<p>I'm in the lucky but rather difficult position of having to choose between Rice University and Princeton as a member of the class of 2017. I know that both schools are top-notch in academics and offer amazing opportunities to their students, so academics aren't really a deciding factor here. I don't care about the Princeton name or prestige, and I'm probably not going to get a PhD, so my main focus in my decision is student life and whether the personality of the school fits me. </p>
<p>Being from Texas, I know a lot about Rice and love its sense of community and the fact that students are smart and focused while still laid-back and very down-to-Earth. People at Rice seem to really know how to have fun and don't take themselves too seriously. Princeton, on the other hand, I'm not so sure about. Eating clubs confuse me, and everyone I've talked to who has gone to Princeton seemed just a little more tightly wound than makes me comfortable. Have I just been talking to the wrong people? Are there students at Princeton who are like what I know Rice students to be like? I want to have a fun time in college, not just study, and I want to be around students who want that, too.</p>
<p>I don't want to feel limited by staying in Texas and going to a school that's half Texans, but at the same time, I'm afraid that I may not fit in at Princeton, either.</p>
<p>How would you describe the "vibes" (student culture) of Rice and Princeton? What kind of student would be happier at one versus the other?</p>
<p>Come to Princeton - unparallelled academics and you’ll be surrounded by incredibly passionate and brilliant students (which will rub off on you without doubt). While there may be “tightly-bound” people at Princeton, you can definitely find just as many of the laid-back type of students you’re looking for. Most students that I’ve heard from love the eating clubs (most of the controversy comes from the opinions of non-Princeton students) and the social scene there. I think you will find your niche, fit perfectly well, and thrive at Princeton.</p>
<p>Rice and Princeton are both excellent schools, but they are not academically equivalent. Princeton definitely has the upper edge in academics and provides greater student opportunities - the Princeton alumni network is also stronger and more powerful than that of Rice.</p>
<p>Congratulations on your excellent choices. I understand your apprehension about Princeton. It is an amazing school, but I know several students from top Texas private schools who went there and had a lot of trouble adjusting. It’s a very different environment. These were all well-adjusted kids with many interests, too. I have one kid who graduated from Rice and one who graduated from an Ivy (not Princeton), and I feel that Rice offered the better overall college experience, although the one who went to the Ivy made the best choice for him. Let us know what you decide.</p>
<p>Your concerns are understandible. In fact, they’re fairly common for HS seniors. Living away from home for the first time can be daunting. Moving to a different state or a different environment, even more so.</p>
<p>My belief is that college is what you make it. Whether Princeton or Rice, you will find many people just like you who can be lifelong friends. Whether Princeton or Rice you will find certain people who you don’t care for as much and who you will not interact with. Whether Princeton or Rice you will find things you love, and things you don’t. It’s impossible to look into two futures and say which will be better (and after you make your choice, it’s impossible to look back and say which would have been better). that’s the nature of life.</p>
<p>Your situation (you haven’t mentioned cost as an issue, so we won’t get into that) – fortunately, Rice and Princeton are excellent schools, so in a sense, there is no “wrong” choice here. I do have a recommendation. Go to Princeton. There are only a very small number of schools in the US that have a significantly better reputation than Rice. Princeton is one of them. Now, if you’d said you hated Princeton and loved Rice – well, you shouldn’t go to a school you hate under any circumstances. But in your case you seem to like both schools, and it sounds like normal fear of what you don’t know. </p>
<p>College is a time to try different things, hence my recommendation – try new things and go to Princeton.</p>
<p>Rice and Princeton are NOT comparable schools. Rice is a decent school, but it is nowhere near the prestige, academic powerhouse, or general excellence of Princeton. Unless you can’t afford Princeton, i wouldn’t even consider Rice. </p>
<p>The only schools really comparable to Princeton are Yale and Harvard.</p>
<p>I completely forgot about this thread until just now but I thought I’d update you all on my choice: I have decided to go to Princeton. I’m still quite nervous but I think it’s more nerves about leaving home and going to college in general rather than Princeton itself. Thank you for all for your advice.</p>
<p>Blueworks, my grades and test scores were about average for incoming freshmen, I think. I went to a pretty mediocre urban public school but had other experiences that probably made me stand out on my application.</p>
<p>Everybody will be nervous coming into Princeton - I know I sure was. It’s a first for almost everybody - you will be out from under the shadow of the specter that is your parents for the first time. Some people overdo it, but the atmosphere really is work hard play hard. If you have any specific questions about adjusting, feel free to PM me. I’m a rising sophomore here.</p>