<p>Hi everyone. I'm trying to decide between Northwestern and Rice. I'm from Houston, so I'm familiar with the Rice campus. I'm not familiar with Northwestern's, however, and so I will be visiting it either this weekend or next weekend. </p>
<p>I've lived in Texas my whole life, and my home is about thirty minutes away from Houston. For 11th and 12th grades, I have been attending a boarding school in New Hampshire, so I have a feeling what the East is like and also what I think of cold weather (the weather in Evanston is just as cold as the weather in New Hampshire, but I don't want to not attend an institution just because of its climate. Rather, Rice gains a plus for me because of its warm, and in my opinion, great, weather).</p>
<p>I was accepted to the College of Arts and Sciences at Northwestern. I plan to pursue math and economics, although this could very easily change. At Rice, I will have more freedom with my major because I was not admitted to a particular school like I was at Northwestern. In addition, I like Rice's use of the residential college system in which every dorm on campus is residential. Northwestern has residential colleges, but they are more centered around a theme, which I'm not sure I would like. At Rice, kids are placed into dorms randomly, so you get a nice, eclectic batch of students.</p>
<p>Going to boarding school all the way up in New Hampshire has made me grow up a lot, and has made me like living on my own far away from my parents. Attending Northwestern would be a continuation of this adventure, as I could continue living far away from Texas and also get a chance to explore the vibrant city of Chicago (which I have never visited but will explore this weekend when I fly in to Northwestern to visit). Then again, it might be nice to be close to home for a change.</p>
<p>If anyone else is also choosing between Northwestern and Rice, or has chosen in the past, it'd be great to hear from you. Thanks!</p>
<p>nightflarer! i'm choosing between the same 2 schools too! :)
but my situation's kinda different. i'm an int'l intending to study econs+engineering. Rice appeals to me as well because of the "random" residential system.. (the same way NU doesn't due to its system of just dorms/thematic res colleges). Strange, but this factor feels v important to me. </p>
<p>And.. can anyone enlighten me reg. the difference in the kind of students at each school? In terms of... how friendly they are, how much they're into partying, and the extent to which they're into both competitive and rec sports? </p>
<p>Also, NU's economics program seems to be stronger than Rice. Back in my home country, NU also has greater name recognition... Practically noone has heard of Rice. Guess this isn't a big issue if i intend to work in the States, but i'll most likely be heading home after graduation. </p>
<p>Nightflarer, it will be great if you could tell me more abt your impressions of these 2 schools after your visit to NU! :)</p>
<p>omG me too you guys! i'm debating between Northwestern and Rice as well, but for pre-med. I've been to Norhtwestern for their summer programs and I positively LOVE the campus. However, the thing that attracts me to Rice is its residential college, which sounds AWESOME. </p>
<p>I'm from Wisconsin btw, so Chicago is relatively close to me and Houston is really far away from me. It's kind of the opposite for me haha. ^_^</p>
<p>Just another thought. One thing to consider about this decision is the price. Rice is significantly cheaper than Northwestern.</p>
<p>I got into both universities as well, and I'm killing myself by trying to decide where to go. I've visited the NW campus and it was really nice (during the spring). It was a bit windy, but thats how Chicago is. I've only seen pictures of the Rice campus, though it looks real nice from what I've seen. I prefer nice weather (I used to live in SoCal). It's like choosing between the Devil (Rice) and the deep sea (NW) in a good sense though. I'm planning on doing engineering, so I'm guessing NW is probably better in that respect. Cost is not an issue. I sure hope it doesn't come down to a coin flip to decide my future.</p>
<p>When considering the weather at Rice, consider the humidity factor. I think it's a great school (except no swim team for guys), but I would never be able to stand the heat/humidity combination. Others could say the same in a different direction (cold, wind) about Evanston though.</p>
<p>Just something to keep in mind...the biggest residential college on campus, Willard, does not have a theme. Yes there are themed res colleges, but places like Shepard and Willard do not. Those offer you the res college environment that you both seem to be craving.</p>
<p>I think the biggest difference between the 2 schools is the fact that the social life at Northwestern is heavily influenced by fraternities/sororities and the social life at Rice revolves around its residential colleges. And Big Duke -- the quality of the engineering program at Rice is also very well respected.</p>
<p>I chose Rice over Northwestern a year ago, and the biggest factor apart from cost (which was, of course, quite important) was the residential college system. When I visited Northwestern, I got the impression that the residential colleges could be a fun alternative place to live for some students, but the social life revolved around the fraterneties/sororities. I personally have never liked the idea of "exclusive" organizations, so I love the fact that students at Rice are randomly placed into a college, of which they are members from that point onward. The college at Rice functions not just as a place to eat and sleep where some of your friends also live, but as the center of your experience. Students join college sports teams, participate in college government, and organize college parties. This may not be the ideal arrangement for all people, but for me it provides an amazing sense of community into which you feel welcomed from the very moment you first arrive on Rice's campus.</p>
<p>Anyhow, those are my (admittedly biased) thoughts. Good luck with the decisions; you really can't go wrong either way!</p>