Rice Economics /Social Sciences -- need input from current students / Others that have knowledge

Colleges and Universities A-Z Rice University
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My son has been fortunate to be admitted to multiple great Universities. He at this point has narrowed down his choices to Rice University (Economics / Social Sciences with business minor) and UT Austin McCombs School of business (waiting also to hear back from Business Honors Program – wait list). We know that McCombs BHP program has very solid recruiting into Investment Banking and Major Consulting companies like McKinsey, BCG, Bain etc. While we also know that Rice over the past few years is trying to turnaround its Economics program and starting next fall its revamped the entire curriculum.

The question I have is given Rice’s Economics departments past weakness, how strong is the internship / full time recruiting by the Investment Banking and Consulting companies at Rice for Economics / Social sciences students ?
We do not have any merit or any financial aid from either of the two schools but financially fortunately we can afford either one. My son loves Rice over UT but also wants to make sure that the recruiting opportunities are strong in his area of interest specially if he ends up paying over $100,000 over UT.

Any advice / input would be greatly appreciated! Thanks

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I faced a similar decision a few years ago (UT BHP v. UVA v. Rice and Vanderbilt Economics). I ultimately chose BHP for a myriad of reasons - the city, resources, size, culture fit, etc. While I can’t speak to the strength of the Rice economics program or their efforts to turn it around, ultimately your son’s academic and professional success at either institution will come down to him and how he builds his brand. I recruited at each of the consulting firms you mentioned and know fellow students from Rice that did the same. While I did not personally recruit for investment banking, I know multiple Rice students who interviewed with Goldman, JP Morgan, Morgan Stanley, BAML, etc (as did my UT peers). While I have heard from Rice students that their career department does not look out for them as well as ours does at UT, my point is that neither school will hinder his opportunities in recruiting if he is successful academically and proactive in his efforts to work in whatever industry or firm he desires. Message me if you have any more questions!