).</p>
<p>My Econ class is taught by a grad student right now, but that's the only one. It's just a hard class, a lot of concepts to cover...and it's not that she is a bad teacher, she just doesn't go above and beyond the book very often. But the professors here are very approachable if you want them to be. Of course you can't expect a professor to do anything if you never take the initiative; after all, they would like to see you do well but if you fail they're not going to get into trouble. So overall I would the professors here are really good.</p>