<p>So I have been accepted to both, and I cannot make my mind up about where to attend. I've been given almost a full ride to CMU, and my Rice FA hasn't come out yet, but I'm expecting similar. I'm planning to study civil engineering, and i'm looking for a school that will teach me to excel in my field. However, I am also looking for prestige.... I live in a small town near Dallas, and i am tired of Texas. Is Rice have a different culture in comparison to Texas? And which is the better city, Pittsburgh or Houston? And in what categories? Which has a better social life or party scene? I can buckle down to study, but all work and no play, blah blah blah. What are the pros and cons of each school? I am seriously torn. My dad is pushing for CMU and my mom for Rice, but the decision is up to me. Any comments would be great. Thanks!</p>
<p>I’m a CMU alum and I have a son at Rice, so I know some about both schools. Both have excellent engineering departments, so academics are on equal footing. Hands down, though, the social scene at Rice is much more fun, prevalent and inclusive. CMU is a work hard/work hard school. Rice also has a nicer campus with newer facilities. I recently attended a talk given by the President of CMU who had been attending a conference at Rice and he commented on the new athletic facilities at Rice and how envious he was of them. And as much as you’re ready to get out of Texas, you should consider if you’re really ready for Pittsburgh winters.</p>
<p>it came down between CMU and Rice for me too. social life i would definitely say rice. when i visited CMU it just all seemed pretty miserable to me. both houston and pittsburgh aren’t the greatest cities to me, but i’d say houston’s much better with really great food and a lot to do. weather at CMU is also pretty awful. Engineering departments at both places should be pretty equal, although i’d say you might find smarter peers at Rice since it’s a harder school to get in in general</p>
<p>I live in Houston and while Rice is an amazing school, Houston is not an amazing city. It is packed and humid. There is little to do.</p>
<p>Personally, I would love to move up east to PA if I could. </p>
<p>Congrats though on being accepted to both! That is amazing!</p>
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<p>There is plenty to do. For example, trying great well renowned restaurants around Houston - 5 years on and barely made a dent. As for being packed, you want to go to the Northeast where the population density is many times higher?</p>
<p>Granted, Houston has less going on than New York or Boston, but there is a lot more than Pittsburgh.</p>
<p>Lol at Houston being a boring/not amazing city.</p>
<p>agreed i’m from PA (philadelphia) and while i can say i loved philadelphia a lot more than houston, pittsburgh really isn’t that much better… it’s kind of removed from other cities too, being 6 hours driving distance from philly and new york. in houston at least u have austin which is a pretty fun city from what i heard</p>