Rice vs GA Tech

College Majors Engineering Majors
1

<p>I asked this question in another thread, but I thought I might get more responses by posting it this way. My son is in the home stretch of making his decision and I would love to hear your thoughts about his two options. I will give you some background so you understand what type of student he is, not to brag.</p>

<p>Will be receiving an IB diploma; GPA = 4.0 UW, 5.3 W; ACT = 35, 36 on Math; SAT = 2280, 800 on Math; SAT IIs - 800 Math, Physics, Chem; 12 APs to date of which 10 were 5s, 2 were 4s. He is a very serious student, nerdy, math team type. Very self-motivated.</p>

<p>Accepted to GA Tech, Rice, UFlorida, WPI, Harvey Mudd. Not accepted to Caltech or Olin. Currently wants to be an Engineer focusing on computers.</p>

<p>He has narrowed his choices to GA Tech & Rice. I've read dozens of posts about both schools, we have visited both for two days each and son has sat in two or three classes at each. Money is approx the same at both schools. Please share your thoughts. Thank you.</p>

2

<p>I believe Georgia Tech would be a much better choice. </p>

<p>…he should have applied to Stanford, Berkeley, and MIT with grades like that!!</p>

3

<p>Rice would be a better choice, since our engineering program is so strong. Rice is also more prestigious which will mean better future employment.</p>

4

<p>GT has the more prestigious engineering program</p>

<p>Rice has the more prestigious university overall</p>

<p>Rice has the much smaller classes and nice studying environment than GT</p>

<p>This is a Rice winner for the same cost…</p>

5

<p>For engineering I would do Georgia Tech, for almost anything else, Rice.</p>

6

<p>Thank you for your thoughts and comments. Son decided on Rice mainly b/c of the residential college system. Being in a small, family-like environment is important to him. He was reluctant to give up certain aspects of Tech (co-op, ease of travel to FL, ranking of Engineering programs), but you can have everything.</p>

7

<p>Rice is an awesome school. Welcome to Texas!</p>

8

<p>I think it would depend on his actual major. Both schools are good with computational science/engineering.</p>

<p>Of course, I had to throw in the “computational” in there :-)</p>

9

<p>Congrats to your son, I hope that he will be very happy.</p>

10

<p>Congrats, OP! Those are great schools! My DS made the same choice between those schools, though initially he planed to major in physics, and ultimately changed to Mech E. Had a WONDERFUL experience at Rice. Tech is a great school, but students often don’t report the same feel or overall positive college experience as those at Rice. Tech is often described as more competitive and cut throat, whereas Rice is more laid back (less intense) and congenial. Enjoy!</p>

11

<p>Son initially accepted Rice’s offer. He was on wait list for his first choice school, Olin. When he was accepted, he decided to go to Olin. Rice was a VERY close second.</p>