<p>Rankings And Lists for Rice University</p>
<pre><code>* Top 10 Best Value Private Colleges:
# 1
* Happiest Students :
# 15
* Lots of Race/Class Interaction:
# 2
* Best Quality of Life:
# 2
</code></pre>
<p>More proof that we're awesome.</p>
<p>Who beat us for Quality of Life?</p>
<p>Washington U</p>
<p>please, gimme a break...i chose rice over wash u BECAUSE i thought the quality of life was better.</p>
<p>haha westsidewolf1989, don't worry. I'm pretty sure the rankings are arbitrary to a certain degree. </p>
<p>I'm not trying to flame Wash U or anything, but I would definitely disagree with Wash U holding the top slot for "quality of life". At least when I visited, the students there appeared pretty apathetic, and many told me that their experiences at Wash U were "just average". I actually have a friend there who'll be a sophomore this fall, and he tells me how things can get boring sometimes. His roommate and freshmen friends I hung out with one night during my stay even told me NOT to choose Wash U. </p>
<p>Of course, my observations are based on subjective opinions, but I do know that Wash U's residential college system is nowhere as integrated into the social scene of the university as that of Rice. The residential colleges at Wash U are more or less just places to stay and do not have the same unique characteristics as the model House system the residential colleges are supposed to be based on. There isn't the kind of camraderie or spirit you see on the Rice campus at Wash U. </p>
<p>Also, Wash U is in St. Louis. I haven't explored St. Louis to its entirety, but I would bet Houston is a much better environment. I won't talk about the climate, since both schools don't exactly have the best weather. All in all though, I would definitely place Rice in front of Wash U. Rice may not have grabbed #1 again this year, but please, Princeton Review, put a more credible university at the top of the list!</p>
<p>One should not overlook that although the residential colleges at Wash U are "more or less just places to stay" at least you will have a place to stay. At Rice you can expect to get booted off campus sometime after your freshman year. I don't see what is so amazing about that.</p>
<p>Speaking as someone who's preparing to spend a year off-campus, I don't think it's all that bad. Most people I know who have lived off campus had good experiences, and because our colleges are more than just a place to live, people are able to keep connected to what's happening on campus.</p>
<p>I didn't get booted and never will get booted off-campus.</p>
<p>How do you persuade a young person that Rice is likely a place with every bit as much opportunity, and a much better "deal" - so to speak, than HYP? I am dealing with a young person with near perfect SAT I scores (2380), 9/10 AP classes - all 5's to date - including B/C calc, etc.,statewide academic awards - proficient in math and science but with award winning writing proficiency too - on a state championship athletic team and key contributor, 4.2 GPA (top 5 or so in the school- all A's so far) at clearly (beyond question) one the of the best, if not the best, public hs in the country...(a magnet school that is really well known). My experiences with Rice have been positive - and think it a hidden gem. This is not to say that this student could automatically get in anywhere - competition is that tough, but I think Rice is worth a look. Anyone willing to help me in making the case? </p>
<p>I have a friend - Rice grad - who is one of the best astrophysicists in the country - and speaks incredibly well of the place - my challenge is to get a younger person's perspective as well...</p>
<p>You might find a visit works well. My son applied to some of the Ivy's, then visited Rice (we're from NY) and immediatley knew this waa a far better place for him. He going to be starting his last year and he's loved it. He's found top notch internships and looks like he will be getting an offer for after graduation from this summer's internship. He's also made many great friends. I think if your child is meant to go to Rice they will have that instant understanding upon visiting that this is a very special place.</p>
<p>lauras50, the last line of your post is spot on.</p>
<p>Totally agree. DD stepped on campus, looked around, and said this is it.</p>
<p>Hah...the first time I visited campus, oddly enough, I hated it. I thought the school seemed too overtly prestigious and preppy, and the friend I went with had the same impression. We both ended up applying anyway, took another look during Owl Days (admittedly after having our heads jerked with cash), fell in love and are both attending...go figure. Anyway, we both had stats similar (mine are eerily identical) to those outlined in mam1959's post. I think we changed our minds about the school when we had a chance to probe deeper into what Rice has to offer - the engineering presentation during Owl Days, for example, was what hooked me, and talking to kids on campus about the school's RIDICULOUSLY amazing social atmosphere sealed the deal. I'm not about to claim that Rice holds <em>academic</em> superiority over HYPetc, but I will hold that it might as well be considered on par, and that the personal attention received at Rice MORE than makes up for any discrepancy.</p>
<p>So in my personal experience attracting the students to Rice who have the option of attending somewhere with more "traditional" prestige requires a closer look than a simple visit and tour on campus, but taking the time to dig deeper is worthwhile. If you need any more help in making the case for Rice, I'm only an incoming freshman but I'd be more than willing to answer questions ;)</p>
<p>(And on the original topic, Rice > WashU any day, suckit Princeton Review)</p>
<p>
[quote]
Hah...the first time I visited campus, oddly enough, I hated it. I thought the school seemed too overtly prestigious and preppy
[/quote]
Dd had the same reaction (as did I). And it seemed too clean and neat! Where was the energy of political fliers and postings for campus activities and swarms of undergrads all milling about. (So, it was a summer morning on Saturday. Duh. Obviously not anyone around....) Coupled with some bad experiences with the admissions department in trying to schedule an interview (repeatedly, with no success) and a poor information session, she was ready to write Rice off. I cajoled and suggested she apply anyway; long story short, was accepted, attended "Owl Weekend" and decided she had found some truly amazing people and was psyched and ready to go. Turned down many other fine offers for other colleges. She graduated from Rice in May after having had a wonderful experience (which continues post-grad, since she was awarded a Rice travel scholarship for the coming school year!). Her brother is equally thrilled about Rice and is now a rising Sophomore.</p>