Rice VS Berkeley

Colleges and Universities A-Z Rice University
1

<p>Hi,
I sincerely beg you to help me.</p>

<p>I got acceptance from both Rice and Berkeley.
I have largely four factors that I consider:</p>

<li><p>$$$
I am an international student and thus could not apply for fin aid for both universities. The cost for international student is the same in both schools, so my only concern is that: in which school do I have higher chance to get fin aid or merit scholarship for sophomore? (by the way, does Rice provide Fin aid and merit based scholarship for returning international students? I know UCB does, but Rice doesn’t seem to)</p></li>
<li><p>major
I am planning to major in civil and environmental engineering, which I know that UCB is best at in the entire country. However, I am not quite sure whether I will continue my major, and from what I heard, Rice is good for double majoring and changing majors. Which school will be a better fit for me in this case?</p></li>
<li><p>life
I am going to live in campus, and I heard that Rice has one of the best residential college systems (which is the reason I applied for Rice). I am not quite sure about UCB. Is it fun to study at UCB? I know that undergrad is going to be rigorous and deadly in both schools, so I want to go to the place where I can study with some comfort at least.</p></li>
<li><p>grad school
I am planning to go to grad school, specifically engineering + MBA programs. Considering the difficulty of getting good GPA’s, relationship with professors, school reputation, etc., which school would be better?</p></li>
</ol>

<p>I am really having a difficulty choosing between these two schools. From what I believe, for international school, UCB has advantage in 1,2 and Rice has advantage in 3,4. I would really appreciate if anyone could give me advice on any of the four factors. Thank you very much.</p>

2

<ol>
<li>don't know</li>
<li>Rice hands down. Changing majors is easy unless you want to change to music or architecture. At Berkeley its hard to change from school to school.</li>
<li>Nearly every person at Rice loves the RC system. Berkeley is probably more social and more competetive.</li>
<li>No difference, Rice better in TX, Berkeley in CA.</li>
</ol>

3

<p>Rice is rigorous (but NOT deadly), and both my kids have had lots of fun there, especially with club sports and residential college system. This is what I posted on another thread;

[quote]
Rice is "cozier". At Rice, you will have a big wide academic and social world available to you, and opportunities galore, but if you get sick or need help picking up medicine or need counseling or just a place to go because you feel like you are not sure what's going on, you will have support services. There will be people who know you and there will be personal attention and flexibility if you need it. You won't fall through the cracks. Your college masters will be there - not that you need parents on site - but they are there if you need them, and they will know you... and if your mom decides she wants to get you a cake for your birthday long-distance, your college coordinator knows where to order one (and in our case, even stopped by the store to pick it up and deliver it to DD on her birthday several years ago!), and if you need something from the store and don't have a car, probably your o-week advisor (a kid a year or two older than you, who has bonded with you through a week of intensive and fun activities) will take you along when he/she makes a trip and might even drop you off at the airport if you need a ride, and your profs will be accessible and they might even (like several of my DD's) invite you into their homes, make you dinner, introduce you to their kids, hire you as a tutor or editor or research assistant, and your res college will be a home away from home, and you'll probably be able to leave some of your junk there in summer storage instead of shlepping it all home... and I could probably go on for hours in a similar vein. UT Austin Plan II is a very fine program, and I am very familiar with UT. But for an out-of-state student particularly, Rice is a better place to be and you will be surrounded by students from all over the country and the world, instead of just from Texas.

[/quote]
Just change out the words "UT Austin" for "Berkeley" and it still applies. HTH's ;)</p>

1 Like
4

<p>As a bit of background, I did my undergrad at Berkeley and currently am a med student at Baylor (not affiliated w/ Baylor U in Waco) which is located in the Texas Med Center, next to Rice. There are a good number of Rice alumni in my class, so my information on that school is 2nd hand</p>

<ol>
<li>$$$</li>
</ol>

<p>I don't know too much about financial aid for international students. However, $$$ is usually a factor <em>against</em> Berkeley since they are quite stingy with their financial aid packages.</p>

<ol>
<li>Changing Majors</li>
</ol>

<p>It is <em>very</em> easy to change majors in Berkeley. There are several different "schools": 1. Letters and Science (LnS) 2. Engineering, 3. Chemistry 4. Architecture and 5. Environmental Science. LnS includes the vast majority of majors (everything from physics and econ to art history and sanskrit). I know numerous people who switched from LnS into the more competitive Engineering, chemistry, and architecture majors. I dont' know much about architecture, but our Engineering and Chemistry departments are arguably the best in the country. However, since you'd most likely be switching FROM engineering into LnS, you would have no problem at all if, say u wanted to become a Math major or a German major. Just make sure that you're taking the pre-requisite courses during your first two years, so you keep the option of switching majors open</p>

