<p>slik,
IMO, Rice would place just behind Stanford, Duke, Northwestern, Vanderbilt and Notre Dame in a ranking of colleges with the best combinations of great academics, great social life, and great athletics. </p>
<p>Great academics at Rice? Without a doubt.</p>
<p>Great social life at Rice? Surely, though not sure if it is as strong and vibrant as others listed.</p>
<p>Great athletic life? Here, the differences are clear. Outside of baseball and the energy that brings to campus, Rice operates on a scale more like the Ivies or Georgetown (ex-basketball). </p>
<p>For students who want the full monty collegiate experience of top academics, broad and vibrant social life and competitive/nationally relevant athletic life, IMO Stanford, Duke, Northwestern, Vanderbilt and Notre Dame are the best alternatives.</p>