<p>Well, sorry if this is a waste of your time, but I’m trying to decide where to go next semester. I’ve got a full ride at Rice University (awesome school, no doubt) and a good scholarship at Brown University (not too shabby), and I’ve just found out about being accepted to U Penn. Though I haven’t found out about F.Aid at Penn, I’m having enough trouble deciding between Rice and Brown. Though having been in Dallas for only five years, I think I’ve accepted the full punishment of Texas’ fickle, sizzling hot weather for whatever misdeed I committed; therefore, I’d love to go to the NorthEast for a change. However, I see the benefits in staying close to home, having a car, and not having to borrow money, all of which result from the generostity of Rice’s financial aid department. But, at Brown and U Penn, I’m sure I’ll meet awesome people, have a more flexible curriculum, and enjoy more previleges and opportunities brought about by the Ivy League reputation. Seeking for a well-rounded undergrat education, an awesome choral department, and a laid-back, friendly atmosphere, I’m still trying to find my best fit. Please help me. In return I’ll send you good thoughts and prayers in Vietnamese (a very rare gift, you might say).</p>
<p>it kinda depends on what you want to major in. as a current penn engineer, i can tell you that the engineering school isn't that great, with the exception of 2 programs: Bioengineering is nationally #4 and Chemical is #5. The others are still pretty decent though. Friendly, laid-back-penn is the place. It also get competitive at times, but its just healthy competition. If you're premed, there the U of Penn Hospital on campus as well as the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia 5 mins away, and they're pretty easy with part time or work study obs and internships. </p>
<p>I dunno, I ended up choosing between Rice, Penn, and a coupla others, and I abso do not regret my decision to come to Penn...I'm having a blast;)</p>
<p>Penn has far more diversity than Rice, as well as a lot more exciting events and speakers coming onto campus, as well as a more vibrant social scene. In terms of extracurricular groups like choral groups for instance, Penn has some pretty damn good ones, but Rice's music school probably attracts some very gifted people as well. The 2 schools are roughly equal in the sciences and engineering, but Penn FAR outweighs Rice in the liberal arts and humanities. Also, there's probably more to do in Philly than Houston, but also a bit more crime.</p>
<p>I personally did choose Penn over Rice, as well as a whole bunch of other schools. But if money and closeness to home are major factors, then giving up Rice might be tough for you. Definitely do an overnight visit at Penn to get a real feel for the school, and this should help you better decide.</p>
<p>You have a tough choice. If this helps at all, my D (grew up in Dallas) said she would NEVER go to college in Texas. Well-Rice was the perfect fit for her and she just finished her soph year. She loves Rice and Houston. She thinks Houston is a great city- much better than Dallas for someone her age. She has taken advantage of all the cultural offerings. Her bf is from NY, and they have friends at Rice from all over the country. Penn is awesome, and S has it high on his list, but if you feel like Rice is the best choice for you for the reasons you stated (financial etc.), you will be happy. D has her car at Rice, by the way, and that has been great for her.</p>
<p>Thanks, you guys, for all the advice. Seems like Penn is a better fit for me, more intimidating, but better. I'm not trying to make things more complicated, but so far the discussion has centered on Rice vs. Penn. Could I get some opinions on Brown vs. Penn, please? Somehow Brown strikes me as having a fun and healthy college environment. And the open curriculum leaves a lasting affect. That said, how would Brown stack up to Penn? Any thing else I should consider? Right now I'm trying to come up to both schools for a visit. But I don't know how much there is to see at each school, even if summer school has begun. It's a different environment due to a smaller selection of students.</p>
<p>go to Penn b/c I'll be there...j/k...:p...
