<p>I am an international student and I've been torn by my ED decision recently. I want to pursue not only bachelor's degree, but also master's or even PH.D. of physics (or computer science) . I know my scores are not great, but I still have a chance to reach Rice or Cornell at best.
TOEFL 100
SAT verbal670 math760 writing750
(activities may not be considered)
Money does matter, and I attach much importance to physics rankings. Then comes the problem. Rice is the best bet to make for saving money and double major; Cornell is the best bet for physics study and international reputation. If I am lucky enough to be admitted to either, I will still feel regret.
It is a better choice for me to apply to Rice in ED? Is Rice a strong university in physics that largely help undergraduates into top graduate schools? Are there any data proof?
Or is Cornell a much much better university in physics that worth larger risk of being rejected and higher expenditure?
Thank you very much if you could help me decide !</p>
<p>PS I have not taken SAT 2 yet , and I am plan to take it this Oct (estimated score 2300+ for math 2, physics and chemistry)</p>
<p>The school you choose for undergrad is generally far less important in the long run than the one that grants your advanced degrees. As an example, once you have a PhD from MIT, that is what people notice and remember about your education, not your undergraduate institution. Both Rice and Cornell have the potential to position you well for top advanced degree programs in physics, if you do well during your undergrad years. Choose the school that better suits you as an individual. Regardless of whether cost is your determining factor, Rice is an excellent choice.</p>
<p>Both Rice and Cornell are excellent. However, for a student with high need, usually it is not a good idea to apply ED. ED commits you to accepting an admission offer as long as you can afford to attend (even though other schools might have offered you even more aid).</p>
<p>When you consider the differences between these schools (and other selective schools), the most significant factor in your case may be the amount of aid available for international students. You might also want to consider the percentage of students who go on to complete PhDs in Physics.</p>
<p>Here are two lists of colleges with generous aid to international students:
[Top</a> 6 Need-blind Colleges in US for International Students - Desperate Guide: Undergraduate College Financial Aid, Scholarship](<a href=“http://www.desperateguide.com/us/top-6-need-blind-colleges-in-us-for-international-students]Top”>http://www.desperateguide.com/us/top-6-need-blind-colleges-in-us-for-international-students)
[Top</a> 25 Financial Aid Colleges in US for International Students (Need-aware) - Desperate Guide: Undergraduate College Financial Aid, Scholarship](<a href=“http://www.desperateguide.com/us/top-25-financial-aid-colleges-in-us-for-international-students-need-aware]Top”>http://www.desperateguide.com/us/top-25-financial-aid-colleges-in-us-for-international-students-need-aware)</p>
<p>Don’t assume that these lists are exhaustive and up-to-date.
You can find recent financial aid data for these and other schools, such as Rice and Cornell, in their “Common Data Set” files (Section H6 for aid to internationals). According to the Rice CDS, Section H6, for 2010-11 they awarded an average of $25,946 to 91 degree-seeking non-resident aliens. Cornell awarded an average of $37,622 to 213 degree-seeking non-resident aliens (keep in mind that Cornell is much larger than Rice). Some of the “top 25” colleges listed above awarded more than $40,000 on average. Of course, your own results might be above or below the averages.</p>
<p>As for PhD completions, have a look at the following lists:
[COLLEGE</a> PHD PRODUCTIVITY<a href=“Keep%20in%20mind%20that%20%22top%2010%22%20is%20an%20arbitrary%20cut-off;%20%20number%2011%20or%20number%2025%20might%20have%20Physics%20programs%20that%20are%20just%20as%20good.%20Rice%20or%20Cornell%20might%20have%20slightly%20lower%20numbers%20only%20because%20more%20of%20their%20students%20choose%20medical%20school,%20not%20PhD%20programs.”>/url</a></p>
<p>Do any colleges show up on BOTH lists (for generous aid to internationals AND high Physics PhD production)? I see three: Princeton, MIT, and Reed College. Princeton and MIT are super selective; your admission chances would not be high. Reed College is an excellent small college that you may have overlooked.</p>
<p>[url=<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reed_College]Reed”>Reed College - Wikipedia]Reed</a> College - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia](<a href=“http://www.reed.edu/ir/phd.html]COLLEGE”>Doctoral Degree Productivity - Institutional Research - Reed College)</p>
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<p>Thank you(Griffen) for your encouragement, I’ve made up my mind to apply to Rice ED, and I believed that I will succeed in getting into top of Rice(which probably means a promising graduate school).
(to tk21769)However, I still feel confused whether ED and financial aid are mutually exclusive. If they are, it is recommended that I should try for aid? I am afraid I cannot even be admitted…
(Anyway, I feel warm when I see Chinese characters on the linked pages)</p>
<p>Or… Are there any members on College Confidential from Rice,GeorgiaTech , UIUC or any other universities who would like to talk about their schools?</p>
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</p>
<p>They are not mutually exclusive.
However, if a school wants to accept an ED candidate, it does not have a strong incentive to make its most generous financial aid offer, because by applying ED, you are committing to accept any offer (as long as you can afford to attend). When you apply RD, you can compare offers and accept the most generous one.</p>
<p>I would choose Rice over Cornell because it is in Houston whereas Cornell is in the middle of nowhere</p>
<p>Cornell is in the country, and very beautiful country at that! Some people may prefer that over a large city, and some may prefer a NY climate to that of Houston. I don’t think the OP mentioned a preference. I would take Cornell in a heartbeat!</p>
<p>Thank you everyone here caring about me (especially tk). My dream school is rice(which can be easily found) and I prefer ED for better chance(even though there’s some loss).
I’ll just go on to my essay writing and SAT2, and… I hope to see you again as a rice admitted freshman!</p>