With just a little bit of time left to decide, I am fairly certain I am going to commit to Rice! I’m trying to assure myself against the lingering doubts that I have. One of the things many people have told me is that Vassar (the other school I was considering) reigns supreme in terms of recognition on the East Coast. I hope to find a job or potentially go to graduate school on the East Coast after college. Any thoughts? Thank you!
(Also, if looking at my old posts, please ignore the UCB v. UCSB posts. Those were a friend’s!)
Both colleges are well regarded but I do think Vassar might be more well known on east coast. Are you planning to go to graduate school? Rice’s acceptance rate to amazing graduate schools is impressive. If not, you could do some searching in the industry you’re interested in and see which school is more highly regarded.
For either grad school or employment, anybody who knows ANYTHING is going to be familiar with Rice!
No, probably not at your local Walmart - but they won’t have heard of Vassar either! 
The one difference is that you’re likely to find more Rice graduates on the left side of the country than on the right - which just makes it that much easier to get jobs in those places. But a Rice degree will serve you well wherever you go. 
Rice is a tremendous school, well known to grad schools and employers throughout the US. I wouldn’t hesitate. And congrats on two great acceptances!
Sure, Vassar is well known on the East Coast–but Rice is becoming increasingly well-known throughout the U.S. Certainly any decent East Coast grad school will know (and respect) Rice.
If I asked my many nieces and nephews (age 25-35, working mostly in Philadelphia but also in Manhattan and Boston) about Rice, I think they would all recognize it as a highly selective university. Of course, they’d know that Vassar is strong, too. A number of very bright students from my D’s high school applied to Rice; it is a “hot” school for at least some East Coast students in your age bracket.
I live in western Pennsylvania; most of the people I know (even very intelligent and successful people) sadly are not very familiar with Rice. I do not know a single Rice alumni, which is unfortunate considering I was admitted this year.
Thank you all! I committed to Rice University!! Which I am very happy with, but just received news that I got off the waitlist for Claremont McKenna, which was originally one of my top choices… will likely be posting again to hear some insights