<p>So right now I'm trying to decide between Rice, UCLA, and UC Berkeley. Currently I love Rice the most (have yet to visit though... that might change my mind :/ will probably be going to Owl Days) but the cost difference between Rice and the UCs versus the difference in education/experience/connections/prestige isn't really tilting in Rice's favor right now. </p>
<p>Cost of Rice: $48k/yr
Cost of Berkeley: $30k/yr (better school for PoliSci, more prestigious in CA (?) )
Cost of UCLA: $27k/yr (after $3k/yr merit scholarships, priority enrollment, etc)</p>
<p>That makes Rice $20k/yr more expensive than UCLA, and I'm not sure if I can convince my dad that the difference between Rice and UCLA is worth that much. Would the future benefits from going to Rice be worth it? Especially if I'm not particularly keen on working in Houston/TX in the long run? Though I applied as a PoliSci major I may or may not stay as one, I'm also interested in Econ and Policy Studies. </p>
<p>Can any current/past Rice students weigh in on why they chose Rice, whether it is "worth it", future job/networking opportunities, and/or the "prestige" of a Rice degree outside of TX? Also are there many on-campus job opportunities (though that won't make up the $20k difference haha)? I'm still waiting on Ivies but my chances are minuscule so I'm starting my decision making process right now :) Thanks!</p>
<p>Hey, wow, I am almost in the exact same situation as you. </p>
<p>Rice is going to cost 48k for me, while University of Maryland is going to cost about 21k total (I am in state). </p>
<p>I too have yet to visit Rice, but from what I have heard so far, it seems like a really fantastic place. I also have yet to hear back from ivies, but I’m not getting my hopes up. </p>
<p>I think this is really one of the hardest decisions we have to make, and it will take a lot of time and thinking. As of now, I feel like the cheapest option (UMD) is the smarter option. UMD has a very good engineering program, but I really like Rice’s close-knit community and small department size. It just seems that I would get more attention.</p>
<p>Anyways, just know that you are not alone. It would be interesting to see what others would have to say on this topic, for I am in the same situation. </p>
<p>If you are only looking at numbers, of course UCLA will win. Unfortunately, the financial decision plays a huge part of this so that is a very personal matter. </p>
<p>If you are looking at fit, that is what you’ll have to decide. Which school fits you the best and where will you be the happiest? </p>
<p>All three schools are very good but there is a huge difference between Rice in the two California schools you mentioned.</p>
<p>Rice is so much smaller than Berkeley and UCLA. In my opinion, the smaller the school the better it is for undergraduates. The experience is better for the students. The teachers love to teach small classes and at bigger universities (state schools) the professors do not like teach. They’d rather research or teach graduates or small classes. They have a huge weed out program at the large universities, which is part of their curriculum. You ought to read Colleges that Change Lives by Loren Pope. He explains the differences between large universities and smaller schools like Rice. Rice is a place to learn for the sake of learning; whereas, a large university is a place to just get the grade to survive due to weed out/curves, etc. For example, smaller schools have lots of essays; whereas, large universities use bubble tests, which is easier for the professor to grade. Also, the larger universities have TA’s that teach the classes which is a scam. You are paying a lot of money for these classes and it is inconceivable that they are not being taught by professors. In my opinion, that is a crime. I would only recommend the larger universities for graduate school because the class sizes are small. I recently asked my daughter’s best friend’s dad if he would recommend a state university for his daughter. He said absolutely not. Never! He said the smaller schools are so much better than the state schools because of the experience. He said the experience is terrible for the students at a large university. My husband can also relate to this. He went to UT at Austin and he said every class was a weed out class and he was simply a number. He said tens of thousands students were in the business school when he started and only 2,000 graduated. The rest flunked out or transferred. We have another friend who graduated cum laude from Rutgers and he said all of his friends who studied just as hard as he did all flunked out. Their parents paid $30,000 a year to see their child fail. So they wasted their money because of the weed out process. It is an eye opener for sure. I hope this helps. Just ask a lot of questions and visit the campuses. You’ll know pretty quick which one is where you want to live the next four years. It is all about FIT! </p>
<p>My son chose Southern Methodist University because of the size (total of 6K undergraduate), the engineering program, and the location. He loves Dallas and felt at home there. It was a huge fit for him. There are so many good schools out there to pick from. </p>
<p>We have a friend who applied several years ago to 7 top tier schools and one safety school and she was wait-listed/denied at all the the top tier schools and got accepted to UMD Honors program (safety school). </p>
<p>She was so shocked that she didn’t get accepted to any of the ivy schools and didn’t want to go to University of Maryland at all. Her parents were absolutely livid that she didn’t get accepted to the ivy’s. They just didn’t understand that the ivy’s turn away people like her all the time because they don’t have have enough space for everyone. </p>
<p>She only applied to UMD as a backup and she says it turned out okay though. She told me when the professors walk in her honors classes, they always say comments like, “Oh, I’m so glad to see you. This is my favorite class.” She told me they say those things because the other classes are so big and they do not enjoy teaching those classes. She said the classes she takes are small so that is good! Case point! :)</p>
<p>Now, her parents want their second daughter to attend UMD!</p>
<p>I too applied to UMd as a safety and got into the honors program. It will definitely be a very tough decision between expensive, top tier schools and UMD, but I am currently leaning towards UMd for now. I will have to consult with more people.</p>
<p>I turned down UDM Honors and a substantial merit scholarship to attend Rice. Is my degree worth 20k/year more? I doubt it. I’m on substantial financial aid, so it’s irrelevant.</p>
<p>If money’s not an object, go where you feel most comfortable. If you can’t stomach the 20k/year:</p>