try checking out the one-liner thread in the parent's forum...i think someone described Brown as 2000 extroverts--sorry if I'm quoting wrong
a lot of parents have children who have gone to these schools, and they'll probably be able to help you, too
i picked penn over rice and brown--i'm from louisiana, so i know what the heat feels like...i felt like i'd had enough of the south for a while, but even at penn, you don't lose the southern hospitality (if that's a factor) b/c philly--and penn, especially--is like a southern city transposed to the northeast...there's so much more culture and diversity, too, at penn than in the south...but that's just MHO
let us know how it turns out :)</p>
<p>A full ride at Rice and your still thinking? I hope yr not going by the US News ranking because Rice was ranked higher than both Brown and UPenn just a few years back. I'd much rather graduate with having the $120K which is what you'll pay for UPenn's 4-year tuition.</p>
<p>medhope, college is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and an investment...if the OP has certain needs/wants that Rice cannot fulfill, but Penn or Brown can, then why not? sorry, i'm not very knowledgeable in this area, but i would think that graduates of any of the three schools would ultimately have high-enough paying jobs that $120K wouldn't make too too much of a difference in the very long run</p>
<p>Out of all the ivies, Penn's curriculum (Arts and Sciences) comes the closest to resembling Brown's open curriculum. You simply have to take classes in 7 academic sectors, which are SO broad that you can easily find classes of your interest to fulfill all 7. For instance, say you are interested in philosophy: I do know off the top of my head that there are philosophy courses in all 7 academic sectors, for instance. There is a language requirement, but you can simply take a placement test and pass out of it if you are already proficient in another language. Also, you can even take a certain number of classes pass/fail at Penn. But also in Brown's open curriculum, just keep in mind that you will have to fulfill course requirements for whatever major(s) you select (which may very well include courses in departments outside your major), just like at any other school, so it's not completely free. </p>
<p>Penn College and Brown College share a lot of the same types of applicants. Overall though, Brown students are a bit more intellectual, but also a bit more lazy. Plus, having been on Brown's campus several times, I can tell you that some of Brown's facilities and buildings are antiquated and worn down, as it is the least endowed of the ivies. However, if laid-back is your priority, then you don't get any more laid back than Brown. Hope this helps</p>
<p>Thanks for the great advice, everybody. Right now my head hurts so bad from thinking about this topic that I need a refund from Tylenol cauze it aint' working. Anyway, singing has been a big part of my life. I wonder which school has the most singing and performance opportunities for a non-music major. I heard that Brown has many a cappela groups. Not sure about Penn in that respect. And just to clarify, the scholarship amount I got from Brown is equal to the full ride at Rice, but we all know that Brown costs ten grams more than Rice a year. That's where work study, outside scholarships, federal loans, and working-my-butt-off-this-summer-at-ghetto-jobs come in. So, if I decide to go to Brown, I just wanna be confirmed that it's worth it. Right now I can't say that Penn will not give me financial aid because I don't know yet. But I'm guessing the case will be similar to Brown's.</p>
<p>i heard penn has great a cappella groups</p>
<p>if you are interested in joinging one of the choral groups when you apply, do you have to specify on the application? and would it help ur admission chance? thx</p>
<p>Rice clearly has the best music opportunities- even for non-majors. There are a number of vocal groups which are part of the excellent Shepherd School of Music. You have some great options.....</p>
<p>Penn has a ridiculous amount of a capella groups. Seriously it's insane. There is an a capella group for everything.</p>
<p>agree w/whartonalum...they have a male and female hindi a capella group (only such school in the nation, i think!)...i doubt that's what you're looking for, though</p>
<p>sorry, i don't know much about music departments of any of those schools...if you absolutely have no clue, try visiting all three, and go with a gut feeling</p>
<p>LAgal, having 120K in savings means earning like 250K. 120K would give you the freedom to take a year or two off and explore, do internships etc. in Europe, China, India or wherever else and build yr application for that super job you dreamed of. And with Rice's Shepherd school of music its a slam dunk for tienthangtuan.</p>
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LAgal, having 120K in savings means earning like 250K.
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<p>i'm confused, medhope...please clarify...how can 120K in savings be like earning 250K? is it because you don't have to pay off interest on loans?<br>
you're right medhope; i had never thought about taking time off w/that money, which would be an excellent opportunity to rediscover yourself, if nothing else</p>
<p>if you live in Texas, go to Rice! I was admitted to Rice but decided not to go b/c it was just wayyyyyy to far from my home. It's a wonderful place nonetheless. If Rice was placed in like New York or California, wow, the school would be AMAZING.</p>
<p>LAgal, here's a lesson on saving early in life being much more than saving later.</p>
<p>120K today with an after tax 5% compound rate of growth (which is easily achieveable) means having 195K 10 years from now. If 10 years from now you had a 250K per annum job (a bit difficult) after paying federal and state taxes of 25% means having 188K. If you had to pay a 120K loan and waited 10 years the difference would be greater.</p>
<p>I just want to say "thank you" to everybody for having contributed to this discussion and having helped me make up my mind. It took a while and much pain to swallow, but I'm really excited about where I'll be next semester. Again, thanks.</p>