Rice University vs Boston University

College Search & Selection
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1

Hey guys. I posted this before, but just wanted to see if I could get more opinions.

I’m a transfer student from Bowdoin College who was recently admitted to both Rice and BU. I’ll be entering as a sophomore, hopefully pursuing an English major. Even though my time at Bowdoin wasn’t horrible, it also wasn’t enjoyable because it felt like I was going to boarding school with a lot of rich kids. As a first-gen, low income student, I didn’t feel like I could fit into the community without being so self-conscious of my social markers. However, I loved how small the classes were and how easy it was to connect with professors. I thoroughly enjoyed the classes and the great friends I got to meet.

As I transfer, I’m looking to join a larger school where I can be part of a more diverse community. I’ve realized that I thrive in more urban/larger settings where I can really branch out without feeling so lost.

When it comes to cost, Rice gave me a full ride while for BU I have to pay $11,000 out of pocket.

Here are my opinions on each school:

RICE PROS: Probably the more prestigious out of the two, located in Houston (a city I LOVE), the residential college system, small classes, one of the most diverse schools in the T20.

RICE CONS: My biggest concern with Rice is its size. I know it has around 4,000 undergrads. Does that still feel small? As a humanities major, I’m not sure if Rice is strong in this area. Also, Rice doesn’t have any schools of its caliber nearby.

BU PROS: Large international population, located in Boston next to other great schools, 17,000 undergrad, bigger school —> more things to do (?)

BU CONS: How strong are BU’s programs, specifically humanities? Not as prestigious. Large class sizes I’m assuming.

What are your thoughts?

2

Congrats on the full ride!!! Take it!! When my s went to Rice it was less than 2000, so its really grown!! There are other schools in Houston so there are other students around. You say they arent “of their caliber” but there are grad students and professional students there as well, and some undergrads may be at UH (or Texas Southern) for other reasons (financial, concern about colleges opening so staying close to home, etc). And, I am biased, but I think Rice is a much better school than BU. And the $11k/year price difference makes it a no brainer. Hope campuses open up this fall.

3

Though Rice isn’t known particularly for its programs in English literature, I think it would nonetheless be quite good for study in this area. Based on a combination of academic and financial criteria, it seems to represent your stronger choice in this comparison.

4

Rice is way better than BU. Plus the students are incredibly friendly. It is small but it’s also one of the campuses listed as “happiest students”. I’m jealous of you. Enjoy it.

5

a full ride is a no-brainer. Congrats.

6

A full-ride to an Ivy-equivalent is a no-brainer.

7

A Rice humanities history professor just won a Pulitzer Prize, and one of the English professors just won a Guggenheim… My daughter is a rising senior English/Psychology major at Rice. If you PM me I will put you in touch with her. I’m sure she would be happy to answer any questions you have. The Humanities Department is smaller than the STEM departments, but is of very high quality. Rice does not have a rich kid vibe. It ranks very high for race/class interaction and happiest students. https://news.rice.edu/2020/04/10/132630/ The English major was recently revamped to allow for more specialization. My daughter is going with the new senior seminar option. She is also very involved with the R2 Literary magazine. https://www.ricethresher.org/article/2019/03/english-major-to-include-specializations-new-course