Rice or Princeton?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>OK, so I'll be making a much more extensive post later on this, but for now I'll do this short one.</p>

<p>I'm going to be majoring in Physics probably, but I have a wide range of interests, scattered throughout the liberal arts.</p>

<p>I've visited both Rice and Princeton, and focused on talking to as many groups of people as possible, which turned out to be about 30-50 students at each school, mostly freshmen/sophmores.</p>

<p>A couple things stuck out to me in particular.</p>

<p>At Princeton, academics looked absolutely amazing. Not only did they have world leaders in all subjects, but they require all underclassmen to do research in a Physics major. In Rice, academics were certainly strong, but the resources were lacking in comparison, and I was basically told that it is more or less impossible for a undergraduate to do research beyond scrubbing flasks in the lab. Also, it seems that Princeton is stronger across the board, and that it would probably be much easier to pursue my other interests there then at Rice -- not only does Pton facilitate late major changes, but they only require about 1/3 of your classes be in your major -- as opposed to about 2/3 at Rice. Academics are especially important to me; I don't just want to go to college to get that piece of paper -- I really want to learn as much about as many things as I can, and above all learn to "think" clearer, more objectively, better.</p>

<p>However, you know how people talk about that feeling that you get when you're on the right campus, it just feels right and perfect, that elusive gut feeling? I got that feeling at Rice, but not at Princeton. I felt the difference pretty much from the time I set foot on both the campuses, until the moment I left. Also, at Rice, I meshed with the people much better, I think. It felt very warm and very inviting socially, and I the people just seemed like my kin. Also, people talk about Rice being nerdy, but I felt that was somewhat unfounded -- yes, nerdier than my high school, but less so, but not nearly as much as Harvey Mudd or U. of Chicago. Further, I like nerdiness to some extent. At Princeton, there seemed to be just as much nerdiness as at Rice, but on the whole, people seemed like average teenagers, which is a bad thing for me -- I meshed with people there about as well as I would expect to mesh with a random selection of college kids -- not really the connection that I felt at Rice. A theory that I have on this is that the pool of kids who apply to Rice is self-selecting, whereas everyone and their grandma applies to Princeton.</p>

<p>I think that I perhaps may be exagering both of these things. Academics are naturally going to feel superior at Princeton, because it's got the big name and the big name people. Also, I think I may have been naturally initially close-minded to Princeton students: I was all hyped up on Rice, and wanted it to be better than Princeton (I naturally try to go against what people generally believe to be true, smug that I'm smarter than all those fools who go with the masses).</p>

<p>Anyway, I've got the two end-all decision makers going against each other on this one: the academics and opportunities seem better at one, whereas the other had a better "feel" and "atmosphere".</p>

<p>So, what do you think?</p>

<p>Well, I guess it wasn't so short after all -- I'll still make a much longer post later.</p>

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<p>go w/ your gut feeling. rice is an excellent school for the sciences (don't know specifics about its fisx dept., tho), and if money is at all an issue, it's a real bargain. i have to go so sorry for being so brief, but the way i see it, the undergrad experience is really unique and you should be able to look back and automatically say that you loved it. when you're happy, you can take advantage of the academic resources around you to the fullest. when you feel out of place, you might not be motivated to achieve as much. seriously, the difference btwn rice and princeton is so little, especially for a motivated and bright person that i'm sure you are (the fact that you applied to and got into princeton is enough to predict your success, no matter where you go to college), that it really comes down to that "gut feeling."</p>

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<p>Rice's physics department is great</p>

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<p>I'm sure you know this...Princeton's name will get you farther, as Rice is not generally known north of the Mason-Dixon line (actually, if you're in the South, that's fine, of course), while Princeton is internationally recognized. I don't want to sound superficial, but prestige is, I think, underrated by many savvy college-bound people, who tend to see prestige as so superficial that they run too far to see its real benefits, which exist. Rice is awesome, but Princeton is one of those schools that will open eyes and doors. Make a careful choice, you'll get a great education either way.</p>

5

<p>If you want to get your doctorate (and if you major in physics, you have to to get a good job), graduate schools look at what college you go to, and generally, they are very informed. Rice has a good reputation among all of them; I've heard a few times that ~70% of rice graduates get into the first graduate school of their choice- and where you get your PhD is probably most important (but you should probably ask your dad about that). And if you get your doctorate, you will work with very academic people, and I'm sure (especially in physics) most of them know about Rice. My theory is the same number of doors will be open to you if you go to a very slightly lower ranked school- it just comes down to how hard you work in college. You just don't want to go some place that's not challenging enough- it might "cap off" your achievement.</p>

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<p>Are you a Texan (I'm really guessing you are)? Did Rice just seem more familiar?</p>

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<p>Yeah, I'm from Houston. It did help that Rice was familiar, and also that as I kid, I passed it multiple times, thinking I'd how I'd love to go there. However, you seem to be implying that Texans get along with other Texans. I got a good rapport not because I met people like me, but just because the atmosphere was open and friendly. I met and got along with people from all over the United States, and some foreign students. Too many people look down on Texas- we're a very large, diverse state. And any institute of higher learning, despite the fact that it's in a heavily "red" state (which shouldn't matter- and I'm heavily liberal, by the way), is going to be open minded and free thinking. Houston is an urban area with a very good arts scene.</p>

<p>By the way, I passed up Rice for Stanford. But I'm not saying everyone should do similarly.</p>

