PLAN II or RICE???????

Colleges and Universities A-Z The University of Texas at Austin
1

<p>I am posting this on both Rice and UT-Austin's boards, and know responses from each threads might be biased towards whatever school's thread I'm writing on, in this case, Austin's. But, I really would appreciate some honest advice and devil's advocate discussion from both sides, ESPECIALLY, since I'm not even from Texas! Go figure, a Midwest girl narrowing it down to two great Texas choices. Spent time at both schools, so I know a little bit about their locations, populations, etc.....</p>

<p>Any opinions?</p>

<p>P.s Please leave out cost as a weighting factor, since the difference I would pay isn't that great.</p>

2

<p>Personally, I think Austin is a much better city. I live in Houston and I really dislike it... there isn't much to do except go visit the museum or go to Rice Village. That's just my opinion. You may find people that love Houston! Austin is just much more liberal, more laid back... it's a very good college town, if you ask me.
As for their school programs, I can't shed much light on the subject because I am very unfamiliar with both. Sorry!
Good luck in your decision making!</p>

3

<p>Rice is regarded as an overall more prestigious school. Plan II is, at least in my opinion, at least equal academically to Rice if not superior. For people who know what Plan II is, they will be impressed either way. Outside Texas Rice may be considered more impressive, in Texas it will get you about the same. Rice is considered to be the best school in the state, but UT is not far behind.</p>

<p>Texas has by far a more well connected alumni network and status in the business world, both in Texas and outside. Rice does not have enough alumni, living or dead, to fill their football stadium. Texas has 5-10k grads each year.</p>

<p>Rice is a more intimate and quirky atmosphere, quite unique in my opinion. They have their residential college system and people grow very attached to those. The student body is much more intimate and closer than UT's. UT has 50,000 kids. You will not know everybody. But they have the resources to offer pretty much anything they want. There are so many studetn organizations that if you can't find one that's appealing to you you aren't looking hard enough. People have fun at both schools but UT's may be a little more like the traditional college experience.</p>

<p>Rice is in a neat part of Houston, but Houston as a whole is a dirty, muggy, and gross town (no offense to H-towners, I was born there and detest it). There are some nice parts and some really sketchy parts. Austin is a very cool town, there is lots to do, especially for college-students. It's a more welcoming city to students and much smaller than the Houston megaplex. I'd consider Austin to have a better music scene, better museums, etc. if you are into things like that. For a town of its size Austin offers quite a lot. Houston probably offers the same things as Austin, but definitely not superior with a few exceptions.</p>

<p>Plan II and the Honors dorms have a very strong community feeling not unlike what I believe the Rice colleges are like. However, at UT it's just part of the university as a whole, at Rice it's all there is.</p>

<p>UT has Longhorn sports. UT is good at pretty much every sport. Rice has Owl baseball. If you like baseball, you will be happy at either school. If you like any other sports expect Rice to disappoint you on a regular basis.</p>

<p>Honestly either would be a great college experience. I personally chose UT because I like Austin a lot better than Houston, I like UT's social atmosphere better, and because my EFC makes Rice far too expensive. UT has such great monetary and faculty resources that anything in the academic realm is possible--if a course is taught at any college, it's likely also taught at UT, plus UT has several interesting courses of its own (I challenge you to find another university which offers Yoruba courses). Plan II is an amazing addition to the standard UT curriculum as well, and one I'm looking forward to a lot. I think I would have been successful at and enjoyed Rice, but I am proud to be a Longhorn!</p>

4

<p>You should seriously take into consideration the specific academic programs you are interested, because while Rice, overall, may be considered a more prestigious school that may or may not be true the particular programs you are interested in. Take a look at both of the schools course catalogs, if you have not already done so, to get a feel for the kind of courses that are offered and interest you. Don't forget, Rice is a much smaller school, so if you are interested in a less studied field UT Austin may have better resources which suit your academic needs. Also consider this if you are undeclared, or are unsure about what major you may pursue. Austin will have loads more academic choices for you to explore, and find that niche which really sparks your interest.</p>

5

<p>You will more than likely get more credit for your AP courses at UT than you will at Rice. UT will also give you credit for some of your SAT subject tests depending upon the scores. </p>

<p>More credit equals less time to complete your degree.</p>

<p>Another difference is that at Rice many students feel pressured into double majoring. I think it's better to finish one degree and move on to grad school.</p>

<p>Good luck! You'll be successful in life either way!</p>

6

<p>Well I live in Houston, about 5 minutes away from Rice. It is a very nice area and I've enjoyed living around here. Houston is not bad, it's a big city with plenty to do. The village is pretty nice and very close to Rice. The campus at Rice is beautiful and it is an amazing school. That being said, Plan II at UT is incredible as well. UT is much bigger and Austin is the place to be. I would pick Austin over Houston, but I'm not positive I would pick UT over Rice. If it were me I would go to UT, just because I love Austin-its an amazing city. I also wouldn't want to go to school 5 minutes from my house. You've got a really tough decision. To sum it up, I think Rice may be known as the better school, but Austin as the better city. Good Luck, hope this helps a little.</p>

7

<p>Rice Village & adjacent areas are nicer if they have better roads, someone needs to fix up Kirby fast, I'm sick of those holes!</p>

8

<p>Do Plan II, because Rice is a bit overrated, for the same reason as what theloneranger stated.</p>

9

<p>If cost isn't a factor, go for prestige. Yes, Austin is more fun than Houston, but Rice's location is pretty good. And you're not going "to Plan II." You're going to UT, a public school, huge, full of kids a level below the kids at Rice (sorry, UTP2 grad here, but it's true). You will be much more intellectually stimulated and challenged at Rice, I'm sure. Your peers in ALL classes will be on your level, as opposed to UT, where only your Plan II classes (which will make up no more than HALF of your total classes over your four years) will be that way. </p>

<p>If I'd had the option of Rice (I didn't, I was waitlisted), and money was NOT a factor, I definitely would have gone with Rice and not looked back. Do not underestimate the impact that Plan II being AT UT has on the quality of education you receive. UT is a fine school, but it is not a top 20 private university. </p>

<p>To anyone who was worried about money, I would say the COST of Rice (this would be for people who would pay in-state tuition at UT) is not worth the difference in quality. But again, since you're not, go with Rice. Congratulations on your great options, and enjoy Houston. :)</p>

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Another difference is that at Rice many students feel pressured into double majoring.

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</p>

<p>Make no mistake, this pressure is VERY strong in Plan II, too. After all, what the heck is a degree in "Plan II Honors"? It's embarrassing to have to constantly explain it in interviews, and I'm glad I have my second major to list alongside it so employers actually have some idea of what it is I know. </p>

<p>And I don't know where people get the "people know what Plan II is in Texas" idea. They do not. I have interviewed with 5-6 employers in Texas, and only places that EMPLOYED Plan II grads knew what Plan II is. That is, Plan II grads know what Plan II is. And yeah, that's a great connection, where you find it. But we're matriculating 180 students a year. That's not exactly a huge alumni base to rely upon to say "People know Plan II in Texas." As a recent grad, I'm telling you, no one has a clue what Plan II is. They're not bothered or offended by it, most people at least have heard of liberal arts honors programs in general, but they're not like, "Oh, yeah, Plan II! Great!"</p>

10

<p>UTSenior, my sincere thanks for such an insightful and honest post.</p>