Question about Rice Thresher and Rice's CogSci major?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Rice University
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<p>Hi Rice hopefuls, students, and alums! </p>

<p>I'm currently a senior in HS considering ED to Rice and I had two sort of unrelated questions about the school. I don't know if these questions are "dumb" but I attempted some searching and couldn't find much, so I'm turning to you guys. </p>

<ol>
<li><p>I'm assuming the Rice Thresher has some sort of application process. I want to go deeper into journalism in college (I'm part of my HS's yearbook staff) and I think being a writer for the Thresher would be great for me. How hard is it to get in? If I don't make it, what other journalism opportunities are available at Rice? </p></li>
<li><p>How is Rice's cognitive science major? The rigor/workload? How popular is it? Are there any sort of stigmas or stereotypes that come with being a cogsci major? (for example, I've often heard the communications major at some schools - not necessarily Rice - is the "easy major" ... although I may be wrong!) </p></li>
<li><p>[edit] One more question about the general academics at Rice - is it hard to get a good GPA/A's? I've read about how at some schools it's difficult to have a good GPA, that your grades don't reflect your effort, and so on. Is this the case at Rice? </p></li>
</ol>

<p>Any other related details would also be great to know.</p>

<p>Thank you guys for your help!</p>

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<p>I have a Thresher question… how do I subscribe (as a parent) ?</p>

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<p>@crazymomster, I don’t know if you were looking for a paper or online edition, but here’s where you can go to register to receive the online version: [User</a> registration page - The Rice Thresher - Rice University](<a href=“http://www.ricethresher.org/register-1.112?utm_medium=networkbar&utm_campaign=emailreg&utm_source=internal]User”>http://www.ricethresher.org/register-1.112?utm_medium=networkbar&utm_campaign=emailreg&utm_source=internal)</p>

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<p>That worked. Thanks for the info. If anyone knows how I can get the paper version, that would be even better!</p>

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<p>1) I’m not really familiar with the Thresher application process (or even if there is one), but if I’m not mistaken, I remember reading that they offered money to students in return for them reviewing a restaurant, play, or something, although I’m not sure if that’s the same things as officially being a Thresher member. Either way, I don’t think it’d be too terribly difficult to join, although I could be completely off on that one. Besides that, I know Rice has an online magazine that’s pretty extensive, and I’d imagine that there would be other ways to get involved with journalism on-campus. </p>

<p>2) I’m actually thinking about majoring in CogSci, so I can be of a little more help here. As far as rigor goes, it’s Rice, so your classes are going to be challenging, but the major itself doesn’t require a ton of 4 hour labs or things of that nature. There’s a lot of flexibility in the major, so what classes you have to take for it really come down to what you want your focus to be. So, to answer your question, I wouldn’t call it a super “easy” major by any means, but you’ll definitely have enough time outside of homework/studying/classes to participate in any clubs you might be interested in, hang out with friends, or anything like that. For more specifics, I’d check out Rice’s CogSci website here: cogsci.rice.edu </p>

<p>I haven’t come across any sort of stigma regarding CogSci. Many people don’t know what it is, so they usually ask about it, and then say that they think it’s really interesting. One of my advisors mentioned to me that all the people they know majoring in CogSci really enjoy it and find it to be a good major if that’s of any help. </p>

<p>3) I’ve only been here for basically two weeks, but from what I’ve seen/heard, your GPA reflects what you’ve put into a given class. Of course, that’s going to vary from person to person depending on what classes you’re taking and what professors you have. As far as I know, Rice isn’t infamous for grade deflation or inflation, if that’s what you’re asking about. Again, if I’m not mistaken, GPA’s mostly important if you’ll be applying to med schools, grad schools, or things of that nature after you graduate. </p>

<p>I hope that helps! Hopefully other people can fill in the gaps if I’ve been mistaken about anything. Good luck with the college application process!</p>

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<p>LastShadow, your response was very thorough and helpful! Thank you!</p>

<p>Another thing about CogSci - how popular is it at Rice? Not that it will affect my choice of major, of course. Just curiosity!</p>

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<p>I’m not sure what the breakdown is, exactly. I know that besides those who take it as a standalone major, a sizable amount of people double major in CogSci (it’s not at all difficult since there’s often a lot of overlap between CogSci courses and courses for another major), and something else, so it’s not an extremely rare program or anything.</p>

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<p>During my time at Rice (couple years ago), the Thresher was constantly struggling to find staff writers. There is an activities fair during O-Week where they offer a chance to sign up; they will contact you for op-eds etc. After writing for a while, it is pretty easy to join. I don’t know anyone who was turned down.</p>

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<p>LastShadow, good to know! Thank you!</p>

<p>Antarius, thank you for the info! I wonder why they have that much trouble finding staff writers?</p>

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<p>My son writes for the Thresher (covers some of the sports teams) so I have a little bit of background information. The easiest way to join the staff is during the O-Week activities fair, but contacting the editors anytime would probably work. </p>

<p>The Thresher pays its reporters $15 for each article they write. The editors will send out a list of topics they would like covered by email. You can pick up an article that way. Then there are a handful (like my son) of students who cover certain topics every week or season. Obviously there are also editors. I have no idea about becoming one of those since my son likes being a reporter. </p>

<p>I think the reason the Thresher struggles to find reporters is because there isn’t any type of journalism major. The students who write and run it do it for fun more than anything else.</p>