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<p>I was actually asking the question of the op. Not to stereotypw, but I can easily see how someone who grew up in Texas would relate to Rice better than Princeton initially. I also think it's highly unlikely that many kids from lets say NY or CA would even consider choosing Rice over Princeton. Not saying it's for good reason, it's just that Rice isn't on many radar screens in those places.</p>

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<p>Yeah I talk about how I'm considering Rice to a lot of my friends (I'm from Chicago) and when I mention that it's in Texas, without knowing anything at all about the school, they're like, yeah...don't go there. Ignoramuses I say</p>

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<p>
[quote]
I can easily see how someone who grew up in Texas would relate to Rice better than Princeton initially. I also think it's highly unlikely that many kids from lets say NY or CA would even consider choosing Rice over Princeton.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I don't know, I'm from NY, and I definitely relate better to the people at Rice than the people at Princeton. There are many NY-ers at Rice (including a fair bit who turned down Princeton and other Ivies to come, I'd imagine), and many Texans at Princeton, I'm sure. </p>

<p>I think the OP should go where he thinks he'd get the best education and be happiest. </p>

<p>I think that would likely be Rice, from reading his post.</p>

<p>Brian, you definitely should contact some Rice profs (in physics, but also in any other departments you have an interest in) and ask them about the availibility of research opportunities. From my time at Rice, I've found profs VERY receptive to getting students involved (well beyond washing glassware!). There are also some Rice students who have research projects off campus in the Texas Medical Center (biophysics interests) or at NASA (astrophysics interests).</p>

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<p>Devil's advocate here, but wouldn't it be a broadening experience to leave your hometown for college?</p>

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<p>My s. is a physics/mech E. major at Rice. Loves it, loves it. One of the things he liked about Rice was that although there are distribution requirements, there are no core required classes outside your major. P'ton has distribution and class requirements (language proficiency, writing class, junior essay, senior thesis.. etc) I wonder if this has anything to do with why there are more classes required in your major at Rice. Don't know...just a thought...</p>

<p>I love your self-selection theory. Rice students are not prestige whores. Very down-to-earth kids. While I like traditions, having to apply to be accepted to an eating club at P'ton is just a tad too supercilious for me. And "preppy" is not a word you will hear at Rice.</p>

<p>Yes, school name recognition can be helpful insome arenas. But you don't sound like the kind of kid for whom that carries a lot of weight. I admit I am biased. My s. loves Rice. I'd just suggest you think about where you want to spend the next 4 years of your life. Atmosphere is very important. Where will you be happier, do you think?? You obvioulsy have the brains to make it at either school. Follow your heart.</p>

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<p>"I love your self-selection theory. Rice students are not prestige whores. Very down-to-earth kids."</p>

<p>Yeah, that's what I like the most about Rice. It's a great school, but the student body isn't arrogant or elitist at all; one Rice student said that rice students are the "anti-snobs."</p>

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<p>
[quote]
...having to apply to be accepted to an eating club at P'ton is just a tad too supercilious for me.

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</p>

<p>AGREED! Who wants to have to try out to make friends?!? Not me! Residential colleges are sweet - everyone belongs, and there's never any hard feelings because you weren't accepted.</p>

<p>Eating clubs? Yuck.</p>

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<p>Princeton. </p>

<p>Yes, Rice has an excellent program in the sciences but if you're majoring in physics, you're turning down what is (with a handful of other programs) the best physics department anywhere. If you were a bit turned off by the student body, thats understandable but you really have to get to know them first and there will be tons of kids at Princeton you will definately get along with (the physics majors are a fantastic bunch of kids). </p>

<p>On the note of eating clubs, you have three options, going independent, staying in a residential college or joining an eating club. Of the eating clubs, most are determined by lottery. Even if you arent accepted by an eating club, you can still go to most of their parties and everything so I just dont see the negative aspect. And you don't try out to make friends, you join a club WITH your friends. For example, Tower has a group process where either everyone in your group gets in or noone does. Exclusivity at eating clubs is not at all worse as exclusivity that naturally forms on campuses whether it be through cliques, frats or sports. </p>

<p>And lets toss out these ivy league stereotypes, as a student here, I can say that the students, for the most part, are not prestige whores or arrogant or elitist. Sure we have some, but every school does. This whole self-selection theory seems a bit shady because Rice, unlike Chicago, has a ~16% acceptance rate and a number of applicants comparable to Princeton. Rice is an incredibly prestigious institution so I also don't quite buy this whole "no prestige whore" argument. </p>

<p>And sure, you can get a good feel for the campus's atmosphere when you visit, but all these admitted student days must be taken with a grain of salt. You really are not seeing the "real" Princeton</p>

<p>Both schools have happy students and I assure you that either will be excellent choices, however, If I were in your position I would pick Princeton on academics and opportunities alone. However, if Rice is throwing money at you, I would say Rice Rice Rice!</p>

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<p>Hey, I don't want to rain on your parade, but I am in a similar situation. I got into Cornell for PHYSICS, like you, and need to decide, more than anything, if I made a good choice. Should I have applied to Berkeley, Rice, Columbia? Just to know for future reference, or is Cornell on par. My other admitted choices are UIUC (won't go though) and UChicago.</p>

<p>That said, go Princeton. I was rejected, but would love to have been able to go. Their physics is amazing, and their focus is on undergraduates. Go to the top! Princeton.</p>