<p>Owl … great point! My D (35 ACT, 4.0 unweighted GPA, and 1550 SAT (CR+5)) is NOT applying to ANY of the “pretentious” (her words) IVY schools or the other northeast highly ranked LACs. She IS applying to Rice and is not leaving any worries behind for that decision. We’re not from the northeast, and I can understand the pressure and the culture and the history of growing up thinking that you have to attend HYP, Tufts, Williams, etc., but being transplanted in the Midwest from the west coast … well, we just do NOT have those bags to carry. Rice is #1 on her list, and she’ll be honored if she’s accepted … and we can find a way to get her there financially.</p>
<p>Bump … oops, that’s 1550 (CR+M) …</p>
<p>Owl2014 - was that really necessary? I think we should present our case and let people decide for themselves. By attacking Rice, the other party looks worse in comparison. By defending Rice and attacking back - the same can be said for us.</p>
<p>The merits of each university will speak for themselves. We try to help prospective students on this forum by highlighting what makes Rice different, not comparing it and degrading other universities.</p>
<p>By your last statement, “Everybody knows that Tufts is in an awfully boring town” you clearly have shown that you do not know what you are talking about. Boston is an extraordinarily vibrant and happening city. As is Houston, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco etc… Once again, the admissions process is NOT zero sum. To each his/her own. And there are many good schools.</p>
<p>Now, please stop the bickering. it is making Rice look bad.</p>
<p>Dad2ILD - I am glad that your daughter considers Rice her first choice. Rice is a great school as are many others. It appears that Rice fits her the best (from what you have said). It really depends on what you want to major in, and where you are from. As Raebanging said, Rice is a better science and engineering school, while Tufts has good liberal and visual arts and humanities.</p>
<p>Is she applying ED?</p>
<p>I wasn’t making fun of, or insulting Rice. I simply said, the same factors applied to both schools. If Tufts is an “ivy reject” school then so is Rice… I don’t happen to think Tufts is an Ivy reject school. </p>
<p>As I said in a previous post our overlaps are the “lesser ivy’s” and other top notch schools like Georgetown, Washington U etc. When I say they are our overlaps, that means we compete against them on an even playing field, so by definition Brown, or Dartmouth or Cornell is frequently turned down for Tufts when students get accepted into both. To be clear all of those schools plus Tufts and Rice is most often turned down for Harvard when someone gets into both. So I’ll say again, I don’t think Tufts is an Ivy Reject school, but if Tufts is, so is Rice. </p>
<p>I’m not calling names, as others have called Tufts names, just pointing out that if the definition applies to Tufts (and Brown, Cornell etc), it also applies to Rice.</p>
<p>As for strong programs we have many. In the social sciences - International Relations is exceptionally strong and there is an international flavor to our entire school, in the Arts - joint programs with Museum of Fine Arts and New England Conservatory and many alums with senior directing and producing roles in hollywood. We also have excellent undergraduate programs in the sciences, including pre-med. </p>
<p>What I have found in this string is many ad hominem attacks against my school and me…calling me a fool is just another example. </p>
<p>I have never said anything about the mason dixon line in any posting at any time, lived in Texas and other parts of the south for many years and enjoyed it. Thats the problem when the focus is on trying to trash someone else rather than boosting your own school, facts get lost.</p>
<p>I have also lived in Boston, and found it to quite a fun college town. We have more college students than any other city in America. There are great beaches nearby in Cape Cod, Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard and mountains a couple hours away for skiiing or hiking. Montreal is less than a half days drive. New York is about 4 hours…</p>
<p>To be clear, I think Houston has much to offer, as does Boston. </p>
<p>Again, if you or anyone else is trying to help attract students to Rice, I doubt you are helping when you spend time insulting other schools. Students want to be somewhere positive, with other nice people… think about it.</p>
<p>Antarius … Thanks, and no, she’s applying RD. If financing were not an issue, then ED would have been great, but she’s getting some amazing offers from many schools, which would have been largely shut down if she had to commit to ED. If she were more “borderline” then the extra benefit of ED chances would be great, but since she’s in that top 1%, we’ve chosen to let the cards fall where they may. Remembering that this is “just” undergrad, so she WILL be attending a GOOD school … no question of that … but the real DEAL will be when she has to chose a grad school. She gets it. Thanks. We ALL love Rice, so we are certainly hoping for a good outcome there. She has her Alumni Interview tomorrow!</p>
