<p>Penn and Vanderbilt are the hardest to get into. Both have much lower acceptance rates than Rice or Cornell, plus higher SAT scores. Rice and Cornell are about equal in this matter.</p>
<p>So, between Rice and Cornell which one is more suitable to you? Rice is in a much warmer climate, and in a major metro area. Cornell is in an isolated small town with lots of snow (plus has the East Coast snob appeal – for better or worse).</p>
<p>Personally, I suggest Rice. It is by far the smallest school of the four and might give your application more personal consideration. Tuition is lower than any of the others. Probably less bureaucracy, with its 5 to 1 student to faculty ratio. Rice is a very serious university, but also makes the list of having the happiest students.</p>