<p>So I'm now deciding between two (fantastic) schools: Tufts and Rice. I know both are great academically, so I'm basing my decision on the personality of the students. Can anyone characterize the difference between the two schools' personalities? I feel like Tufts students are bright, social, busy, out-of-the-box thinkers, and Rice students are intelligent, quirky, unique, and maybe not as social. Anyone know if these generalizations are accurate? If anyone knows the schools well, which do you think a shy person would fit into better?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>To be honest, I’m not sure at all how to answer your question. My advice would be to go to the open houses/overnights and see for yourself.</p>
<p>haha, I have the exact same decision to make. 
I’m going crazy trying to decide. I went to owl days at rice and I would say your description is pretty accurate, but I would not say they are not social. They are social, just in a different way. I am going to the Tufts open house next week so I guess I’ll no more about them soon. For me, I feel like at Tufts I would get a more “normal” social life, but at Rice I would have the sense of community and family that comes from the residential college system.</p>
<p>Rice students are open and friendly, as are Texans in general. Come to Rice!</p>
<p>The general vibe from Tufts is that students compete with THEMSELVES and NOT others. So people aren’t cut throat. People are very nice, helpful, and definitely quirky (but in a good way).</p>
<p>Tufts definitely has a community feel to it as students pride themselves with fellow “Jumbos”–whether that be via alumni or current students.</p>
<p>Indeed, students at Tufts are very happy and you are right about them thinking out of the box, social, etc.</p>
<p>In terms of a shy person, Tufts fits all types. You have some that are outgoing while others who can be shy. But everyone is able to find their own niche on campus and click in that regard. Tufts’ application process usually attracts kind and thoughtful students to the University.</p>
<p>But as another poster said, visit both campuses and see for yourself.</p>
<p>Best of luck!</p>
<p>I know a few kids (including a Rice to Emory transfer) who have visited Rice and had similar reactions–that the student population felt “nerdy”–to Rice. I never really know what is meant by that–that the kids were not drinking/partying enough? I don’t really know.</p>
<p>I do know, however, that a visit to Rice and Tufts might provide you with an instinctive and quick sense of the schools.</p>
<p>They are both very fine schools, academically, so it is wise of you to focus on “personality” of the student population.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>A joke that I had with some friends back in college was that “Rice is Tufts, except that it’s in Texas.” Socially, your experience will probably be very similar at each school. The main differences are that Tufts is MUCH more political (Rice is probably the most apolitical campus in the entire country), it’s colder, has four distinct seasons and gets snow - if you like snow and winter sports go to Tufts, if you want to walk around in flip-flops in January, go to Rice - and Tufts is in Boston, while Rice is in Houston: if you like driving and can deal with the heat, go to Rice, if you want to be in America’s biggest college town with easy access to New York, go to Tufts.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone! I did visit both campuses, but I still didn’t feel like I’d gotten a clear picture of the students. One other thing I was wondering about is the economic status of the students. Does anyone know anything about that? I feel like Tufts students are generally richer, but I’m not sure…</p>
<p>Oh cool, you’re choosing between Tufts and Rice too, Llama? Are you leaning one way or another? Ahhh time is running out!</p>