Thinking Twice About Rice

Colleges & Universities A-Z Rice University
1

<p>(Disclaimer: The title is only marginally related to my question. Sorry. But I thought it was clever. And hopefully original)</p>

<p>I apologize if this appears trite or childish, this is my first post, although I've been a frequent lurker (or alternately, researcher) on college confidential. I'm an early decision admit to Rice, and up until this month I've been annoyingly ecstatic and perhaps even promotional of my future college! However, in the past months I've been having a few doubts that mainly stem from the fact, that, due to a weird educational background, I'll only be sixteen years old when I step on campus this coming fall. I admit I am enticed by the plethora of opportunities presented to me at Rice, however, at the same time, I'm a little worried. I've never thought myself as extremely mature, even for my age, and the adventure that I thrive on has rarely taken me out of my hometown (in Washington state). Despite how it sounds like over the phone, I'm extremely attached to both my family and my close circle of friends here, many of whom I have known since middle school. I had always planned to go to some small (and relatively unknown) LAC, but my family encouraged me to go for Rice, my biggest reach school, where we felt I could have university-level resources but still maintain the security of a small student body (I'm actually starting to find the size of the Rice student body too big!) I consider myself fairly adaptable (it comes with being human, according to Darwin), so I know I will be able to survive even in this colossal college conversion, but my question is: can I not only survive Rice, but thrive there? To treasure my experience, to gain a new home, to spend each day in the Houston sun with no regrets? </p>

<p>I know it's a hard question to answer, so here are a few random facts that didn't quite fit into my monologue:
* I actually spent a month away from home over the summer at Mt Holyoke College (all the way on the East Coast) doing math research. Independence, intellectual stimulation, and meeting some of the most amazing people... ever, came at the cost of my comfort zone, but I wouldn't trade that time for the world. I completely loved it.
* Reading college confidential, I have come to see a heavy pro-gap-year contingent. I would love to take a gap year. I would also love to be the first woman to Mars... right now. I have neither the resources or the parental approval for either. A gap year is pretty much a lost cause for me -- so is another year in high school. So basically my only other option is Rice (which is actually the same option).
* I'm one of those lame seniors who prefer shopping and going to the library and working out rather than partying. Actually, in my entire life, I've gone to... one party. Where I drank diet coke. Basically, I'm not into partying at all. I also like meeting people slowly. It's not that I don't like meeting lots of people at once, it just really stresses me out and hurts my head to remember all their names (haha).
* I did visit Rice during Owl Weekend, and like a few people here, I was a little annoyed by the presence of drinking/partying. I also felt like something was missing like professors who could speak English (Actually, I suspect I just sat in on the worst class on campus.... ever). However, there were things that I loved about Rice (mainly the other Owls, Houston, and the pretty campus!) that made me remember that rarely can conclusions be drawn from a single campus visit. So I'm still a big Rice fan. :)
* Rice has been unbelievably generous and kind to me throughout the process (I was admitted as math/physics seemingly undeserved half-scholarship as well as this Century Scholar research thing -- I am very passionate about research and my parents were passionate about the stipend.... jk), however, I didn't feel the same level of LAC-nurture and personal attention that I got from... actual LACs. I like familial units. Also mentors/parental people. Are there people like that at Rice? </p>

<p>Going over this entry, I realized that it is disturbingly lengthy, being the product of a diet coke induced over-thinking. Sorry :) If anyone could address any of these concerns for me, I'd be really, really grateful. Thanks!</p>

2

<p>Relax! Doubts are normal at this time of the year. You should do just fine there, and have a wondeful time. Your college masters will be a great resource for you, and your college will support you and give you the "small campus" feel, if you choose. Some Rice kids do spend a great deal of time in their college (each college is about 300 students) - eating, hanging out, etc. - while others branch out and hang out with friends from many colleges, eat all over campus, etc. In one of the threads, someone mentioned that the type of Rice student who is likely to host a prospie at Owl Weekend is a more extroverted, social and partying type. An introverted student may not be comfortable hosting prospies - so prospies will not have close contact with that type of student at Owl Weekend. You may just be having cold feet - or you may need a gap year.. but if you do choose to go to Rice, you will find many non-partiers and you will find your niche. Good luck with your decision.</p>

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<p>I'm a local mom with a son starting at Rice in the fall. The only downside to Rice for him is that it's a little too close to home -- we live only 10 minutes away. He'll be living on campus and we're going to treat him the same as if he was away at college. I'm sure I'll be going through withdrawal, so if you ever need a friendly "mom" closer by, feel free to contact me!</p>

<p>I'm sure you'll do great, though; Rice seems to be a warm community environment that will make you feel at home.</p>

4

<p>I have a few pointers for you; I hope they help!
1) I'm a senior in high school going to Rice next year, and I've never been much of the "party-constantly" type either. However, I have been to an academic summer camp before (somewhat like yours I think) and, like you, I LOVED it. I really get the feeling, based on the people I talk to and the info I read, that Rice will be more like an extended version of that than anything else, which would be AWESOME BEYOND ALL COMPARISON
2) From what I have heard, there will be people who can interact on a personal level - Rice does have one of those good student-teacher ratios after all, and I have heard from actual Rice students (gasp!) that the profs tend to be pretty accessible.
3) As for large student body, remember the res-college system? I think that may be a big help for you - it'll be a smaller group of people, and you can get to know your college classmates first. And as for the name thing - I do the same exact thing (forget people's names, get overloaded with personal data) and it worked out at my summer camp.
4) I know a girl who's been in college for a couple years now, and she's still 16 and has done well in spite of the environment, workload, etc. If she can go in at 14, you can handle it now!
...
Hope you do come! And I hope this alleviated some of your worries!</p>

