The window of opportunity is closing, and I’m still having trouble between Rice and UVA. I don’t know what I want to major in, but I’m considering business, physics, astronomy, and statistics as possible choices. I’m looking for a school where I can have fun, but also receive a strong undergraduate education and grow as a person (currently pretty quiet and socially awkward).
UVA Pros:
In-state tuition
McIntire Business
Lots to do in Charlottesville
Will have friends already
Echols
UVA Cons:
Too close to home
Physics isn’t good
McIntire is not guaranteed
Rice Pros:
Amazing weather
Beautiful campus
Undergraduate focus
More one on one attention
Strong physics department
Rice Cons;
Tuition
No business major
Heard people are very reserved and weird (not sure if there’s much room for growth if that’s the case)
The trouble I see with possibly going into physics is that I would probably end up going for a PhD, and I don’t see myself going to school for that long. Physicists also don’t seem to have many job prospects, though that isn’t a big concern for me right now. Any advice?
I am a Rice grad and i feel i had the best time of my life at rice … i majored in Civil Engineering and then went to medical school … the residential college system is an amazing entity … very few schools have such a wonderful housing / social system …
houston is an awesome city … so much to do and so many restaurants to enjoy …
in-state tuition vs. private school tuition … tough to argue …
but if you can handle the finances, go to rice …
there is something to be said about going outside your comfort zone …
and no, the students are not weird … they are just very smart and very creative …
PS - i now have a son in high school who is looking at rice as one of his top schools …
I can guarantee you that people are not reserved and weird. I know there’s no evidence I can really show you, but believe me. In fact, I think the social atmosphere at Rice is one of the best in the country, because they residential college system creates awesome strong communities without the exclusion or elitism that can come with Greek systems. For someone who is quiet and awkward, the orientation week is brilliantly structured to avoid feelings of loneliness or awkward first encounters that discourage making friends. You come out of the first week feeling right at home.
I think physicists have decent job prospects, but maybe not as well as some engineering majors. You’d have to minor in business, though. However, if you end game for business in an MBA, then majoring in business for undergrad isn’t that important.