<ol>
<li>Life</li>
</ol>

<p>The Bay area is a far better place to live and go to school than Houston. Period. As an international student, you will appreciate the far greater diversity. Downtown San Francisco is only 20-30 minutes away by BART. Berkeley is such a large school that there is a niche for everyone. Yes, I studied my ass off but I had a fantastic time.</p>

<ol>
<li>Grad School</li>
</ol>

<p>Berkeley is tough, but we have an excellent track record of sending people to top grad schools. At least for engineering and chemistry, MIT and Berkeley tend to "trade" students. Since both schools don't accept their own undergrads into their grad programs (institutional nepotism diminishes student quality). Berkeley's real strength is the uniform excellence of its graduate departments. At least according to US News Berkeley ranks in the top 10 in 21 out of the 22 disciplines in which it has a program. The campus rates in the top three in 12 out of those 22 fields. So the big question is, does this impact undergraduate education? <em>Absolutely</em>. Grad schools look for potential productivity as a researcher, so if you take the time to seek out a faculty mentor you can take advantage of truly world class resources. This is easy. As an undergrad, I simply e-mailed professors who had research interests that matched my own, and eventually got a spot at Lawrence Berkeley National Labs. So, in short, Berkeley's lecture classes are large, impersonal, and probably no different from many other schools. The mistake that students make is assuming "class" is all there is to education. For grad school, publications/research experience/recommendations can make or break an application</p>

<ol>
<li>MBA Programs</li>
</ol>

<p>The undergraduate business program at Berkeley is prestigious and competitive. It is unusual because it is a "two year major." If you want major in business (Haas), you need to take pre-requisite courses your first two years. During your second year, you apply to Haas. Based on your GPA, application essay, etc. you will either be accepted or rejected from the program. If you are not accepted, you should have plans for a backup major. </p>

<p>If you're interested in doing investment banking or consulting straight out of college, a business major is a good idea. However, if you want to combine engineering and business. It is better to do an engineering bachelors, work for several years, then do an MBA. MBA programs do not are about what you majored in, and if you majored in business, much of the MBA material will be review.</p>

<p>Feel free to email me if you have anymore questions</p>

5

<p>Go to Berkeley! I was not very knowledgeable of many colleges before beginning the college application process and i wish I knew that Berkeley existed. I am a Rice student and though I do not regret coming here because I have met some great people- I would have probably loved Berkeley more because of its location and size of the student body.</p>

<p>In terms of academics, I don't think you are going to be unhappy at either school so I think your decision has to come down to other factors like social life and location. I would argue that Berkeley is better than Rice in both areas.</p>

6

<p>Berkeley is an excellent school, but in the aspect of undergraduate experience, it cannot compete with Rice.</p>

<p>Berkeley's main prestige draws from its graduate schools and the undergrad classes are largely impersonal and large. My friend visited Berkeley (he was accepted) and hated the prevalence of TA's and the lack of personal attention from professors. He ended up going to WashU.</p>

<p>If I were you, I'd go to Rice because it offers one of the best undergraduate experiences in the country--Rice is not defined by its graduate schools like Berkeley is and really Rice's grad schools do not have an overwhelming presence like Berkeley and Harvard's do, so all the faculty attention and resources and facilities are lavished onto the undergrads.</p>

<p>Rice is completely undergraduate-oriented, whereas Berkeley I will argue is very much grad student-oriented, like Harvard.</p>

7

<p>Hmm since we're comparing Rice with other schools with significant grad schools, which one do you guys think is better - Rice or Georgetown?</p>

8

<p>what major are you aiming for??</p>

9

<p>history with pre-med.</p>

10

<p>rice has 90% premed acceptance rate. and the history--->med school route isn't uncommon-a girl from my hometown is at rice doing that exact path. plus rice is located next to the texas medical center, the largest medical complex in the world, perfect for research opportunities.</p>

11

<p>Rice ranks <em>slightly</em> higher than does Cal. Both universities suffer from a poverty of out of state students... though Rice is working to remedy that. The Bay Area is unbeatable; it's very possibly the best place to live in the whole country. That said, Berkeley/Oakland is the worst section of the Bay Area. Rice definitely has a suburban feel, while Cal is as urban as you can get. Rice has a much nicer campus. It's so clean. Cal is grimy. I think Cal is more prestigious internationally, though that prestige stems from its graduate programs, which are stellar. Re: grad school admissions. Every admissions officer will be familiar with both schools. You will probably get better recommendations at Rice, simply because your professors will know you better. I'm a humanist, but from what I know about grad school in the natural sciences, your admission can hinge on your research experience. Your ability to get sumer research positions/fellowships is dependent on your relationships with the faculty. </p>

<p>You cannot make a bad choice here. I would go with Rice, simply because you'll have more contact with the faculty... plus, no earthquakes!</p>

