<p>What's the atmosphere at Rice like? I've always known that it's a great school, but I've never really considered it because I'm not a fan of the South (no offense). I'm looking for more of a New Englandish experience. However, if it's not too too conservative and the surrounding city isn't too dreadful, I would really like to give it a second look because of the Shepperd School of Music. Thanks.</p>
<p>Rice is definitely not conservative, and it is located in the prettiest part of Houston next door to the Museum District and the Medical Center.</p>
<p>not conservative but not New Englandish....hot and flat....residential system....bright kids...check it out!</p>
<p>If you like Stanford's atmosphere,you'll like Rice just as well.</p>
<p>Houston--hot, humid, no seasons---constant summer</p>
<p>Oh, puh...leaze! I grew up in Md, went to college in Pittsburgh, and have lived in Houston for 20 years now. Yes, it's definitely hot and humid here from June through September. But think about what months you'd be in Houston if you went to Rice (late August through early May). That means it will be hot for about 6 weeks ... 8 weeks tops. Then you'll enjoy beautiful spring-like weather, with intermittent cold snaps through January. It does get cold now and then where there's highs in the 40's, but that usually lasts a few days. February and March typically have beautiful, sunny weather in the 60's and 70's. By the time you leave for the summer it will be before the summer heat.</p>
<p>That's really the way to do it. Conversely, when my son goes off to college in 2 years he might end up somewhere like Boston, Chicago or Ithaca -- he'll enjoy a few weeks of nice fall weather and then for the rest of the time it will be extreme winter weather until he comes home to Houston in the summer for our heat and humidity. Think about it.</p>