The title says it all really. Unless I get off the wait list at either Harvard or Dartmouth, I will be attending one of these three universities. Although I’m not sure that I want to be an engineer, I am stronger at math and science than I am at social science and the humanities. I was admitted to Natural Sciences at Rice, the College of Arts and Sciences at Vanderbilt, and the School of Arts and Sciences at Tufts. I am currently leaning towards Rice. Although Vanderbilt is undeniably the most prestigious of the three schools, I feel that Rice is stronger and STEM and more focused on undergrad. Any input would be appreciated.
I disagree that Vanderbilt is more prestigious than Rice. I would place them on equal footing. I do agree that Rice is stronger in STEM.
What do you want to study? You weren’t admitted to engineering at any of the schools so I’m kind of confused by the “I’m not sure that i want to be an engineer” statement.
You are fortunate to have 3 great choices. You can’t go wrong with any of them. I have a daughter at Rice, and I attended Vandy for law school. I cannot give you any advice about Tufts, but I’m sure other posters will chime in.
At Rice you apply to and are admitted to one of the schools, but you are free take any classes you like and to change schools. You can major in anything you want (except architecture or music which require specific admission) and do not have to declare your major until the end of your sophomore year. Many students double major or change their majors. There are many premed and engineering students at Rice. Rice is very strong in STEM.
Rice does not have Greek life, but has the residential college system instead. Students are assigned to a residential college for all 4 years. Greek life is fairly prevalent at Vanderbilt. Both schools are rated very high for happy students and quality of life.
All three schools are very prestigious, have beautiful campuses, and are located in big cities. Tufts would have the coldest weather and Rice the hottest. Vandy has a nice change of seasons and is especially beautiful in the fall.
Rice does not have a law school or med school like Vanderbilt does. Rice is located adjacent to the Houston medical center. Vanderbilt has its excellent hospital on campus. Rice and Vanderbilt are located in very nice parts of their respective cities very near the main city parks and museums. Nashville has the country music/recording industry while Houston has energy companies, and NASA.
If possible, you should attend Owl Days at Rice and admitted student events at Vandy and Tufts. If all 3 schools are equally affordable for you, go with your gut as to which one is the best fit.
Rice seems like a great fit academically. There is no barrier there to pursuing an engineering major if you decide to. I agree with bouders that it’s at least as prestigious as Vanderbilt, and more undergrad-focused. Personally I am partial to Rice’s residential college system as opposed to the prominence of Greek life at Vandy, but that’s a matter of personal preference so YMMV.
If you were looking for more of a liberal-artsy, life-of-the-mind kind of vibe combined with strong STEM, then I would say Tufts might have the edge. (Not that the others aren’t intellectual, but I see Tufts as a little more toward the learning-for-learning’s-sake kind of ethos, where Rice and Vandy tilt a little more toward the practical and pre-professional… though of course both values are present in varying proportions at all three schools, and they’re not mutually exclusive.) But as a STEM-tilted student, you would find your people in abundance at Rice.
There’s no bad choice here. You’re not mentioning cost, so I’m assuming they’re financially on a more-or-less equal footing?
I want the opportunity study engineering but I don’t want to be stuck in an engineering only curriculum if it turns out that I’m not suited for it. I guess that’s what I was trying to say. Financially speaking all three options are the same for me.
Well, there’s no worry about being “stuck” in any major at Rice - that’s definitely one of the pluses about the school. The only concern there is planning your course sequences well so that you keep options open and don’t have trouble graduating on time if you shift gears. STEM advising is very good, though, both through official channels and via peer-mentoring within the residential colleges, so you would get lots of good advice on how to plan your early course work to keep the options open that you want.
I would be very wary of Tufts if I were you. They have a net positive attrition rate in engineering (more people transfer in than out).
They have been accused of luring unsuspecting liberal arts majors into engineering and then brainwashing them into thinking that they can save the world through engineering.
In fact, they are such engineering zealots that they went so far as to invent the Lego Mindstorms Robots and set up a worldwide program designed to lure elementary school kids into engineering!
If you go there, there is no resistance, they will convert you into an engineer 
You like Rice. It’s got a very good reputation. Choose Rice.
Visited Rice on Owl days and it was beautiful and the
Professors were amazing.
Rice or Vandy are great choices. My kid was accepted at both and considered both. Ended up at Vandy.
I would put zero weight on prestigiosity. All three schools have about the same street cred, but street cred means little frankly. If the money is equal, just pick the school you like better.
Bigger vs. smaller school? Is the Rice rez college system appealing to you or not?
FYI, Vandy has been rolling out a similar system but that won’t be 100% realized for several more years. So you might or might not have that experience at Vandy – just luck of the housing draw.
Vandy greek life is fairly muted. Especially for girls; it is a bigger deal for guys.
Location? Vibe? Weather? Food? Sports?
Rice is clearly more of an engineering STEM type school. And due to its size and rez colleges, has a bit more of a liberal arts college feel.
As noted above, Vandy and Rice are typically top 10 every year for happiest students.
First world problem. Good luck.
I am crossing Tufts off my list. While I’m definitely leaning towards Rice, I think have to actually visit Rice and Vandy before I make a decision. Thanks for the input everyone.
This is not true. Maybe its the most recognized name, but it is NOT the most prestigious. And who cares about that minutae anyway? These are 3 excellent schools! If you love Rice (my S did) and its affordable, then you are done. Go owls!