<p>But its in Texas.</p>
<p>my friend at Rice complains the girls aren't attractive.</p>
<p>oh please carrera, Texas is a complete state. It's practically its own country! IT spans two timezones, every type of terrain, has pretty beaches, has charming towns, and not just one but many huge and important cities: Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Austin, and El Paso. every type of person in the world is in Texas and everyone is accepted (or atleast tolerated) ESPECIALLY southern baptist white folk. kidding. Especially in Houston, you can find your niche and there will be plenty of company in it.</p>
<p>Amused, don't get me wrong, I did my grad work at U of Fla, and it was a great place to be. But for undergrad, I wouldn't compare it to Rice. And just curious, why is that article you posted about U of Fla's national merit students in the Sports section???</p>
<p>It sure does feel like its own country.</p>
<p>I could never live in Texas... sorry.</p>
<p>who cares about national merit scholarships? Not only does that test not matter, but it has nothing to do with the quality of the schools we are talking about.</p>
<p>That test doesn't matter... do you mean the PSAT? Would you also say the SAT doesn't matter? It's more or less the same test. Anyway, National Merit Scholars aren't selected solely on the basis of standardized test scores. It's the beginning, but is only one factor.</p>
<p>The comments about "I hate Texas" are pretty obscure and immature, IMO. People who have been to colleges would realize that college campuses are always fairly insular, and even if it were in Mexico, you would find plenty of people like you there.</p>
<p>Rice, for example, has a good portion of its students from New England, New York, and California. And PLENTY of open thinkers (moreso than say Princeton, I would venture).</p>
<p>I never said I hate Texas... I just never ever want to live there.</p>
<p>Seriously, the Texas phobia thing is so ridiculous it is causing me physical pain. Please, before you write off Rice because of its location, visit! See for yourself. The stereotypes are not very accurate, IMO.</p>
<p>If you do visit (or at least take a few minutes to educate yourself) you will find laid back students, an inclusive college system, and active student groups of all political and religious persuasions (including: Rice for Peace, Young Republicans, Young Democrats, Rice for Life, Rice for Choice, Hillel, Various Christian groups). </p>
<p>Check out who the local government officials are: They are pretty much evenly split. </p>
<p>Houston is not the same as many other parts of Texas. I have yet to see a tumbleweed or cattle or a cowboy (although the rodeo IS coming soon :) ). </p>
<p>Rice is fantastic because unlike many colleges (which are decidely, overwhelmingly liberal places) at Rice you have a mixture. One of my favorite things to look at last semester was two windows in one of the dorms. Right across a quad from each other, one had a Bush campaign sign, and the other a Kerry sign. This was emblematic of the wide diversity of thought that I have seen on campus. This diversity will help you grow. By questioning your convictions, you will learn.</p>
<p>Also, Rice is in a fabulous neighborhood. It's surrounded by the Village which is great for shopping, going out, etc., the Texas Medical Center which has more opportunities for research, volunteering, and internships, than you could find at most other universities, Hermann Park and the Museum District. It's a fabulous place to go to school.</p>
<p>Interestingly, although CalTech is obviously a great school, Rice has so much more to offer in my opinion - stellar humanities and social science programs, plus a top notch school of music and of architecture. Also, the social life at Rice is very different.</p>
<p>I decided not to apply to any of the Ivys because I just couldn't understand why I should pay more than $40,000 extra (over four years) to get larger classes, more TAs, less research opportunites, and bitter cold weather. </p>
<p>Please, if you are looking at the top schools, look at Rice. You owe it to yourself. You would never know what you were missing if you didn't at least consider it.</p>
<p>I LOVE this thread.</p>
<p>It's ok. no hurt feelings.</p>
<p>I never dissed Rice. I am sure it is an excellent school, infact.. I know it is an excellent school. I heard that Rice has the most Noble Prize winners who graduated from the university.</p>
<p>I just have been to Texas a few times... and I really don't want to go back. Ever.</p>
<p>"I never said I hate Texas... I just never ever want to live there."</p>
<p>I can't wait to live in Texas. Low cost of living, 0% state income tax. The north starves its own economy, which is why everyone is moving from the northeastern states to the soutwest: Texas, Nevada, and Arizona. Every year, those states get a little bigger and New England gets a little smaller.</p>
<p>Also, it's not a political thing - Texas isn't such a red state except when a Bush is running. Kennedy won in Texas, but lost in New Hampshire.</p>
<p>No one faults you for your preference, Carrera. It's just that no one says they wouldn't consider Harvard because they never want to live in Taxachusetts (okay, maybe some people do). I just don't think it's particularly relevant to why Rice University is better than Harvard and Stanford.</p>
<p>ya i too fell in love with rice, unfortunately this was after i have enrolled in college.</p>
<p>I'm actually in the same boat, jeffl! I'm looking to go to Rice for GRADUATE school. :) This thread is aimed at undergrad applicants though, because I hope that future generations don't end up like us! Hehe.</p>
<p>Houston on the whole is ok (I live here). I've worked at Rice for the past 3 years on research and stuff and I don't know if its so GREATER THAN harvard and stanford. I mean yea they have a lot of national merit but it is partially cause they offer money for it (Baylor does too, thats why they have so many). Anyway nationaly merit is usually a measure of how much money u have to get classes for it. Some of their addvertising and brochures are misleading (if you go to open campus day they "claryify" some of the it). In Houston (where they supposedly get 1/4 of their freshmen class) Rice is BIG. Like better than Harvard big. But that occationally gets me mad cause, Yea its a great school but don't harp on it as ALL Texas public high schools do (for many private and elite public schools here Rice has a second choice feel to it). If ya want a good community with good academics and undergrad focus, Rice is for you (if you can get past how Houston is BEYOND Rice Village). If money isn't a factor and you're undergrad is a stepping stone to grad, Harvard/Stanford wins.
And yes, the girls/guys aren't that attractive (so says many alums hahaha).
Also, hikki have you ever been to Galveston? The beaches are disgusting.
Jenskate, all our reps are Red. Houston loves Tom Delay (thats why we let him take so much money). Our dems in the Texas senate ran away and were forced to come back. So, we are Red.</p>
<p>gimpage, you are simply wrong.</p>
<p>
[quote]
If money isn't a factor and you're undergrad is a stepping stone to grad, Harvard/Stanford wins.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Can you please explain your perceived advantage of applying to grad school from Harvard/Stanford over applying from Rice? Because I've yet to find one. The two are exactly equal (as are many other schools) given the same GPA and standardized test scores. In fact, if you are a Harvard undergrad applying to Harvard Law, the Rice undergrad wins in a tie. Same with a Stanford undergrad applying to Stanford Law. The Rice undergrad adds "diversity" to the school whereas the Harvard/Stanford guy adds nothing.</p>
<p>Also, please explain what "advertising" Rice puts out that is misleading. Furthermore, if you think that Harvard students are happier at Harvard than Rice students are at Rice, you've never been to Harvard. Have you?</p>
<p>Oh, I forgot to say: what percentage of Baylor students got National Merit Scholarships? I'd be shocked if it was greater than 3% or so. That's not very comparable to the 25%+ at Rice.</p>
<p>"If money isn't a factor and you're undergrad is a stepping stone to grad, Harvard/Stanford wins."</p>
<p>Can you please clarify on this grimpage? Are you saying that because the Rice name/prestige is not so high as Harvard/Stanford? Or is the preparation less intense?</p>
<p>I just looked it up. Baylor, who gets "so many" National Merit Scholars because of the scholarships they give them, has NMS make up slightly above 1% of its student body. Compared to 25% at Rice and Harvard or even 15% at Princeton, 1% is not high.</p>