<p>So... I've narrowed my college choices down to these two. I have visited both, and looooooooooooooooooooved both.</p>
<p>I'm not sure what I want to do yet. Right now, I'm looking at a combination of Economics and Biology, whether double major, major/minor, who knows... Nor are either of these in cement; it's entirely possible that I'll find something else I love. I've been thinking about going to med school afterwards, but of course, that may also change.</p>
<p>The main difference, for me, between these two are their locations. Rice is in sunny and warm (and frequently humid) Houston, literally down the street from the largest medical center in the world as well as a hub for a lot of Fortune 500 companies. Middlebury has none of this, but Vermont is BEAUTIFUL, and I love the outdoorsy aspect of Midd (I hate being stuck indoors).</p>
<p>Money is not an issue.</p>
<p>Some things I'm curious about in terms of how these two schools compare:
Advising (for grad/professional school/career placement afterwards)
Strength of Alumni Network
Ease of finding job/internship opportunities (for summers, primarily)
Study Abroad
Ease of double majoring</p>
<p>Any thoughts?</p>
<p>Perhaps it’s time for another visit? Go to the open houses and see if you feel the same way about the two schools.</p>
<p>Midd and Rice were my DS’s top two school as well. He ended up applying to Midd ED and was accepted. He sat in on several classes at Rice. The Organic Chem class had 200 people in it. Then he sat in on an intro chem class at Midd and the professor talked with him and 2 other prospective students after class and showed them some of the equpment they would be working with. He really loved the individual attention given to the students at Midd. He also loved Bi Hall. Both are fantastic choices.</p>
<p>I can’t speak to many other things, but I would guess that it would be easier to study abroad at Midd who has so many of their own programs. </p>
<p>Good luck with your decision and let us know what you decide.</p>
<p>I wish I got a better aid package from Midd, then I’d be in a similar dilemma. =(</p>
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<p>If you got a better aid package somewhere else, you can try to appeal.</p>
<p>^^sounds like ze’s mostly looking at merit aid from other colleges. Didn’t know you could do that through QB.</p>
<p>Rice is more a research university (however mainly for grads)… I have been in the dilemma between top Lacs (like Midd) and top research unis (like Rive)… and I came up to the conclusion that for UNDERGRADUATE studies a LAC has to offer you more… and especially in sciences…
++++ Middlebury prepares very well its students for top grad schools…
The only disadvantage (if you can say so) is that it is a very very rigorous academically school… it is ranked (i think) 4th, after MIT and Reed, for “Students study the most”… so be prepared to work hard… and get rewarded…
My advice go to MIdd… maintain a high gpa… get a college experience… and then go to a top grad school…
Good Luck</p>
<p>Boys at Midd-family friend at Rice. Agree with ^^^^ that pretty much all the resources that Midd has go to undergrad education, and at Rice, that is second.</p>