<p>DD is at Shepherd School of Music and that is well respected on campus by other students. She attends recitals and concerts and you can't even get the tickets to the symphonies and operas if you wait too late. The colleges also produce thier own student run plays and musicals. </p>
<p>You really have to read about and understand the college system to understand how that is the culture at Rice and influences with everything on campus.</p>
<p>As far as student interest in intercollege sports, it varies a lot. Of all the intramurals we have, I've only gone to watch powderpuff football games, which is arguably the most popular/recognized IM sport. The Hanszen/Weiss (our rivals) powderpuff game was rather well attended. A bunch of people are participants in IM sports, some are spectators, and many are neither. For most sports, I don't know where we stand until results are announced at the weekly Cabinet (college government) meetings, and I feel that that's how most people are. </p>
<p>When I say that college rivalries go beyond sports, I mean more that one's college becomes a huge part of their being. The people in your college are your study partners, your friends, and really, your family. Like, I've only been in Hanszen for two months, but I identify as strongly as a Hanszenite as I do as an Ohioan, and I've lived in Ohio my entire life. I see this as a purely positive thing. Also, as a Hanszenite, there are a few facts of life that I have been lucky enough to have bestowed upon me, namely, that Wiess is pretty much the lamest college, but isn't as bad as not being a college at all, like Martel. (obligatory college-bashing, all in good humor)</p>
<p>As far as plays and concerts and the arts, yeah, I would say they are about as well attended (definitely as well participated) as IM sports. Most (if not all?) colleges have a play or musical or two every year, which are open for participation to the entire student body, not just those at the college presenting it. The Shepard school of music also has quite a few concerts every semester. There are some other university-wide performing groups, too, such as Rice Symphonic Band, Campanile Orchestra (nonmajor orch), Jazz Band, Rice Light Opera Society, Philharmonics (vocal group), Spontaneous Combustion (improv comedy), etc. that perform frequently. Some are better attended than others. Basically, I'd say that neither sports nor performances draw incredibly huge crowds, since we tend to be very busy here, but the opportunities are there.</p>
<p>If you're worried that Rice has a "typical" student that might not quite be your daughter, don't worry. The most distinguishing aspect of a Rice student is his or her atypicality. Pretty much anyone can find their niche here.</p>
<p>To give you an idea of what IM sports at Rice can be like: during freshman flag football practice, one of the guy serving as coach was trying to explain a play and wasn't having much luck, when one of the players went "Oh, so you want me to run in an arc-tangent curve?" and suddenly everyone on the field understood.</p>
<p>HAHAHA. Wow.</p>
<p>Speaking of which, that reminds me of Screw-Yer-Roommate where I saw an eerie number of dateless dates featuring mathematical equations and other nerdy, geeky references wandering around trying to find their other half. Only at Rice ;)</p>
<p>Thanks, eravial08, and all the others for your responses - particularly the geeky stories!</p>
<p>Another example of the college rivalries/loyalties. When D was at Rice I mentioned to her that I met a business associate who was a Rice grad and had been in Brown College. She immediately responded, "Did you tell him Brown sucks and Hanszen rules?" It's all in good fun, and makes for a neat college experience.</p>