Goodbye Rice! Perhaps we'll meet again?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Rice University
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<p>I'll begin by saying congratulations everybody who got in, those who are going, and those who will be attending college somewhere else. I'll be part of the latter, I'm sad to say, and if you don't want to read this sobstory of a post... please go somewhere else, because I will doing just that--sob-storying. haha</p>

<p>I want to say what a fantastic experience I've had with all things Rice and Rice CC forum related. I've fallen in love (I admit I still am) with Rice University, and it's a testament to the friendliness and utter enthusiasm for the school that all those who frequent these forums display (because I've only read almost every topic in the past 100 days). You're the best. </p>

<p>The magic of Rice made it so that I never encountered anybody I didn't like (not that I dislike a whole lot of people)--not even the supposedly rude people at admissions and financial aid, who surprised me with admission in the first place and a generous financial aid package that just fell short of making attendance affordable for me. I seriously lol'd at Monkeystar's topic "Has anyone ever been unhappy at Rice??" and the few responses because I have thought the exact same thing time and time again--attending Owl Days, reading the CC forums, and first stumbling on the university's princetonreview listing. Rice is just one of those special places, and any undergrad going to that beautiful campus this fall has a lot to be happy for.</p>

<p>"Summer camp for nerds," "nerd family," "idyllic"--a few words I've heard to describe this incredible school in Houston. If you truly love learning for learning and if you want to leave behind the type A's and covert competition that will surely be at my school, consider Rice. It's a small school, but don't let that turn you off because you'll probably love being a part of this amazingly accepting family. There's this crazy mix of tradition and innovation that places students first, politics and bureaucracy last. And those type A's that mentioned before? You all (I admit, I probably have a type A card somewhere...) will probably appreciate being able to nurture what makes you you, instead of constantly trying to set yourself apart from the crowd. (There's a difference, you know.) You probably don't need to hear that the students are, well, really smart, that the administration and faculty puts their utmost trust in them and gives them their full attention, and that Houston is an up and coming city whose weather isn't as bad as you think. If its Texan location gives you some hesitation, get over it. Pardon my simile, but Rice is like a little intellectual greenhouse for those who want to get out from the storms that brew out of the East Coast intensity.</p>

<p>Yeaaa in case you haven't realized it yet, I love Rice. And I'll probably have to stop holding every school, especially the one I'll be attending, to the standard Rice has set. Appreciate this chance to attend the school of my (and hopefully your) dreams and good luck!</p>

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<p>^^I’m sad to hear you won’t be there in the fall. You sound like just the sort of thoughtful person Rice needs… Good luck wherever you’ve chosen to attend!</p>

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<p>lol. I was curious! </p>

<p>But hopefully you can make my dream of attending rice become true. =D</p>

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<p>lol how would I do that?</p>

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<p>Good luck! I completely agree with everything you said. I hope you weren’t unable to attend because of financial aid… =[ That would be really unfortunate.</p>

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<p>No, it’s true. Rice was the place I would be happiest, but I didn’t get anything more out of my appeal. I would be upwards of $80,000 in debt by the time I graduated. And then I wouldn’t really be that happy.</p>

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<p>damn that sucks. We will truly miss you… You sound like the type of person I could definitely get to meet and friend.</p>

<p>Good luck to wherever you will attend… and good choice in financial situation, shows you are more than just a “one trick pony” who just cares about prestige and not about finance</p>

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<p>Well, I’m still waiting on the waiting list. ='(</p>

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<p>OP, I feel the EXACT same way as you do… we’re all nerds at heart.</p>

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<p>OP - My S also had to decline entirely because of finances. In the absolute best case; with merit scholarships, limited savings and projected contributions, we were still looking at significant debt after 4 years. Clicking that decline button was one of the most painful things he ever did (even more painful for me to witness) since Rice is everything he had ever dreamed of in a school.<br>
S will be going to state school/honors with strong program in his field. Like you, he is not bitter, just sad that Rice didn’t work out for him. He knows his current choice will still provide excellent opportunities and he will be able to go forward without worrying all the time about the money issues that would no doubt have haunted all of us.
We are extraordinarily proud of him; for all he has accomplished so far and for all he is bound to accomplish going forward.<br>
I’m sure your parents feel the same pride for you and appreciate the maturity you have under these circumstances. I wish you happiness and success at the school you will be attending. As many people have pointed out to me recently … at the school you will be going to, you may meet the mentor that will change your life and/or the best friend in the world and/or the love of your life. Good luck!!</p>

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<p>I’m in the same situation as you (the OP) and HopesForTheBest’s son and definitely know how you feel…</p>

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<p>Thank you, OP, for the beautiful post. And best of luck to you at wherever you choose to attend. Rice truly is a special place, and it was an absolute wonderful fit and experience for my s. I don’t think what I am about to say will be helpful at this point, but what the heck-- maybe a future applicant will think about it. Mind you, none of these issues are guarantees, but there are plently of opportunities to defray the cost of tuition. </p>

<p>One of my s’s friends at Rice paid for her tuition by applying to a gazillion small scholarships she found on fastweb and the other scholarship sites. Apparently no one particular scholarship was a lot of money in and of itself, but it added up and paid her tuition. I guess she won a lot of renewable scholarships.</p>

<p>There are also scholarships for upper classmen. Not all are for freshmen. And there were several campus jobs available. My s looked into a job on campus that would have paid I think it was 40% of his tuition. Granted it was a big time committment, but it paid a lot. DS didnt end up applying for it, but our friend’s s did the next year and it worked out very well for him (and them!). There were also lots of other job opportunities on campus that were not limited to “work-study” students.</p>

<p>My s also got some small merit scholarships each year as an upper classman. Granted it didnt make a huge dent in the tuition, but $2000 here and $3000 there does add up.</p>

<p>So, while I am truly sorry to hear that you and a few others here won’t be attending Rice for financial reasons, … dont forget to think outside that “box” of theirs. There are other opportunities to defray or reduce costs.</p>