<p>I have never been to Houston or anywhere in Texas as I am from New York and haven't really ventured that much except for Florida, however, I would appreciate if any Rice students or parents or informed ppl can tell me if Rice has a nice campus, buildings, facilities, etc... and there any pictures of Rice on the internet???</p>
<p>I'm from CT, and I really didnt know what to expect when I visited last month, but its lovely. very distinct from the city, green and tree-y and such. Some of the buildings werent gorgeous (like the dorm i stayed in - but it was quite pleasant inside), but most were pretty nice.</p>
<p>The campus is one of the most beautiful I have ever visited; it is rumored, according to my friend, that there are more trees planted than freshman admitted, but I do not see a problem with that:)</p>
<p>Lots of old oak trees :) Occasional palm trees too, I believe... The music school is really nice, but that's the only place I've spent much time. I know that they do want to keep it looking nice; over the summer they were doing some repairs on the stonework of some buildings.<br>
About Houston weather: The weather is hot from April or May until October. During "winter" temperatures range between 30 and 70 degrees, usually around 50. This winter it SNOWED for the first time in 10 years, and a day later I saw girls in the mall wearing miniskirts and flip flops. It was about 65 outisde.</p>
<p>There are only two seasons in Houston: Summer and Winter.</p>
<p>I think it's summer and that-other-season-that's-not-as-hot (but doesn't involve snow, leaves falling, or a few weeks of flower buds).</p>
<p>well, I'm going to go visit tomorrow actually, so I'll let you guys know what I think!</p>
<p>During my interview, my interviewer told me that there is always construction on the Rice Campus. We are both from Tucson, where there is always construction, but somehow all of our streets are still crappy, so I don't see this characteristic as very much of an annoyance.</p>
<p>nspeds-
Correction-
There are 2 seasons in Houston- Summer and Christmas day :)</p>
<p>All kidding aside, Rice has a gorgeous campus. Despite being a stone's throw from downtown, it is completely surrounded by hedges- with lots and lots of trees, grassy areas, and mostly striking buildings (where'd you stay, cubed?). The rice website has many photos, and some grad student posted photos on this site not too long ago. I'll look for it and link it.</p>
<p>
[quote]
There are 2 seasons in Houston- Summer and Christmas day
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I stand corrected:D</p>
<p>i stayed in the tower of Brown - kind of icky outside, though the new wing is much better.</p>
<p>Here's the link-- itn the "Rice Campus" thread <a href="http://www.jeffshafer.net/photos/index.php?cat=3%5B/url%5D">http://www.jeffshafer.net/photos/index.php?cat=3</a></p>
<p>Cubed-
Brown's dining room is beautiful - arched exposed wooden beams.. I guess beauty is on the inside.</p>
<p>oh, yes, i didnt say it wasnt. i just mentioned that on first look, the tower isnt the most beautiful of buildings... the inside was fine (i found the rooms themselves to be very nice, spacious, etc), as was the newer wing.</p>
<p>It is a wonderful campus with a 3 mile "outer loop" surrounding the whole campus. This is a walking/running path that gets a lot of use. The campus is pretty and has lots of green fields and trees. D studies outside a lot. The common areas in the residential colleges are comfotable and have good staging areas for performances. The music school (Shepherd) is awesome.</p>
<p>I'm visiting on Friday for the first time, but I've heard that the campus is really pretty. As far as weather goes, I live in Austin, and I can tell you that the weather here is gorgeous most of the time. For like, four days in mid February, we were actually in the high seventies/low eighties. However, we do have lots of allergens, so you may develop an allergy or several. </p>
<p>By the way, my parents are planning to drop me off for a few hours while they go shopping in Chinatown. Anyone have any suggestions for things to do besides take the tour?</p>
<p>take a class, go sit in a college commons and talk to random students, check out the library, chill in the student center, go to a sporting event - see <a href="http://www.riceowls.com%5B/url%5D">www.riceowls.com</a> for the schedule, read the Thresher (student newspaper), walk around rice village, find a hammock and take a nap, read a magazine (you can get one from the info desk in the student center or in a lot of college commons).</p>
<p>Well, Rice Village has cool little shops, though expensive ones. I like wandering around and looking at stuff but not buying it. Can't tell you what to do on campus, since I'm not a student there. I will be there a bit on Saturday, though.</p>
<p>hahaha speaking of the fondren library at rice, i went to find a specific book there for a research paper a couple weeks ago; long story short, it was a "traumatic" experience - i was so lost! (i know now i should have gotten a map) & the copy machines ate a lot of my money (okay, maybe a buck or so at the most but still!! i was short on change & thats quite a # of copies!)
haha i guess the library was comfortable ( i fell asleep for 30-45 minutes at one point when i finally found the book and sat down with it) & actually i was in there for 3 hrs...
BUT it's all good cuz i did, with some help, find the book, found some valuable stuff in it, etc.
& OH, i did the official visit yesterday (ya know, info session, tour) & to sum it up, rice is nice, seems pretty safe, not a huge huge campus - the weather not so great but that's houston for ya & anyhow, i personally have managed to escape its worst weather in the last couple years</p>
<p>Jen-
Can you tell the story of the lasertag game that was held in the library earlier this year?? I thought there was an article about it in the Thresher, but I don't think I can access it on line.</p>
<p>I am just curious, I keep on hearing conflicting accounts of Houston's weather. I mean I see Houston's forecasts on the weather channel and it seems to always have nice and comfortable temperatures such as in the 50s and the 60s in the dead of Winter. Therefore, I am just curious, what do you all mean when you say the wather in Houston is 'horrible'? Are you referring to the summer months, b/c I know that it can be really and unbearably hot?</p>