<p>DS is a junior and he is interested in finding out more about Rice. Couple of questions:</p>
<p>1) He plays the oboe and wants to study music but not major in it. Will he have an opportunity to play in ensembles, orchestra and take music classes? Would he be competing with oboe majors for those spots? He would probably major in Biology.</p>
<p>2)Are there other outside merit scholarships available specifcally for Rice that are not on their website?</p>
<p>3) Is it an advantage to be OOS? (NC)</p>
<p>4) What do you think is the most distinctive quality of Rice?</p>
<p>I have discovered that CC is the quickest and most effective way to get questions answered - thanks in advance!</p>
<p>2) When you apply to Rice, you become automatically eligible for all merit scholarships that are available specifically to Rice students. This includes scholarships for students from your area, in your area of study, etc.</p>
<p>3) I guess that you’re statistically more likely to get in than a candidate from Texas, but since out-of-state students comprise about half the student body, you could hardly call it an advantage.</p>
<p>4) College system. Bar none. Other universities have college systems, but none is as well-developed and fully integrated into university life as this one is.</p>
<p>From the music school website:
CAMPANILE ORCHESTRA
The Campanile Orchestra is made up of talented non-music majors and members of the greater Rice community who wish to continue their orchestral activities. Music majors are also welcome to participate if they desire. The Orchestra meets on Saturday mornings and is conducted by graduate students in the Orchestral Conducting program. They perform three concerts per academic year of major works from the standard orchestral repertoire. </p>
<p>Read the thread “101 reasons for attending Rice” (sticky thread at the top of this forum), and search for some old rice threads for some more good information. I have two Rice kids; one graduated in '08, one will graduate in '11. They both have had wonderful educations and received some wonderful opportunities from Rice. Both had/have close mentoring and friendships with profs. I’m so glad my kids were accepted and chose to attend! :)</p>
<p>Thanks for the info; I looked up the music classes and read the “101 reasons”. Both gave me a better feel. The college system is very appealing to me as a parent. We will be visiting Duke soon (I’ve read all of the comparisons on CC) and will be in Dallas on business end of October next year so will try to make arrangements for DS and one of us to “drop by” Houston. Any other opinions? I’d love to hear them…</p>