<p>I don’t think you can go wrong with either. Personal preference and secondary factors then…</p>
<p>" One is also the butt of jokes."
Trust me, Cornell wouldn’t want you either.
And for all those who think Houston is a major city…I’ve lived here for 15 years. IT. SUCKS. Weather SUCKS, I think I completely prefer the cold than the nasty humidity that occurs ALL THE TIME. Texas is completely bipolar. There is NOTHING to do in Houston. My family is made of money, but I still find weekends where there is absolutely nothing to do in Houston. It’ hardly a city. You need to take a car everywhere you go and drive long-ass distances.
And at every school you go to, there are going to be happy and unhappy people.
I know people that went to Rice and they’re not happy. A lot of them are teachers…and most of them have to stay down here in Texas for jobs. Do you really want to live in Texas the rest of your life?
And as to weather…it is not nice. Nice weather is California. Houston, Texas is not nice weather. Whoever tells you that is a lie. Also, you should be studying most of the time in both schools, so you should consider academics more that weather. Rice campus is small, and you may get over it in a couple months. Cornell Campus is huge, and you’ll feel that youre part of something big. Whichever one is your preference. As for academics, Cornell will prepare you for pretty much everything, and guess what? Future employers do know that and recognize that.
Not trying to be mean, but do not get swayed by Houston, because the city is nootttt that great. 
gl</p>
<p>Wow, I usually avoid confrontation and I hate to bump an old thread, but this guy that is putting down Houston by saying “it’s hardly a city” must be blind. I agree the weather is bipolar and humid, but there are more than enough things to do in Houston that make up for it. Rice even offers their students free admission to surrounding museums and free metro/light rail passes to explore the city. Cornell may be nice too, but apparently they’ve got some stuck up individuals attending their school. After all, who flagrantly admits that they are from a “family made of money”? </p>
<p>The two campuses are very different. There are pros and cons to both.</p>
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<p>As opposed to Ithaca? </p>
<p>■■■■■</p>
<p>Anyone wnt ot go out on a limb and guess where the poster in post #42 goes to school? Hint-- it starts with a “C” and ends with an “L”</p>
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<p>Or where he probably didn’t get in? (Starts with an “R” and ends in an “E”)</p>
<p>^ ROSE (Hulman)? ;)</p>
<p>The weather is a bit bipolar, but I don’t really mind wearing shorts in December. Nothing to do in Houston? You have Rice Village, Miller Outdoor Theatre (FREE concerts, operas, msuicals), the Museum District (18 museums within a 1.5 mile radius), Reliant Center, Toyota Center, Minute Miad, Montrose area, Midtown, Theatre District…all of this within 10-15 mins of Rice campus. And Rice provides many discounts, if not free, tickets to events all nearby. I find most people in Houston, and Texas, to be happy. Why not live in Texas? Houston is one of the top places for recent graduates to work. Who says you should be studying most of your time in college? Most of my learning happened outside of class at Rice. My college experience there was amazing and it was because of people, the culture, the atmosphere, the traditions, events, the bonding, I can go on, but not enought time. The academics were just the icing on the cake. Rice campus is small, but that’s what makes it special. You’re in a huge city, but you feel like you are at a home, not a school. Wouldn’t a huge campus make you feel like you are just another number? I can guarantee employers know Rice, 'nuff said.</p>