<p>i'm really having trouble deciding between the two. i'm going to be a psychology major doing premed, and hopefully doubling in something else like business, pharmacy, or engineering. i'm looking to go to the school that has a lighter workload(so i don't study 20 hrs/day), and easier ability to get a high GPA. </p>
<p>rice
-guaranteed mentorship
-86% med school acceptance
-5:1 student teacher ratio</p>
<p>vanderbilt
-10k cheaper than rice
-70%? med school acceptance</p>
<p>and how much exactly does the undergraduate loan matter in graduate school and afterwards? like, if i take 12k in loan(rice) or 22k in loan(vandy), will it be hard for me to pay off after grad school or what?</p>
<p>I'm in your same situation and I live in Nashville, so if you have any questions, PM me.</p>
<p>I chose Rice, but I think you'd be happy at either.</p>
<p>As far as loans go, you're talking about chump change (half a car, you'll be able to pay that off). And, if you're going to Med School, you'll definately be able to pay that off.</p>
<p>
[quote]
vanderbilt
-10k cheaper than rice
if i take 12k in loan(rice) or 22k in loan(vandy)
[/quote]
Okay, so I'm confused here. If Vandy is 10k cheaper than Rice, why would you pay 22K in loans at Vandy and only 12K at Rice????? Something is not right with the info you posted. If Rice is cheaper, definitely go to Rice. It's a better school.</p>
<p>I was considering Rice and Vanderbilt and ultimately decided to not even apply to Vanderbilt. It seems as though the Vandy social scene is dominated by the Greek system and I wasn't interested in joining. Also Vanderbilt just seemed more snobby and elitist than Rice.</p>
<p>"Also Vanderbilt just seemed more snobby and elitist than Rice."
"diversity not just racially, but also, Vandy is rumoured to have all rich stuck up chaps"</p>
<p>If you believe this, you clearly have not visited Vanderbilt in the last 10 years. The student body has wealthy kids but they are definitely not "stuck up" -- the kids here are very friendly and approachable. This statement is equivalent of someone saying "Rice is filled with a bunch of socially awkward engineers." Also -- it seems as if some of the visits of posters on this page were self-fufilling prophecies. From my three years at the school, I'd venture to say Vanderbilt is one of the most hospitable colleges in the country. But it will definitely be hard for people to shake your hand, when you have a closed-fist.</p>
<p>My friend, who's daughter goes to Vandy always has me laughing at the description of the woman, dressed in their very best summer dresses AND heels, standing and cheering at all the sports games. She spends a ton on clothes! Rice seems much more relaxed and less preppy. From what I understand most people dress in relaxed clothing and not many of the woman even wear makeup once they're at school. Of course this is anecdotal, but it highlights some possilbe differences, but may not be universally true.</p>
<p>Yeah, nobody quantizes characteristics like these, so it's hard to describe anything without an anecdote. As far as anecdotes go, there's usually a counter-dote, so give up all hope.</p>
<p>"My friend, who's daughter goes to Vandy always has me laughing at the description of the woman, dressed in their very best summer dresses AND heels, standing and cheering at all the sports games. She spends a ton on clothes! Rice seems much more relaxed and less preppy. From what I understand most people dress in relaxed clothing and not many of the woman even wear makeup once they're at school. Of course this is anecdotal, but it highlights some possilbe differences, but may not be universally true."</p>
<p>Laura your post is terribly inaccurate and not the norm so I decided to add some anedotal evidence about Rice:</p>
<p>My friend, who's son goes to Rice always has me laughing at the description of the woman, with the apperance of these girls resembling something out of Ripley's Believe it or not. These specimen are so morphed and deformed it is absolutely hilarious as they obsess over that last calculus problem. Who needs social skills? Or even showering? Oh -- and the girls spend tons on calculators!! Forget nice charming girls you can bring home to mom and dad, you can finally find that nerdy and math-orientated girl you've always wanted. From what I understand most people at Vandy are good-looking, athletic, and gregarious (but who needs people-skills in the real world?). Of course this is all anecdotal, but it highlights some possible differences, but may not be universally true! Yay for judging schools on stereotypes!!!</p>
<p>I did graduate school at Vandy - so maybe not the full undergraduate experience - but I do tend to think money and social status are more obvious there than at Rice. I always remembered Jimmy Buffet talking about those "west Nashville grand ballroom gals."</p>
<p>One major difference in the schools is the absence of a Greek system at Rice. That in itself affects the social structure I think.</p>
<p>One great thing about Vandy was the music scene! Everyone records in Nashville (or at least used to), not just country folks, so you were likely to get "bonus" performances at most every concert in town. And Vandy had a lot of them on campus even.</p>