<p>I have around a 94 uw and a 96 or so weighted, take the hardest courses offered in my high school (exception being language) (one of the most competitive in the state) and am probably in the top 10% in my class with loads of community service and solid EC's. I was just wondering if I have a chance at getting into Rice, but more importantly, whether or not it would be a struggle to fit in there (any Northerners at all and are students friendly towards them). I really don't have anyone to ask as no one in the history of my high school has ever attended Rice, so any help would be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>SWEET! We need more NY-er's at Rice, in my opinion.
I'm off to bed now, but I'll write back to you tomorrow. In brief, I've been nothing but welcomed here, and although NYC is way different that Houston, Houston does have a whole lot to offer. There are actually a fair number of students here from the Northeast and NY, and the numbers are increasing.
PM me and tell me where you are from if you want...
I am so glad I came to Rice, and so are the vast majority of people who come here. Don't let people at home tell you Texas is silly or anything. Rice is an awesome place to be for 4 years. No one had come to Rice from my high school since a guy who graduated from Rice in 1996 (or 12 years before I will graduate!)</p>
<p>My son, a Long Islander is a freshman at Rice and absolutely loves it. He chose it over so many other northeast ivy league schools. If you haven't visited, please do and you will feel the difference.
Rice is unique because they make sure all the freshman are very well taken care of and because of the residential college system and superb orientation you are instantly part of a network of friends from day one. Everyone is happy there. It's a nice small school, with excellent research and great classes.
Contrary to the Texas reputation, there are liberals there, especially because it is a top notch college. What they also have is a range of people only a magnet school that attracts people from around the world and across the US can offer. You will find so many smart people, of every race, religion and nationality...certainly some of whom will share your views on life..no matter what your views are!
What a fabulous school and worth applying from elsewhere, because it's easier to get in from almost anywhere, except from Texas, where the competition is very hot. Speaking of hot..the weather most of the year is very nice, contrary to reputation just summer and early fall can be very hot.
If Rice were located anywhere else in the country instead of Texas, the competitive rating for acceptances would equal or surpass the Ivies. It's a hidden jewel. It also does not have the snobbiness nor competitiveness of other top schools and no one feels the need to dress to impress.</p>
<p>D's boyfriend is from Queens- he is a junior at Rice and chose it over some of the top NE schools. He loves it. Lots of liberals at Rice.</p>
<p>We're from New England and son is a freshman at Rice. I echo all of Laura's post from my sons perspective. He loved Rice from the first time he saw it on the video from their website when he was a junior in HS and couldn't be happier with his choice from all perspectives, academic, social and cultural. He never speaks about kids being from different areas and everyone seems to get along so well and are so tolerant of each other. He loves being in the south and at Rice.</p>
<p>I'm originally from NY (Westchester County). I've been living in London, England since I was 7 which made Texas seem even more different than what I was used to. This has proved not to be a probelm though. I am loving my first semester at Rice. The myths of the cowboy hats and gung-ho Bush-fanatics of Texas certainly does not apply at Rice. During Orientation Week it became clear that the people at Rice are great.</p>