<ol>
<li>Talk to Rice’s financial aid department first. They can be quite accommodating.</li>
<li>There’s nothing wrong with either of your other options.</li>
</ol>
<p>This really boils down to whether the 21k extra will cause financial hardship or make a significant change to your family lifestyle. If that is the case, then I do not believe it is worth it.</p>
<p>UCLA and Cal are fantastic schools. That being said, if the 21k is feasible I would choose Rice!</p>
<p>@newjersey17 – yeah the fit and size of Rice is definitely what draws me right now, but unfortunately it seems like these are the only 2 factors (very important to me but not at all to my dad who’ll be bankrolling college lol) that are in Rice’s favor. Unfortunately it doesn’t seem like anyone has brought up anything else that is convincing me that Rice is better. :(</p>
<p>I am in the exact same situation. I have recently been accepted to UCLA, Berkley, and Rice. Honestly I really never wanted to go to a UC. Rice seems like an amazing school, and I love the small intimate atmosphere it seems to have. Obviously, I would not be the best person to answer your question because I have never been to Rice, but for me Rice is the clear first choice.(unless of course I find I do not like it at owl days)</p>
<p>Yup I always wanted to go to a smaller/medium sized private because I don’t really like the hugeness and faceless vibe I get from such large schools as the UCs. I definitely think visiting all three will help me make my decision though. Unless I absolutely fall in love with Rice but my dad won’t want to pay for it :/</p>
<p>We are in a similar position. My D applied to 10 schools and was accepted to all of them (including Rice) except WUSTL (waitlisted). She applied to some amazing schools including Rice, Vandy, William & Mary, Tulane, WashU, and Univ of Denver in her smaller to mid-size school choices. As a NMF, she also applied to some state flagship colleges with excellent Honors programs as her safeties knowing she’d get in and also receive significant aid offers. We’ve visited 8 of the 10, and as many that have gone through the process can tell you … you really cannot pre-judge or guess what “fit” will come out in the end. After visiting, the 2 Top schools in her list remained only Rice and one of the Top State Flagships, which had already made her a FABULOUS merit offer. She received significant merit offers worth considering from 5 out of the 10 schools she applied to, but Rice remained her sentimental #1. The last few weeks of waiting have been LONG. So, when the Rice letter came back without any award whatsoever, we were honored to have been accepted in such a competitive application year, but will have to turn down Rice’s offer because paying retail at 48K is significantly more than her other award offers. We’ve discussed it and going to an excellent university and graduating with no debt whatsoever far outweighs the benefits of undertaking the expense of Rice (or Vandy, etc.). For graduate school she will be free to choose any school she wishes knowing that she does not have the burden of that undergrad debt waiting for her at the end, so she can choose any institution, including Rice, for the next level. Good luck to all that were fortunate enough to be accepted to Rice, and who have found a way to make it happen financially … what a GREAT school!</p>
<p>UMD is a great school! I only wish I could have convinced DD to appy (she is NMF).</p>
<p>Rice is an awesome school! A strange mix of a LAC (size) but a powerful research institution (DD is a science gal). DD has been accepted to Rice.</p>
<p>UCLA, etc are fine schools, but CERTAINLY not on Rice’s level. This is important when you go for grad/profession school, as other have forewarned.</p>
<p>I don’t think that anyone here has said that UCLA and Cal were not on “Rice’s level”. Academically, you’ve got three great choices. The difference, as the OP has pointed out, is going to be mostly in the feel of the school. Rice is much smaller. You’re more likely to get to know your professors. You’ll have more opportunities to do research as an undergrad, if you’re interested in that. And, Rice’s residential college system is really unique and often reason enough to select Rice, all other things being equal. But, given the big difference in cost, I can understand why your Dad would want you to go to one of the UCs. They’re great schools.</p>
<p>My D is a freshman at Rice this year and it has been fantastic. She had to make the hard choice btw CAL and Rice. She chose Rice. At Rice, she has been able to work with a cancer research group right across campus near the medical centers as a freshman. She already has the opportunity to do her own research project. It has been worth the extra bucks. Also, there are no impacted classes like the UCs. She’s been able to get all classes for her double major biochem/molecular bio and enviro science. The residential colleges make it easy to get involved on campus. They have a community garden and all. Only gotcha is the August weather and missing So Cal just a bit.</p>
<p>If you haven’t visited Rice, I doubt you will find the answer on this thread. Based on your activity on other forums, it doesn’t appear that you have had much interest in Rice. I think you should talk with your parents and stay in California. Save $ for grad school!</p>
<p>@stillwatermom – Actually Rice has always been in my top 5 schools, and it has definitely always been my favorite semi-practical-to-get-in-to school, but especially so after having my interview with two amazing alumni. It has been the only acceptance so far where I have literally jumped out of my chair screaming and running around the house. I just haven’t been AS active on Rice forums because the Rice forums aren’t as active as those of other colleges. Thanks though…?</p>
<p>Also I don’t understand what this means. Do you mean I should go visit the school to “find the answer”? Or do you mean I have not demonstrated interest in Rice?</p>
<p>My dad is refusing to pay for me to visit (not just Rice but any school), so if I want to visit I will need to pay $400+ out of my own pocket (that’s the equivalent of 2 months of work for me). I am not taking this decision lightly.</p>
<p>stillwatermom–I hope college admissions offices don’t use the yardstick you do to measure “interest”! You’re making some huge (and unfair) assumptions about the poster’s interest in Rice. </p>
<p>petaandpita–I’m sorry to hear you may not be able to visit. As I said in an earlier post, you’ve got nothing but great choices. You’re very fortunate! If it turns out you can’t consider Rice for financial reasons, I’m sure you’ll do well at either of your other choices.</p>