<p>^ alright, do you think going to Rice or UOM would be a better option for me?
I'm intending to go into engineering but would like to explore the humanities, social sciences etc as well. (kinda undecided) I suppose UOM has an outstanding engineering school which is highly regarded internationally. (maybe more "known" than Rice). However, the "small school atmosphere" at Rice appeals to me more. I can't visit either school cause that will be too expensive. So wad do you guys think? Any advice would be welcome!
... Btw, I'm int'l so cost-wise, there isn't much of a difference.</p>
<p>Are you going to stay in the US or go back to your home country after graduation?</p>
<p>Michigan, if you are majoring in engineering, and if you are going back after graduation, hands down. I come from hong kong, rice is pretty unknown back there except for kids applying to colleges. Michigan, however, is like THE SCHOOL after the ivies.</p>
<p>I'll prob be going back after graduation. Yea, lots of people from my country and esp my school get accepted to Umich though many don't end up going there.. It's def more "heard of". But it's a huge school and I favour smaller colleges. Just don't know if it's worth it giving up this chance to study at such a gd engineering school.</p>
<p>Goto Rice. I think the only plus for UM is the large international student community. Rice is smaller, prettier, and cheaper as well. Your future employers will know how good Rice is.</p>
<p>Smashin, there is more to life than going to a great university. Rice is a decent school. It isn't Michigan, but it is not far behind. In some ways, it is actually better. Overall, Rice is a great university with a solid reputation. If you prefer the feel of Rice, go for it. </p>
<p>Jeffl, Rice is neither prettier not is it cheaper. I agree that is is smaller and more personal though.</p>
<p>Smashin, you should also take locale into consideration. Do you want to live in a huge, urban, relatively conservative city like Houston, or in a small, liberal college city like Ann Arbor.</p>
<p>Both are great and you need to go with your gut feel on this. Rice is smaller and it is known for it great residential college system, prof that are easy to get to know, and brigtht student body. I have sent a number of students there and all were happy, got good jobs or got into top grad schools. Michigan is a top-notch school with a large engineering program and any thing else you want. Their learning centers and other aspects make it possble to feel like you are attending a small college within a college. I sure hear from a lot of students who love it. You are lucky to have these good choices. Maybe do both,one undergrad and one grad!</p>
<p>Cost wise they are about the same (UM OOS) for freshman-sophomore in engineernig. UM adds then another 3 +K junior and senior for tuition.</p>
<p>Also Rice is real flexible on courses and double majoring seems almost to be the norm there.</p>
<p>UM has a much better atmosphere</p>
<p>guys..stop arguing which school's better..it's different for different people...all you know is..u cant go wrong choosing either UM or Rice....they are both superb institutions</p>
<p>All I can say is congrats. Having to choose between Rice and UMich is a problem many would like to have =)</p>
<p>Rice's tuition is 26k, my tuition for the 2006-2007 year is 33k. I think Rice is prettier. <a href="http://staff.rice.edu/images/desktopbkg/Quad_800x600.jpg%5B/url%5D">http://staff.rice.edu/images/desktopbkg/Quad_800x600.jpg</a>
whatever you say alexandre, i never wanted to seek your approval.</p>
<p>Jeffl, room and board at Rice is $10,000, at Michigan, it is $8,000. Overall, one year at Rice costs roughly $40,000 and at Michigan roughly $43,000. Yes, Michigan is more expensive, but is it noteworthy?</p>
<p>In terms of campus beauty, I have been to Rice, it is a very nice campus, but it is not stunning or gorgeous. Michigan's campus is not pretty, I have always admitted as much. However, Michigan's campus is impressive. You show us one picture of Rice, which is probably one of Rice's prettier corners since it is on an offical cover. I am sure I can find equally beautiful corners of Michigan too, but that would be pointless.</p>
<p>As stated by others these are both very good but very different. Rice has less than 3000 undergrads. For a school its size it has a large campus area. To say is not a nice cmapus means one does not like the architechure and the trees. It sits next to West University and established neighborhoods with lot of restaurants (by the way Houston probably has more of any kid of food or entertainment than most cities), has the large park containig the outdoor theater and zoo on another side and is bordered by the largest medical center in the country on another side. You are very very close to one some of the best opera,symphony, ballet in the country, theater and pro sports, oh yeah and some jazz bars. Obviously, Michigan has the Big House, great sports tradition etc, and is in a great college town with a great arts community but the campuses are spread out. Weatherwise, in the winter Houston is not bad compared to Ann Arbor. In the summer Houston is worse than Michigan but as far as summer or winter go neither are San Diego--so many good colleges in places with lousy weather.
By the way tuition at Rice in the Fall iwill be $28400 (I do not think Michigan has posted yet but assume $31500 for freshman OOS) and the fees are a bit higher at Rice than at Michigan. Room and board are more at Rice. The standard meal plan includes more meals, dorms that are air conditioned and many rooms that seem nicer than a number I have seen at Michigan.
Both great choices and both have lots of students who seem seem happy. So small versus big, you choose. I concur nice choices to have.</p>
<p>"dorms that are air conditioned"
um..i think that's a necessity rather than a luxury in houston</p>
<p>The only months a student would require air-conditioning in Michigan are June-mid September. Luckily, regular classes at Michigan start in early September and end in late April. The average high in Ann Arbor in September is 75 degrees, with an average low of 55 degrees. In comparison, the average high in Houston in September is 90 degrees, with an average low of 72. That's a 15 degree difference, which explains why Rice dorms must be equipped with ACs and Michigan dorms do not.</p>
<p>Didn't say it was a luxury just pointing out why operating costs could be higher. Dorms at WashU are also air conditioned and cost more than Michigan. Actually those of us from the midwest used to say we had three months of winter and nine months of August. Having also lived in Houston I would say a good chunk of the school year the temp is not too bad. One does adapt. Good point though about the early summer break at Michigan. One may not like the short December time off but for summer jobs/internships the Mchigan school year is a real plus.</p>
<p>thanks for your replies! :)
just a few questions.. (that seem real silly to ask)
are the school years different at UOM and Rice? Like when they have breaks and all? Also, which campus is more convenient to live on and get ard if i don't own a car? And, which residential system could possibly offer a friendlier, perhaps even family-like "home away from home"? Oh.. and what are the winters at Houston like? How long do they last and how cold does it get?</p>
<p>Look at the web sites for calandars and go to city or other sites for weather. Both schools offer free busses and shuttles. You do not need a car at either place. Read about residential college life at Rice and learnning centers at Michigan. Vist each school's res life sites. Do a search on CC to see what students have to say about dorms etc. Visit if you can.</p>