Choosing between Rice and Notre Dame

College Search & Selection
1

I’m having a really difficult time choosing between Rice and Notre Dame. I wanted to ask for any additional info/personal stories/input. Below are the pros and cons I came up with for each school. Some things (i.e. on-campus dining) I thought were comparable, so I did not include them. Something to note, I am a double legacy, and my sibling attends ND. Thus, we have a great deal of personal connections at ND. I received no financial aid from either school.

ND Pros:

  • First Year of Studies program seems really appealing as someone who is not sure if they want to major in engineering yet
  • Smaller engineering department (more personalized junior/senior years)
  • Sibling is there (since both of us would be there, we would take a third car with us)
  • Sports
  • Strong alumni network
  • Know where I will be living --> my brother can pull me into his dorm
  • Name recognition
  • More of a national university, in that I can work in a lot more places after graduation
  • Transportation (I live in western PA)
  • More expansive humanities department, if I decide not to major in engineering
  • Parents would be happier

Cons:

  • Weather
  • Less AP credit (I do not have much, though)
  • South Bend is not a thriving metropolis
  • Theology requirement (I was raised Catholic, but am agnostic…having gone to a Catholic high school taking a theology class is definitely doable for me though)
  • Parietals
  • Less diversity

Rice Pros:

  • Weather
  • More AP credit
  • No theology requirement
  • Co-ed housing
  • Off-campus dining
  • Location in Houston
  • Larger engineering department/more majors
  • More diversity

Cons:

  • Humanities is not as expansive/well-respected if I opt not to do engineering (but not by much)
  • No guaranteed housing for four years
  • Off-campus living is expensive, and I would probably need a car
  • Random residential college assignment (not all of them are created equal, either)
  • Likely to live in Texas after graduation (not sure if pro/con yet)
  • Lack of sports
  • Having to fly to get home for breaks, transportation costs
  • Heat and humidity
2

This is one of those situations where I think you’d regret either decision because you couldn’t take the other. However after a while at either I think you’ll like your decision. I’d take Notre Dame personally, but both are good.

3

Go with Rice. To be honest, ND is a great school, but its probably pretty boring and as you said the weather sucks. Plus, you can get used to living in texas, as you attend Rice. Good luck wherever you go.

4

I love ND, but I’d consider Rice because it’s secular. Also, and I’m part Irish, but there are too many at ND, and there is little diversity. And yes, why on earth do they barbecue on game day, wearing kilts in miserable weather at 9 a.m.!

OTOH, the Owls don’t have a chance to play in the BCS any time soon. Unless you love football, as do I, go to Texas.

5

Ah yes Notre Dame; a school with a French name that calls its teams the, “The Fighting Irish.” The team mascot is a leprechaun who dresses in green, while the official colors of the unversity are blue and gold.

6

If you are not a sports fanatic, stay away from ND. Sports is over the top there and will drive the serious student crazy! South Bend is no big shakes. I consider Rice in the same class as Duke and Stanford. Not so much for Our Lady’s University.

7

I actually really like sports, and consider ND football and basketball to actually be a major plus.