<p>I have a son and we live in Vermont. He's a junior, has great grades (3.9/4.0) and wants to go to university in a major city. He is undeicided about a major, but is strong in math, science and history. Loves sports! What do you think about Rice University? I don't know much about it, and know little about Houston. Do you think it might be a good fit? Do Northerners fit in there?</p>
<p>As a transplanted Houstonian and with a son at Rice, I can tell you a lot about both things. But to get a glimpse for yourself, check out the virtual tour of Rice and the surrounding area. [Rice</a> University - Virtual Tours](<a href=“http://www.rice.edu/virtualtours/]Rice”>Visit Rice)</p>
<p>As to Rice, it’s a terrific school that is small and intimate like a LAC, but with incredible research opportunities and facilities. The biggest difference between Rice and most other colleges is the residential college system. There is no Greek life. Each student is assigned to a college and it becomes their home and family for all 4 years. This set-up really promotes an incredibly inclusive social life and integration among ethnicities. Students are collaborative and friendly and down to earth. A New Englander can definitely feel at home at Rice.</p>
<p>Rice has a beautiful campus that’s a few miles from downtown, but the immediate area has a suburban feel. A 14-block shopping-restaurant area is just a few blocks from campus. On the other side of campus is the Texas Medical Center that is the largest medical complex in the world, with 13 hospitals and 2 medical schools. This provides incredible research opportunities. Light rail runs along one side of campus, which makes it easy to travel to close-by museums and to downtown.</p>
<p>Houston will defy your idea of Texas. Most everyone in Houston is transplanted from somewhere else (which provides us with an incredible array of ethnic restaurants). It is an incredibly dynamic, multi-cultural city that welcomes newcomers and new ideas. In fact, we just elected an openly gay female mayor. Come visit and see for yourself. Feel free to PM me if you need any more info.</p>
<p>I think Rice is a very impressive and underrated school.
The Houston location is the only downside I’ve noticed. Not because Houston is not everything blackeyedsusan says it is, but just because it’s so far from where many of us live (in my case, the Blackeyed Susan state.) That and the weather (humidity and hurricanes.)</p>
<p>On the other hand, if you have to compromise on one feature, location (distance, climate) is a good one to compromise. The fact that a great school like Rice is off the beaten trail (from a bi-coastal perspective) often means you can get a little break (a “discount”) on admissions or the cost of attendance. Rice has great financial aid. It is probably one of the best bargain schools in America.</p>
<p>My son is interested in Architecture and Rice is great for that. Unfortunately, again, Houston was a hard sell. Maybe for grad school. They’ve been a wonderful contributor to the Department of Energy’s “Solar Decathlon” program (an annual bake-off competition to design the most energy efficient homes). Someone strong in math, science and history might find architecture a very interesting field. The Solar Decathlon projects involve, I think, about 100 Rice students from various disciplines each year.</p>
<p>Rice is underrated. It is an excellent school with a beautiful campus. In my opinion, it should be viewed on par with the lower ranked Ivy League schools.</p>
<p>I don’t live in Texas but I have visited Houston and Rice campus several times. I agree with everything tk21769 said earlier. The campus is beautiful and kids look happy there.</p>