<p>Hello! I am admitted student with apx. 2 days left to decide between Middlebury College and Rice.</p>
<p>I was wondering if someone could answer my question about class size/style at Rice... I know the "median" class size is 15, but could someone quantify this better? I know intro classes are bound to be large, but once you declare you major and start taking higher level courses, how big are the classes? Also, are classes generally discussion based or lecture oriented at the higher levels? Also, how interested in the undergrads, in general, are the science profs? Do you say hi to your profs walking across campus when you reach higher level courses?</p>
<p>I just finished my first semester at Rice. Here’s my experience with professors and class sizes:</p>
<p>I took a 100-level philosophy course, and there were 20-ish students in a very nice room that was big enough to house quite a few more. Even though there were only 20 students or so, the class had a TA who actually helped out a lot. He delivered two complete lectures (and they were very good), he graded a number of assignments (with really extensive, kind, and helpful feedback), and he was always there in addition to the professor to answer questions about the course.</p>
<p>On the other end of the spectrum I participated in a VIGRE seminar. We met once a week in a classroom, and there were three of us plus the professor. I spent one evening one-on-one in the professor’s office for probably five or more hours putting together a poster for a poster conference. In other words–extreme amounts of individual attention.</p>
<p>I had a 300-level math course (analysis II) in which there were again around 20-ish students (but it seems to me there were fewer here than in the philosophy course). There was a grader for this class, but he never surfaced–he just existed in the background somewhere. Nevertheless the professor was extremely kind and always willing to help any student out.</p>
<p>My other two courses were both 400-level math courses, and they both had just around 10 students. Despite being math courses, there was a lot of discussion and interaction with the professors. One of the professors after the final lecture took me, a graduate student from the class, a visiting student and a visiting professor out to eat lunch at the faculty dining club.</p>
<p>I say hi to every one of my teachers whenever I pass them and frequently even have short conversations with them.</p>
<p>There are some big classes taught at Rice-especially in the sciences, but also plenty of small courses. Both my kids have/had close relationships with profs - one of my daughter’s profs is now a family friend, and we stay with her whenever we visit Houston and she has stayed with us in our city, and there are several other profs that DD (now two years out of school) are in contact with. Re: how interested in undergrads are the science profs - well, my son went to a research presentation featuring several profs and afterwards introduced himself and said that he’d be interested in doing some research; he was hired within a few days. He counts that prof as a mentor, and we got invited to the prof and his wife’s house when we were in Houston. A really great guy. And DS has had some fantastic training (including being sent to another state for several weeks to be trained on an expensive piece of research equipment), and opportunities to be paid to do his OWN research. I know these anecdotes are just that, anecdotes - but hopefully this will help you get a better feel for Rice.</p>
<p>For clarity, the only reason the TA delivered two lectures in my philosophy class was because the professor was stuck in England due to the volcanic ash. Without him class would have been cancelled for a week.</p>
<p>Also, the class would not have been as good as it was without the TA. </p>
<p>One should not assume that TAs are by default bad or unhelpful.</p>
<p>Each residential college has associated professors who often eat with the students – another easy way to get friendly with the faculty. Faculty advisors also lend a hand with clubs. Ties to professors don’t expire after the term is over – recently, my son has been in touch with profs he knows from previous classes to discuss primary resources for a paper that’s due soon. Last night his class was invited to his professor’s house for dinner – hardly uncommon. He’s had memorable conversations with profs outside the classroom – walking across campus, in the halls. Good luck to you with your decision!</p>