<p>PS: Check out <a href="http://ricechat.gotoextinguisher.com/bb/index.php%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://ricechat.gotoextinguisher.com/bb/index.php&lt;/a> for more Rice chattter - you can probably pick up a lot more there than I know about . . . (I'm EricR1, the insane kid challenging the other Eric Rs. btw >:)</p>

<p>EDIT: apparently you know about the other Rice forum already . . . oops (Niadar is stoopid, bangs head vs. wall)</p>

5

<p>My daughter is graduating from Rice this weekend after a wonderful 4 years. She is staying in Houston in her apartment right near Rice, so if you need any help or advice, PM me and I will send you her contact information.
Also, she was/is very active in Canterbury, the student group of Palmer Episcopal Church. If you have any interest in that, it is a good way to make some friends.
You will be fine at Rice and will find a close group of friends through your residential college. While there is a lot of partying, there are plenty of kids who choose other forms of entertainment, too.<br>
You will love Rice.</p>

6

<p>"I was a little annoyed by the presence of drinking/partying."</p>

<p>I am sorry Rice doesn't adapt to all your expectations honey.... In college you will find many things you don't like, it will probably push your comfort zone, but at the end you will come out of it a more well-rounded an open minded person.
At Rice, there are many "non-partiers" if that is what you wish you call them, but i think if you ask me the better term is non-drinkers since you appear judgemental about that activity. There are non-drinkers that party and have fun.</p>

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<p>My daughter will be a junior at Rice next year and, as I've said on other threads, she has loved the residential system. She found the college masters very helpful before she moved in, as she had questions and things being shipped prior to her arrival since she was coming from outside the US. She is a social person, but not a drinker, and has had no problems with pressure in that regard. She has found "parental" people at West University Baptist Church and as MomofWildChild says, this kind of group is a good way to make friends, as are all of the clubs in which you might have an interest. From my daughter's experience, I would say that you can get nuturing/personal attention if you seek it and ask for it, but it may not be lavished upon you without your invitation. I cannot think that your age will be an issue - Rice is pretty well known for good assessments of people's abilities. In our experience, they are also very good at matching up roommates, which can be an important issue for incoming freshmen. I assume that your close friends from middle school will also be going their separate ways for university so you would be faced with leaving your comfort zone no matter where you attend. And it does rain, sometimes quite a bit, in Houston too!</p>

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<p>You can also PM me. My D just completed her first year at Rice. I'd be happy to "introduce" you and you could ask her questions and get advise. She's not a party girl either, but she's made some great friends from all over and is completely happy with choosing Rice.</p>

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<p>If it's any consolation, the Rice Class of 2011 Facebook group had a thread where kids filled out pretend roommate profiles as a means of getting to know eachother and a significant majority said that they don't drink. A lot of incoming students feel the same way you do; I'm sure you won't have any trouble finding friends because of that.</p>

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<p>Would that not apply to the original poster, too?</p>

11

<p>I should ask you the same thing.</p>

12

<p>I think after Oweek, you won't have any worries. Your Oweek group provides you with instafriends and advisors/fellows that will introduce you to Rice life. You will get to know your college's (dorm's) freshman class really well during oweek too. Also, the College Masters and associates are built-in mentors.</p>

13

<p>Why is the gap year a lost cause for you? Is it because of financial reasons?</p>

<p>I am a student at Rice entering my Junior year and I think it is a great school and all, but I think you should be older when you start going to school. Obviously you can't change that right now, but I thinka gap year is a sensational idea. I had a friend who did a gap year and she absolutely loved it. I entered kindergarten a year early so I should have graduated a year ahead, but my dad held me back because he was afraid that I wouldn't be as emotionally and physically mature as my classmates when I got older and I completely agree with him now. I don't know you personally, but if I were you I'd wait a year to start going to the university.</p>

14

<p>There is a girl in my class this year who was the same age you're going to be entering in, and she did fine and everyone loves her. </p>

<p>Like everything, just be yourself, if you're admitted into college 2 years early, I'm sure you're mature enough.</p>

<p>Edit: There is a big party atmosphere at Rice, and you will see that wherever you go, but the stigmatism you put on drinking/not drinking is really not existent, there isn't a whole lot of pressure to get involved with it unless you wanted to in the first place. </p>

<p>There is kind of a divide between social/nonsocial people, but if you're social, outgoing, and friendly it shouldn't be a problem. The one thing I can say that is if you don't try to meet anybody, you won't, and you probably won't have fun. This of course applies to ANYWHERE you would try to go.</p>

15

<p>I'd agree with Torrestowers on this one - I'd try to look into a gap year. The admissions office is usually pretty understanding about letting people defer for a year (and in many cases even encourage it). A gap year doesn't have to be wildly expensive - yes, some people do go spend a year in Europe or something, but sometimes, especially when the issue is whether or not you're old enough to really handle college, a year spent living at home can be valuable (though I'd try to find something to keep you occupied - volunteer or get a job). </p>

<p>That said, if you decide to go straight on to Rice, you'll probably do fine. Just be yourself and try to do anything drastic to impress people.</p>

<p>Rice does a great job of forming a kind of family atmosphere. The colleges put you with a group of about 300 other students (and 300 sounds like a lot for a "family atmosphere," but it actually works) including upperclassmen, so it's not just a group of freshmen trying to find their way through their first year by themselves. And there's a great network of College Masters, RAs, and peer advisors who you can turn to when you need mentors.</p>