Help with choosing a college?

College Search & Selection
1

Hi CC,

Like many other posters, I would appreciate some guidance with choosing which college to go to. I was lucky enough to be admitted to USC, Rice and URochester. I’m still waiting for replies on Ivy Day, but I’m not expecting any acceptances.

Cost-wise, my parents are willing and able to cover the cost of attendance for all three. Naturally, I’d still like to save money where possible, particularly for my parents’ retirement. I received scholarships from Rochester and USC, so the tuition + room and board costs for each are approximately 48k for Rochester, 54k for USC and 57k for Rice.

I’m going to be majoring in engineering, but I’m not sure what yet. From what I’ve heard, I believe Rice has the best engineering program…? Please correct me if I’m wrong.

I also like Rice’s environment, with the friendly students and the residential college system. I went to a summer program in URochester over summer and liked it fine, although most students were gone so I don’t know how it would be like during the school year. I’m an international student, so I won’t be able to visit USC or Rice before I make a decision. If anyone has any insights about the atmospheres of both the schools or the cities they’re located in, please enlighten me! It’s important to me that the students are collaborative, not cutthroat, and that partying isn’t too overwhelming (which I don’t think is a problem at any of them).

Right now, it’s probably between Rice and USC since I like the weather there more and their engineering programs seem better, but Rochester’s lower cost stops me from completely eliminating it. Any help and suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you!

Edit: Oh, and I might return to my home country for work, so prestige is a small but still present factor.

2

I hate to have to bump this thread, but it’s already buried in page 6 and I’d really appreciate some insight. Can anyone help me?

3

All I know is that Rice is known for having some of the happiest students. I think the quality of life there is very good

4

I’ll try to keep your thread afloat by concurring with you that Rice probably does have the most highly regarded engineering program in this group, even if the margin is not that great.

I’d like to make a case for the fine URochester, but I’d partly describe their draw as being related to their varied seasons, which you’ve indicated is not something that would appeal to you. Briefly, though, it seems you would definitely like their academic and social mix.