12

<p>Another thing to note - Rice is cheaper. Yes, it is.</p>

13

<p>Berkeley/Oakland the worst part of the Bay Area? I beg to differ. I may be biased, since I live here, but Berkeley is a wonderful town. Great weather, amazing food, interesting people, lots to do. I can't disagree with you that the Cal campus is a bit "grimy" compared to Rice, but that's par for the course for a school in an urban area. These are two very different schools you're comparing--one urban, one suburban (even if it's in Houston), one small, one huge. There's lots to like or dislike about both, but my guess is for most people, if location were the most important factor, Cal (Berkeley) would be their choice.</p>

14

<p>
[quote]
That said, Berkeley/Oakland is the worst section of the Bay Area. Rice definitely has a suburban feel, while Cal is as urban as you can get. Rice has a much nicer campus. It's so clean. Cal is grimy. I think Cal is more prestigious internationally, though that prestige stems from its graduate programs, which are stellar.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Patently untrue. And the Berkeley campus is grimy only if you look at the Telegraph Avenue side of it (i.e. 10% of it). For an international student especially, Berkeley wins the environmental question hands down over Rice.</p>

<p>What may play in Rice's favor are finances and finances alone. Even the "big and impersonal" slams against Berkeley or it's "all taught by TAs" don't hold up when one compares actual numbers.</p>

<p>Rice may ultimately be the more sensible financial decision, but Berkeley is likely to be the place you'll find you really want to be.</p>

15

<p>
[quote]
What may play in Rice's favor are finances and finances alone. Even the "big and impersonal" slams against Berkeley or it's "all taught by TAs" don't hold up when one compares actual numbers.</p>

<p>Rice may ultimately be the more sensible financial decision, but Berkeley is likely to be the place you'll find you really want to be.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Wow, huge Berkeley bias much? And where are your actual numbers? All those slams are its reputation. It's not like this is something new that you've never heard before. Berkeley is large and impersonal for undergrads, that's just the way it is. It's grad school-oriented. Same with Harvard. Does Berkeley have the same 5:1 student-faculty ratio that Rice has? I don't think so. The TA's do seem to abound at Berkeley, even current students there say so.</p>

<p>How in the world would YOU know where the OP <em>really</em> wants to go? Did you ever think, gasp, people actually go to Rice NOT just because of the money? Oh wait, that's probably just crazy talk, right?</p>

<p>
[quote]
For an international student especially, Berkeley wins the environmental question hands down over Rice.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>What environmental question? Have you ever actually visited Rice? It's a really nice and lush place, park-like even, and completely different than the rest of Houston. My friend who lives there says he doesn't even really consider Rice to be part of Houston because it's just so different.</p>

<p>I haven't seen Berkeley so obviously I can't speak for that environment, but the place that Rice is in is probably the nicest place in Houston.</p>

16

<p>^^</p>

<p>Just calling it like I saw it. Others are free to voice their opinions and will. The ideal thing would be for the poster to visit both and then make up his or her mind. I am absolutely biased in my presentation. I own up to that completely. And others on this board are too.</p>

17

<p>It's understandable that you have bias, but when you don't even back up your argument, then that's a credible problem in itself. You can't just throw out statements of "oh that doesn't hold up when you compare the actual numbers" without even giving those numbers and simply demanding people believe you. That just undermines your argument completely.</p>

<p>This is the Rice forum, you have to understand. And I sincerely don't believe everyone is so financially shallow that everyone at Rice goes there purely because of "finances," although that is a big factor in people's decisions to matriculate to schools.</p>

<p>Just like a lot of people attend Berkeley because it's a great deal for a state school (if they're California residents), I believe there will be lots of students who actually like Berkeley in spite of the financial situation.</p>

<p>I just don't understand how you think everyone comes to Rice simply because of finances and that that defines the entire university and its experience. How narrow-minded.</p>

18

<p>Whoa, I never said all people would only go to Rice for finances alone; I was unrepentantly pushing my biased view, as I thought others had on this board.</p>

<p>God no. I actually think Rice is one of the best unis in the US and particularly in the field the person wants to go into -- though they said they might change.</p>

<p>Someone said that Oakland and Berkeley are the worst parts of the Bay Area, suggesting to me they don't know the Bay Area if they think that or that they like sterile, suburban locations. There are many parts of the Bay Area that are awful and there are many parts of Oakland and Berkeley that are amazing.</p>

<p>Regarding the stats and not backing up my claim, I will warrant that Berkeley isn't going to stack up to Rice in terms of faculty/staff ratio, but on the other hand, the mantra that Berkeley is full of huge lecture classes is way overplayed. If I were less lazy, I'd show the stats.</p>

<p>Having lived overseas, it is my sincere belief that in general most people coming from elsewhere would find bigger, and more cosmopolitan Berkeley more to their taste. I'll admit that I simply loathe Houston, though I have heard nice things about the Rice campus (which I confess I have never visited). But if they end up choosing Rice, I'd say that they made a damned good choice. The person has a pretty good set of options. I had no interest in knocking Rice, but as I said I was calling a cosmopolitan preference for a place like Berkeley as I saw it. I would not give the same advice to others; I would suggest as the best strategy for one to visit.</p>