<p>Dad2ILD - great. I applied RD as well, and things worked out great in terms of admission and finances. From what you have said, your daughter has excellent stats and stands a very good chance to get in and attend Rice. I wish you and her luck.</p>
<p>tuftsfan - I have already said that I agree with you. Both schools are excellent. Most people here seem to agree that mudslinging is not helping either school. Owl2014 calling you names reflects poorly on everyone - nothing we can do about that.</p>
<p>I respectfully recommend that you take the high road on this and let it go. We all know that Tufts is a good school and that is reflected in their ranking. we know Rice is a good school for the same reason. Naysayers will be naysayers - the key is letting them be just that, and nothing more.</p>
<p>I think tuftsfan may have only been talking about Medford when he said that Tufts was in a really boring town…</p>
<p>Jshain 5:20PM</p>
<p>Somerville where half of the Tufts campus is located is considered to be an extension of Cambridge and lots of fun. Tufts subway stop is Davis Sq in somerville. Along the 4 stops between Davis Sq. and Boston is Harvard and MIT. As we know Boston is tons of fun. Cambridge is also much fun with plentiful nightlife and much to do. Insulting other schools, doesn’t help Rice attract students. Talk about the many positive things in Houston and the Gulf region. Why try to insult Tufts?</p>
<p>Antarius… hadn’t seen your response when I made my late afternoon post. I’m trying to keep my responses on the “high road”. But also want to correct impressions that might reflect badly about my school - Tufts. </p>
<p>I do think very highly of Rice, Houston and the south in general. Just don’t want my school being insulted without it being corrected because young people do take away impressions from these sites.</p>
<p>"I do think very highly of Rice, Houston and the south in general. Just don’t want my school being insulted without it being corrected because young people do take away impressions from these sites. "</p>
<p>True. But fighting tooth and nail reflects poorly on both parties. I would hope that people would not take away things about Tufts from the Rice site and vice versa.</p>
<p>Tufts is ranked well by US News. It is clearly not a bad school.</p>
<p>And yes, Somerville is awesome. I have spent/spend a lot of time there. Up Highland Ave a little ways.</p>
<p>Don’t know why I thought it was in Medford. I should know more about the geography of the Boston burbs, since my D is a junior at Boston College. She got waitlisted at Rice btw which I thought was pretty good considering she never visited the school or attended any college fairs locally.</p>
<p>It is in Medford/Somerville. </p>
<p>Regarding Rice, I got in without ever visiting or anything. The only reason I went to Rice was because of the money they gave me (makes me sound like Cam newton :D). But I wasn’t living in the country at the time - so that might have factored into it. </p>
<p>Admissions are so finicky sometimes.</p>
<p>Another thing about Rice that I thought was really unique and added a personal touch was a follow up phone call from a Director of Admissions, after my D had her alumnus interview, making sure everything went okay from my D’s perspective and if she had any other questions that they could answer. One more example of exceeding expectations!</p>
<p>Hi! I am the starter of this thread hehe.
I was soo surprised to see much more feedbacks, so thanks again! This really proves once again how much Rice ppl love their school ;). I don’t think I have seen this much love for school in any other college. That being said, I better get into Rice and enjoy all the things mentioned above! Can’t wait.</p>
<p>sweet!
though i have one question about the RICE president. someone mentioned his being unpopular,in what ways is he such? And how’s the battle to save the radio tower? My alumni interviewer mentioned it during my interview. xD</p>
<p>p.s. 13 days more until ED announcements! xD</p>
<p>Leebron unpopular? Inconceivable!</p>
<p>Kwally - Leebron has made some policy changes that are unpopular with certain groups on campus. Such as selling KTRU. </p>
<p>Either way, the university is thriving and the quality of life is #1 in the country. Leebron is doing good in my book.</p>
<p>Leebron tweeted at me that he liked one of my video blogs on the internet, and then he talked about it in a presentation to a leadership class. I thought it was REALLY awesome that the president of the university is chill enough to give a freshman that much attention 
He’s a great guy</p>
<p>awesome! my bad, i guess i misconstrued the info.</p>
<p>Kwally - opinions are split on him. The pro-KTRU crowd does not like him, while many others do. He definitely is great to talk to and is easily accessible for a college president. </p>
<p>Either way, he has good qualities about him. How much you like him is up to you…</p>