<p>So I've been admitted at Rice and UChicago, visited both campuses, and have been stalking many threads on CC both about Rice and about UChicago, but I still can't decide! </p>
<p>I'm from WA and I'll probably be majoring in some sort of humanities/social science (psych, sociology, international studies, language, literature, etc), just not sure yet. I plan on going to grad school, but what kind of grad school I have no idea. In this respect I think I'll get an advantage at UChicago. I've heard a lot of people say it's a good place to go if you don't know exactly what you want to do, and also many humanities/social science departments at UChicago are phenomenal. Rice has all-around great departments, including in the humanities/social sciences, but I'm not sure if I want to go to a school that's more known for engineering/sciences/architecture, where the humanities/social sciences are great but not outstanding the way that they are at UChicago. Moreover, UChicago has the Core Curriculum, Doc Films, the intellectual environment, more prestige than Rice (not a big factor, but it kinda matters to my parents), and so many other wonderful things I'm attracted to.</p>
<p>However, I'm a little intimated by UChicago's intensity. I'm really into philosophy and speculating about abstract matters; I think I would really enjoy the deep conversations UChicago is known for. However, I have trouble expressing my thoughts out loud/thinking on my feet (I'm more of a writer and reflector), so I don't know if I would be able to keep up with everyone else. And also of course the sheer workload/quarter system of UChicago, where there will definitely be considerable stress and staying up doing work. I go to a super intense competitive high school and I feel like I'm a little burned out. I don't want to repeat that in my college experience. There's also a possibility, though, that even though UChicago will be work-heavy it will be a different kind of work from high school, because a lot of high school work has been drudgery and cramming--not so much the kind of real intellectual exploration I'm looking for. (But then again, I might end up cramming a lot at UChicago, and I really don't think cramming is conducive to learning at all...)</p>
<p>I'm attracted to Rice because of the greater balance between learning and relaxation; I really think I might need something a little more laid-back for college. I also love love love the residential college system and the way all the staff/faculty really take care of you and are friends with you. Like I mentioned before I'm somewhat of an introvert and have difficulty expressing myself to strangers, especially intimidating ones, but I think Rice will help me in that arena due to the close community it will provide me with--more so than at UChicago, whose administration I've heard can be a little cold at times. I really enjoyed the student body when I visited--smart, quirky, fun, super friendly and warm, very involved intellectually but also just well-rounded, nice, humble people.</p>
<p>Also, Rice is 20K cheaper. My family can afford both schools, but whenever I start thinking about why I might put UChicago over Rice, I have to ask myself, is it really worth paying 20K more?</p>
<p>Most other factors are pretty equal, I think. Research opportunities, study abroad, good professors, food, city opportunities. UChicago has a slight edge in academic rigor. I realize climate/weather is hugely different, and that can affect the attitude/culture of the student population too--but I don't really find myself preferring one over the other. I don't mind having snow; I don't mind having humidity. I've lived in both extremes in my lifetime already. UChicago's campus was generally quieter and perhaps gloomier when I visited, but I don't mind that; I'm not cheery and happy-go-lucky all the time, and I appreciate the chance to escape to peace and solitude every so often (it's back to the whole introversion thing). But I'm also known by friends as being really talkative and enthusiastic when I feel like it--I'm the "bubbly" one in my high school friend circle. That's why I feel like the friendly, enthusiastic atmosphere at Rice would fit me as well.</p>
<p>Sorry for long post, but I've been doing so much introspection, and it seems to be only getting harder and harder to decide! (You may be able to note that I also have a tendency to overanalyze xD)</p>