@BSMDorBust Not sure how that’s a question. UCB’s reputation is much greater than Rice’s. UCB is to Rice as Stanford is to a school like Duke
Rice is ranked above Berkeley.
@Dhruv97 I feel like you might be a little jaded since UCB is your “dream school” according to your recent post history. (are you from CA by any chance? that would explain why you think it’s so much better). Anyway, as for reasons why Rice matches up just fine, like southview said, Rice is higher ranked than UCB based on academic value and even has a lower acceptance rate (the global reputation/ranking by US News you’re probably going by is highly influenced by how much research the university does as a whole and not really based on how much you actually get out of your education as an undergraduate). Assuming that UCB actually is “much greater” than Rice, then you’re saying UCB is equal to Stanford (which I hope we can agree isn’t true) since Rice is on par with Duke, maybe slightly lower, in terms of “reputation”, which seems to be your standard. In terms of medicine (which is where I’m headed; I’m not sure about other areas) Rice is right next to the Medical Center, so for me Rice would definitely be at least an equal to UCB if not better because of the research/shadowing opportunities. Finally, Rice just has many different aspects that make it unique (like the residential college system, Rice village, the city of Houston, etc.) that can make it a better fit for some people. Overall, both schools are great, but UCB over Rice definitely isn’t a no-brainer by any means.
My son applied to both Rice and Cal and if he’s lucky enough to get in to both, I would send him to Rice… And that is with in state tuition savings for Cal. I believe the quality of the education and experience is better at Rice.
Not to be rude, but this doesn’t need to become an off-topic thread comparing Rice and Berkeley, both of which are amazing schools. Also I’m beginning to doubt that decisions will come out tomorrow lol.
@Dhruv97 I think you have a somewhat skewed perception of UCB. Berkeley is a huge public flagship, oriented towards research and better known for graduate programs than for undergraduate instruction. At the UG level, Rice is going to offer a far more intimate educational experience: smaller classes, closer interaction with faculty (as opposed to TAs who are focused on finishing their dissertations), better opportunities for mentoring and research, etc.
As a resident of CA, I’m glad that the state has a decent public university system (though as the state’s economy slowly declines, the UC/CSU system will decline with it). However, neither I nor the people I know–many of whom work in academia–regard UCB as some sort of Harvard/Oxford hybrid perched above the bay. Maybe you wear Silicon Valley goggles; that can mess with your sense of perspective. You shouldn’t confuse “prestige” with how likely a college is to produce the next tech billionaire.
My D is in at UCLA and has applied to both UCB and Rice (among other schools). However, if she is lucky enough to be accepted to Rice, and if she gets adequate financial aid, there is no question that she would choose Rice over Berkeley. For undergrad, it’s not even close.
Get rekt
Chiming in again (in the morning, I </3 AP Bio) to say GL guys (if it comes out today, starting to get annoyed Rice 8-|
Me too (AP Calc.) I’m not really expecting to get in, but I hope all of you guys do. You all seem like amazing people. There is no other group of fine young men and women I would rather ride into battle with. Tomorrow, we dine in hell!
Yes haha! Good luck to all of you and may the odds be ever in our favors.
So when is Rice releasing their decisions?
If we did not receive a likely letter (or like get an invite to the rice vision thing) are we rejected/wait listed for sure?
I believe Rice Vision is only for extremely qualified URMs. And, likely letters are usually only given to a small percentage of admits.
4/1/15 I’m pretty sure. I have that date in my notes.
No one knows when they’re releasing; April 1st is just the “by then” date. Could be today could be next week.
Rice announced on March 26 in 2013–that’s two days from today. (They have until April 1st like every other school.) Ivy Day is March 31, which is really late this year. My son is a Sophomore, and he loves it. Hoping my daughter gets in, too!
actually i was planning to visit rice if i am lucky enough to get in so that i can really compare it with Cal. that’s why i am so eager to know the results earlier so that i can plan the trip for early apr. now i am not sure if i will have enough time. Cal & rice are so different. although rice may have a better ranking and smaller size (which is always better) , the reputation of Cal and its proximity to silicon valley are unbeatable imo.
Calgirl, Rice has an admitted students program called Owl Days. In the last two years, it has been Wed-Fri, the second week in April. If they do the same, Owl Days will be April 8-10. My daughter is still waiting to hear from seven schools, and only Rice is close to home. You are in good company with the thousands of other exceptional students who will be scrambling to make cross-country travel plans in April.
Same here. We are holding off our school vacation plans to see which schools my daughter gets into that she is most likely to attend.
I wish spring break was a week later or announcements a week earlier. This is the real March Madness.