<p>I've heard that rice is sort of like a liberal arts school, but I'm not sure what people's definition of a liberal arts school is. I was hoping that Rice has really small class sizes and seminar-like classes. I can't stand lectures or big class sizes. I'm enrolling the humanities school, probably majoring in philosophy or cognitive sciences. Because i have to admit, I'm kind of regretting getting accepted ED because I realize that i really want to go to a liberal arts school like Pomona.</p>
<p>Ok, so Rice is kind of a combo between liberal arts and research. </p>
<p>Here are the stats:
Student:Faculty = 5:1
80% of classes under 30 students</p>
<p>In my experience, I've had classes ranging from about 12 to 200, with the rest somewhere in between.</p>
<p>On average, the philosophy classes will be smaller than the cog sci classes because cog sci requires you to take a lot of intro classes in different departments, and those can be bigger (like 50+). Cog Sci may also require more lectures - although a lot of classes here are lecture based across departments, unfortunately. However, I doubt that is really that different from Pomona.</p>
<p>What you should realize is that even in bigger classes profs WILL know who you are, what your last paper was about, etc. Profs here really want to get to know you and help you succeed. I've had 4 profs here take pictures of everyone so that they can learn our names outside of class. I've had a prof who made each of us (70-ish) come and have individual meetings with her to find out who we were and why we were taking her class and where we were from. </p>
<p>Every prof has office hours, which is your chance to meet them one-on-one. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS.</p>
<p>Larger classes, especially in sciences break up into optional discussion sections led by TAs - so if you need help with a concept or homework problem it is really easy to get that help.</p>
<p>One of the nice things about going to a research university, though, is that you can get involved in research (not just in the sciences - all departments do reasearch), and the fact that new knowledge is being created at Rice everyday is kind of an exciting thing.</p>
<p>It's completely normal to feel a sense of buyer's remorse after making such a large decision, but rest assured, you will have many small classes here, and more importantly, you will establish meaningful relationships with multiple professors.</p>
<p>You might also find this link useful - it lists how many students were in each class for several past semesters.</p>
<p>Thanks jenskate!! i just checked the link, and their fine arts classes are realllly small. and so are most of the humanities classes. Let's say you're a freshman, do you have to take introductory classes or can you jump to a higher level?</p>
<p>It kind of depends. </p>
<p>Some departments/profs will let you skip the intro class to take an upper level class, and some won't. It's hard to skip into classes in things like math or science where the material really builds, and much easier in humanities or social sciences. Generally though, Rice profs really encourage you to learn about things that you are genuinely interested in, and if that is an upper level class that you are determined to take, they will probably let you - especially if you have some background in the subject. </p>
<p>I highly recommend taking at least one upper level class as a freshman - first of all, it's a good way to meet upperclassmen, especially those who are majoring in the subject. But also because it's a nice challenge and I, personally, find upper level classes more interesting and exciting.</p>
<p>actually i heard that rice sucked liberal arts-wise... so i'm kinda hesitant on attending (if i get in, of course) because my intended major is english and i want to pursue a career in journalism.</p>
<p>rice is known for its engineering program and its architecture program =] it also has a great program for pre-med students =]</p>
<p>I heard Rice was really good concerning liberal arts..but didn't offer a good business program (that's UT-Austin). </p>
<p>@ Heidi!__
My intended major is english too! And I'm involved in my high school newspaper and UIL Journalism. Of course, I'm just a sophomore so I could change my mind by the time I'm in college..but I really want to go to Rice. So yeah. You're cool.</p>
<p>I actually heard that Rice has a really strong english program. In fact I am considering switching from history into english.</p>
<p>From what I've read and seen, Rice's English program is top-notch. In fact, my interviewer was an English major, and she had nothing but good things to say about Rice. I think people misconstrue a 'good English program' with 'a good GRADUATE program'. These are different because what may be offered and taught at a graduate level may not be the same at the undergraduate level. I would suggest poking around <a href="http://www.rice.edu%5B/url%5D">www.rice.edu</a> and finding out more since I'm not the best source. It can only help!</p>
<p>hmm.. maybe rice is not so bad liberal arts-wise.. i guess i was just thinking of it reputation-wise.. and i was also comparing it to schools like northwestern (which is renowned for its strong liberal arts program, particularly journalism)~</p>
<p>all in all.. rice's reputation truly lies in its engineering/architecture programs.. even my interviewer said so. actually come to think of it, my interviewer told me himself that rice was weaker in the english department.</p>
<p>Plan II honors program at U.T. Austin is a good option for liberal arts in Texas. You get small classes (180 admitted freshmen), near ivy education, and all the extra options of a large university with a very small in-state tuition. I'm still waiting on a letter from Rice for ID but, I don't think I would really consider going if I got accepted after getting accepted to Plan II...oh I just realized it's too late to apply anyway...nevermind</p>
<p>I sat in on a plan II class and I was not impressed. It seemed a lot like high school, only fewer people were awake (this class was at 1:00 pm). Also, you have to take a lot of math and science in Plan II. I do think it is a fabulous option for some, but not me. Although I have to admit, I got deferred from Plan II and accepted at Rice ED so the choice was made for me.</p>