Rice vs. UChicago

<p>I love both schools and am going to apply to either Rice ED or Chicago EA. I know a ton about both schools so I'm not looking for information about them; I'm looking for fair opinions. I can't make up my mind. I think my likelihood of acceptance should be similar at either college. I want to double major in econ and philosophy. I am a closet nerd and an intellectual but I enjoy sports and fun activities. Please give me advice (and hopefully try to be unbiased!) and please explain not only which school i should choose but in your opinion why i should choose this particular school.</p>

<p>If you can't make up your mind, it doesn't make sense to apply to Rice ED, unless you're the kind of person who will never think twice about another school (but this post proves you are that kind of person).</p>

<p>I say do non-binding EA at Chicago (no reason not to) and RD to Rice. If you can't decide right now, don't decide right now-- your opinions and reflections might change once the admissions offices make their decisions. You also might end p choosing another school. You don't know yet.</p>

<p>Unless somebody says something to you that makes you fall in love completely and exclusively with Rice, don't do ED.</p>

<p>And I say this as somebody who only applied to the U of C and got in EA but who would have applied to a few more schools (including Rice!) if her parents didn't think the "other schools" were too far away.</p>

<p>Have you visited both schools?</p>

<p>yes for rice
chicago i will in 6 weeks</p>

<p>If you can't make up your mind, it doesn't make sense to apply to Rice ED, unless you're the kind of person who will never think twice about another school (but this post proves you are that kind of person).</p>

<p>*I say do non-binding EA at Chicago (no reason not to) and RD to Rice. If you can't decide right now, don't decide right now-- your opinions and reflections might change once the admissions offices make their decisions. You also might end p choosing another school. You don't know yet.</p>

<p>Unless somebody says something to you that makes you fall in love completely and exclusively with Rice, don't do ED.</p>

<p>And I say this as somebody who only applied to the U of C and got in EA but who would have applied to a few more schools (including Rice!) if her parents didn't think the "other schools" were too far away.*</p>

<p>Completely agreed.</p>

<p>bumperty bump</p>

<p>I had the same dilemma but I visited Rice's campus and really really liked it so that is where I am going. I haven't been to chicago's campus but I hear it isn't in a nice part of chicago and my friends that went weren't impressed. Also, in general I think I would be more comfortable/have fun at Rice compared to Uchi. Thats just my opinion, I'm applying Rice ED.</p>

<p>thx phade. i also really really really liked Rice when i visited it. i'm not sure if i'm gonna like uchicago campus as much.</p>

<p>I don't know much about Rice and have never visited it, so I can speak only about Chicago. My daughter, who is now going into her third year at Chicago,was interested in Rice and Chicago when applying to College. She ruled out Rice without going to see it because of the distance from home. She applied EA to Chicago. What she liked about Chicago was the gorgeous campus, it is a national botanic garden, the fabulous gothic buildings, and its great academics, especially the core curriculum. It really isn't in a bad neighborhood, in fact it is quite wealthy on two sides( although there are some dicey neighborhoods near by on two sides of campus which are separated from the school by parks). The school is quirky and will not appeal to everyone, but it has certainly changed a lot in the last few years, attracting a greater diversity of students. There are great division three sports, a huge new arts center being built with a greater emphasis on arts and music on campus, and tons of student clubs and activities. And of course you have the city of Chicago, which is a spectacular place with tons of things to do. I would recommend that you visit Chicago and try to stay overnight on campus before making a decision. It may not be the place for you, or you might adore it and want to apply EA. It is certainly worth the visit based on what you are saying here. Otherwise you will never know and it might be in the back of your mind later on. I know that happened to me years ago when I went to college and I now wish I had checked out a few more schools before making a final decision. Lots of luck.</p>

<p>Chicago is the best university in the world, that is, if you want a liberal education. </p>

<p>I should warn you, the economics program here (at Rice) is not the best, or so I've heard. Philosophy is supposed to be pretty good. "Philosophical Gourmet" (The</a> Philosophical Gourmet Report 2006 - 2008 :: Overall Rankings) ranks Rice's philosophy program 50th, while Chicago's is ranked 20th. These are the PhD rankings, of course, but they give you some idea of the quality of the program. "P.G." does, however, mention Rice by name as a good school for good undergraduate instruction in philosophy. You should also remember that Chicago has one of the best economics programs. If you intend to do graduate work in philosophy, you should think about NYU...</p>

<p>I gave Chicago very close consideration, but the curriculum was too intense. At Rice you can complete the distribution requirements without even trying, really. In terms of the campus, Rice is much handsomer than Chicago. Fake gothic is cool and all, but we've got spanish moss and spanish tiles.</p>