<p>I know that my friends got tired of trying to help me decide between these two schools, so I decided to ask all of you for opinions! </p>
<p>I am a senior coming from a Midwest boarding school that focuses on math and science, and am looking to major in physics in college. I want to have a well-rounded education and college experience.</p>
<p>It would be great to hear about the physics department of each school, difficulty in finding research opportunities, class rigor, quality of professors, etc. </p>
<p>As far as financial aid goes, I received full tuition from UChicago (merit based) and near full tuition from Rice (mix of merit and need based, also including work study). The cost of each will end up being around the same amount per year, so money doesn't really affect my decision.</p>
<p>I would say that my major concern about UChicago is its academic intensity, which excites me and intimidates me at the same time. However, a minor concern of mine is the lack of social life of UChicago students. I know that at Rice it is mostly 'work hard, play hard', which I feel like I would enjoy better. As for Rice academics, I am mostly concerned about the quality of the physics program compared to UChicago's, as well as Houston's humidity >.<</p>
<p>I've visited both schools, felt comfortable at both, and am having a tough time making a decision.</p>
<p>Any input would be wonderful :)</p>
<p>If you’re doing physics, you’ll probably be looking at grad school. You liked both schools but did you feel that you would do better academically at one school over the other? I don’t really know anything about Physics but I do know about Houston humidity. In one sense, it’s like the cold, you get used to it. </p>
<p>In a lot of ways, UChicago sounds like a “safer” choice for you since you are currently in the midwest and it sounds like you are okay with the quality of the Chicago physic’s program. Houston would be different and you may ultimately decide to head back north after you graduate but it would be an opportunity to go outside your comfort zone. This probably hasn’t been a lot of help but just don’t let the humidity turn you off like someone would say about the cold in Chicago.</p>
<p>I am very familiar with both schools. I think Rice offers an incredible undergraduate experience and I would choose it for undergraduate school. You won’t be in Houston in the summer and that is when the humidity is the worst. September can be tough, but on the whole, the weather is great and you will wear flip flops in February. There is a lot to do and the campus is gorgeous.</p>
<p>Personally, I would go with Chicago – the social life isn’t nearly as bad as people make it out to be. </p>
<p>But, this is just my personal preference.</p>
<p>I think academics at both are stellar, but I would choose Rice for its better location, weather, and social life.</p>
<p>“the social life isn’t nearly as bad as people make it out to be.” </p>
<p>Exactly, and the body of students is changing from the weird monastery nerds that Chicago keeps being stereotyped with to more social, outgoing, and ‘normal’ people who still enjoy things like philosophical discussions and debates on contemporary affairs. On my overnight, I made friends with several people who were very extroverted, fun (maybe even a bit wild), and if I didn’t know better I’d think I was at USC or something. They were at the top of their class as well, so it’s not like you can’t get fun, social people at Chicago. That’s a stereotype that’s quickly losing its credibility.</p>