<p>@cdz512:</p>
<p>I know exactly how you feel. I was accepted to both Duke and Rice (which I probably already told you before), and it was VERY HARD turning down Duke. I never thought I would get into either of these fine universities. Duke has a nationally renowned environmental sciences program, and it was hard turning that down as well. It pretty much came to 3 days before May 1st before I made a decision.</p>
<p>However, one of the things that turned the tables for me was Rice’s merit offer; it was too good of an offer to pass up. 30 percent of incoming freshmen this year got a merit scholarship offer of some sort. Don’t be surprised if you get a merit offer from Rice; that is how they try and lure you 
It is still very difficult to get merit aid, but it is definitely easier to get good merit aid/financial aid at Rice than at any of the other top 20 universities, including Duke, Emory, Vanderbilt, JHU, WashU, etc.</p>