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<p>Well, I like to think that I'm cheerful, pretty, and smart, but I'm a guy.</p>
<p>I'm also not a pre-med.</p>
<p>Rice is great because the students can get so much attention. That relationship makes the learning environment so much better (and nerdier). I think most college students, if given the opportunity of attention like Rice students, will respond and really get into learning, especially when others are doing so. The motivation of learning for some engineers is completely destroyed by their workload and job pressure, but I think anyone else would be in a great spot. </p>
<p>I feel like Rice is fairly liberal on average, but I might be astounded by what's thought of as a "liberal campus" like schools in NY or CA. Rice is definitely in flux right now and it's a pretty cool feeling. We are changing the makeup and size of our student body, adding two colleges, building a giant pavilion outside the library, and re-designing the Rec Center. I think this has a small political component, such as the stance on diversity and concerns about the environment. </p>
<p>In my opinion, Texas in general plays almost no role in Rice life. Rice is governed almost all by Rice campus/atmosphere, which is affected in part by the Medical Center, and in smaller part by Houston.</p>
<p>rainmama</p>
<p>I just gotta comment on your choice of Rice (why?) . </p>
<p>Now, don't get me wrong, Rice is a great school....one of the best. But I can think of many others that may offer better things for your son. These would based on environment, academic departments......plus many others.</p>
<p>For instance, if you son likes visual communication (of any sort), then how about a school like San Francisco State, a college that has a very good academic department in that area.</p>
<p>If he likes politics, forget Rice and think more of say....Lewis and Clark College or Reed college.....plus many more across the US.</p>
<p>Sure college life is much more than academics, and Rice does have one of the best "College Life" rankings, but there are other colleges as well.</p>
<p>Why forget Rice if he likes politics? The Baker Institute is a fantastic on-campus resource, especially if he's interested in Middle Eastern policy.</p>
<p>I won't deny that there are other schools out there, but I'm sure rainmama's son is looking at other schools.</p>
<p>mixer - I do appreciate the input, as he is far from having chosen Rice at this point. He's interested mostly in LACs + Dartmouth in the northeast, and has some interest in the southwest - Pomona, mainly, plus Arizona State + USC because of the great merit aid they give to National Merit Finalists. He's intrigued by Chicago, but is convinced by other kids that Chicago offers a life of all work, no play. (Honestly, his high school is so hard that I don't think Chicago would be a big change for him, academically.) If he stays in the Northwest, it will be at our state flagship U, which is perfect for his academic interests, but is unfortunately very close to home. </p>
<p>It's a given that he should go where he can be surrounded by smart and interesting peers. I'm pushing Rice in an effort to broaden his search, after learning about the residential college system, the campus atmosphere, and the relative affordability. He's very interested in computer science and cognitive science, and I get the impression Rice has strong offerings in those areas. Film is something he'll find a way to pursue, wherever he is. I'm happy to hear more comments - thanks to everyone who's weighed in so far!</p>
<p>Why would being close to home a problem?</p>
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Well, some people want a change of scenery. I know it was an aspect of my college search.</p>
<p>Rice sounds like a perfect fit for your son, who sounds very much like my son (a Rice senior). My son has LOVED his 4 years. I can't believe its almost over! My s is very liberal and is a hiker and skiier too (well, until he shattered his femur last year-- we'll see what this year brings). I expected my s to end up inthe NE or in CA, but Rice was the PERFECT fit! YOu will love it (and alumother, so glad youtr did too. I am guessing the ugly Res College was Lovett-- just my guess).</p>
<p>Sarah B. was your tour guide. I just figured that out.</p>
<p>Hi from GA NY Skins! You might want to put only the first name last initial of the tourguide (post #29)-- privacy issues and all that. She might appreciate that.</p>
<p>pedrossi - I said that somewhat tongue in cheek, but most kids I know want to get away from home for college. And even though he would move out and live in a dorm at our local U, it's only about 2 miles away, so that would not be much of an adventure.</p>
<p>jym626 - Glad to hear it! On the other thread from the mom and daughter visiting Rice, it sounded like a lot of fun, even without the great academics in the mix.</p>
<p>Hm, idk I'm a senior this year and I know that if my parents lived next to my dream school I would love going there. Living at home would save money, but even if I did choose to live on campus, I could always come home on the weekends and enjoy some good food every now and then (not to mention the support parents always give). This is not to say I'd be dependent on my parents, but it sure would make life a little easier IMO</p>
<p>I don't think my son would be the grown up he is today if he lived at home while going to college. I have that discussion with all my firiends involved in the college search. We live in NY and my son is a junior at Rice. He now lives in an apartment and seems to be able to handle everything, from bills to booking travel tickets to medical issues, to shopping and cooking. He spent the summer working in Japan and headed there, not knowing anyone, but a little bit about the company that hired him He made friends, but didn't hesitate going alone to Tokyo when no one else was available one weekend. I am amazed at his growth and confidence.
I know that, as an only child, I was changed by going away to school and felt liberated by making my own choices when I went away to college..and then to London for my junior year abroad. No matter how well you get along with your parents (actually especially if you get along VERY well with your parents) it's a great fairly safe way to grown up and make a healthy break from them.
I think it's not good to hold children too close to you. Nice for you, but not for them.</p>
<p>When I was at Rice here are some of the outdoor things I did on my breaks: camped and hiked at Big Bend Natl Park with my boyfriend, canoed down the Guadalupe River with a large group, stayed in a beach house on South Padre Island with a large group and spent an afternoon and evening in Mexico as a side trip, visited a friend's grandparent's pecan farm (way cool, actually), went skiing in Colorado with a group, took a trip to hit the clubs in Dallas (back when drinking age was 18). I never made it to Mardi Gras, but others did. So skiing can definitely be in the picture. Lots of Texans also go to Taos. On the weekends I was too busy with on campus activities to do more than go to a few concerts and movies.</p>
<p>Rice is a great school, and almost anyone will fit right in. I'm from south texas almost ten miles away from mexico. My family visits houston all the time, and it is such a great city, he will love it. If you live in a suburban area then your son needs to be exposed more to a city. When I visit places outside of texas people get the idea that we are really obnoxious, and crazy lol..that's not the case. Your son will get the chance to meet some of the friendliest people. It's not like all of the students at Rice will be from texas. Houston is a very diverse city.</p>
<p>tru dat... texans are a lot friendlier than northeners, so expect people to be outgoing, however rice is a great mix of texans and those who are not as fortunate to call texas home haha... my friend goes there and loves the mix of familiarity and the unfamiliarity of out of staters and internationals.</p>
<p>I agree that you anyone will fit in fine. Like I have lived in India for over 10 years before college and had no troubles fitting in.</p>
<p>I'm also from south Texas (10 min from Mexico) and visit Houston whenever I can. Houston is a great city, some people say it's polluted but I really didn't think so. It's certainly not nearly as bad as the LA area, and I didn't even notice Houston air quality until I read an article on it recently (not noticing the air = good).
Houston/Rice is great. No matter who you are, you'll fit in :)</p>