<p>A few days ago, I received a likely letter from Rice. I am excited I got into a great school, but I don't know much about Rice, to be honest. It is amazing that I got in and it could very well be the best school to which I'll be accepted. Therefore, I'd like to be enthusiastic about it. What I'd like is for people who know a lot about the school or go there can tell me why I should go there. That way, once decision letters come, I won't be disappointed if I "have to" go to Rice.</p>
<p>Can you please compare it especially to these schools and tell me why it's better(or worse, for that matter) than them?:
Tufts
Columbia
Dartmouth
UPenn
Cornell
Carnegie Mellon
Rice
Northwestern
Duke
Caltech
WashU</p>
<p>Thanks a lot! I am committed to liking this school on the off-chance I get in nowhere else, but I need some justification to be enthusiastic.</p>
<p>Shouldn't we be trying to convince you to go elsewhere so we get in?</p>
<p>But it offers the so desired small, discussion based classes with a fairly large amount of course selection. A very LAC sized 5,000 total students with Division 1 sports, including an EXCELLENT baseball team. Access to Houston while maintaining a tree full campus.</p>
<p>Really need more info. re: your intended major & activities. Rice is as good as or better than almost any school in the U.S. The main concern for many students considering Rice is the hot, humid weather; while the main benefit is outstanding academics. Did you apply to all twelve schools listed in your original post?</p>
<p>I'm sorry, I worded that very poorly. God I feel like an <em>expletive</em>. What I really mean is that I want to legitimately like the school, but I don't know much about it. It is a very real possibility that it is the only place I'll get in - not because I consider it a safety, but because I already know I will get in. I will visit it eventually, but I want to be able to say "It doesn't matter. I already got into Rice!" with complete sincerity when rejection letters start coming in. As it is now, I feel uneasy because I don't know the highlights of the school. It is the farthest school on my list, so I don't think I'll get a chance to visit unless I am persuaded to take it much, much more seriously as a great option.</p>
<p>Edit: Oh yea, my intended major is engineering. I'm not too sure of what kind at this point, but I'm considering computer science, computer engineering, or biomedical engineering.</p>
<p>Well, I'd say Rice is more fun than any other school in the world. I realize that's a very bold statement, but if you take a look at our traditions, our school spirit, our residential college system, our infamous parties, and everything, I think you'll find that this is at least a plausible conclusion to make.</p>
<p>I'd go into more detail, but I feel like a lot of it is covered in the link that pedrossi gives (post #2).</p>
<p>Academically, I will say that our compsci program is frequently ranked within the top 3 or so, and bioE is likewise an awesome major. If you're looking to do pre-med, on top of that, then I think Rice is above and beyond the best choice from your list even regardless of how much "fun" we are.</p>
<p>*By the way, a likely letter isn't necessarily the same as a 100% guarantee at acceptance.</p>
<p>Thank you for your reply, clendenator. I know a likely letter isn't everything, but it is something, and it makes me much more confident than I was before. Is it very common for likely letter recipients not to be admitted?</p>
<p>I don't know because I think this is the first year they've done it (in the past they were too busy with interim decision, which doesn't exist anymore). I've never heard of anyone (on this website/in person) receiving one from another school and later not getting in, but I just don't want you to feel heartbroken on the off off chance that it does happen.</p>
<p>No other research university, except Yale, has a comparable residential college system. Can't compare the other colleges you have listed except for Duke, (4 family members are grads). From personal experience I would give the edge to Rice for quality of undergraduate instruction, diversity, and especially the residential colleges. One bioengineer from Duke, one from Rice. Again, Rice has the edge for my money (and it was my money). The research opportunities in bioengineering for undergrads at Rice are unlimited.</p>
<p>Even Yale's residential college is slightly lacking compared to Rice's. The presence of fraternities gives students at Yale an escape out of their college (also the secret societies present an extra stigma). At Rice, the colleges are EVERYTHING and EVERYONE has one.</p>
<p>Actually at Yale the freshman have their own dorm, although with their residential college peers. The problem is that they don't have the same support you get at Rice...just when you need it most. Freshman year is hard and the support you get a Rice from the upperclassmen and the whole residential college "family" is what really makes the difference between Rice and anywhere else.</p>
<p>The other big difference with our colleges is that we're completely self-governing, which means that we really have to be invested in our colleges. They're not just where we live; they're our homes.</p>