<p>There's a same thread on UCLA page, but here it is again:
So I'm a Psych major, and even if I might change my major, I know that I'm not going to go into sciences. This is one factor that makes me lean towards UCLA, since it has a better psych program than Rice (Rice's undergrad psych program, sadly, isn't ranked). The fact that Rice is more famous for its engineering, biochemistry and other math/science fields is not a plus for my side. Also I know I don't want to live in Houston or the South forever, so while Southerners might really love Rice, UCLA's international reputation might be more beneficial for me, somebody who still doesn't know which country she will end up in (Korea, Australia which I used to live in, the States...). And also there's no one-way flight from Seoul to Houston, which makes it bad for my family to come over and go back frequently. My family would definitely prefer me to be in Cali than Texas. On the other hand, I'm almost in love with the school Rice itself, everybody who went there seems to love it so much, and I can already see that I'm going to love my four years there. And UCLA's humongous population and its enormous Asian population is not what I wanted for my future university, although I think I will be able to adjust if I choose to go there. Additional information: I'm shooting for going to grad school later, and hopefully, ultimately, being a professor in my field. Is it true that going to an undergrad program that's stronger can help me for going to grad school?
I know this is a LOT to consider, and I definitely need second opinions! Please help.</p>
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<p>'Nuff said, IMO.</p>
<p>Both are great schools but I believe there would be more “hand-holding” at Rice than there would be at UCLA. Rice is also quite respected especially in the South as well as in the West Coast.</p>
<p>Just one thing to consider. I’m a psych major at Rice and while the program may be unranked, the education is still good plus because of Rice’s small size there are more opportunities to do research. I am only a freshman and i am already working in a psych lab, have been offered a summer job, and have somewhere to work in the fall. I don’t know how it owuld be at UCLA but as you say it is really big, which might mean less opportunities for this type of experience.</p>
<p>Have you visited either or both? They’re so different! My daughter also had these two in her list of final choices. We were fortunate enough to be able to visit both (not such a long trip for us). Personally, I loved UCLA and we would have been happy to have her a bit closer to home. (We live in Berkeley.) She wasn’t crazy about it, though. To her it seemed too big, “too LA” (a complaint you can have if you live in Northern CA) and…had a reputation for not providing many research opportunities for undergrads. It was that last problem that really struck UCLA from her list, and made Rice such an appealing choice. She’s a freshman this year at Rice and already involved in an internship she loves. That said, she’s in bioengineering, not psychology, and I don’t know anything about the two schools’ psych departments. She loves the small class sizes, the interaction directly with professors and the residential college system, none of which you’d get at UCLA. On the otherhand, UCLA is a great school in close proximity to lots of great places to visit, which might appeal to your family, but how much does it matter to you? It sounds like what you need is a pro-con list. Make a list of all the things you like and don’t like at each school and give each a value for its importance to you. Either that or just trust your gut and choose one. They’re both great schools.</p>
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<p>Though I’m not a current student, I can say that it sounds like Rice would be a better fit. While there are plenty of Asians (about 15 to 20%), there is SO much more diversity at Rice. At Owl Days, I met all sorts of people, and the residential college system really helps with that. </p>
<p>I wouldn’t worry about Rice’s reputation. Grad schools definitely recognize the prestige of your Rice degree.</p>
<p>Thank you guys all for your response!
tetrisfan - Haha I wish it was that straightforward for my dad too.
RML - But is that hand-holding beneficial for me in the long run? Some of my friends were saying UCLA will help me more develop as an independent person.
sffhgoalie73 - The thing is U.S. immigration regulations doesn’t allow international students to work off-campus 
But does this mean I can’t intern as well?
BerkeleyMom - I would love to have campus visits, but they are just too expansive for me. Anyways I’m in the process of revising my pro-con list! lol
Modulation - I didn’t know that Rice was that diverse. Thanks for that info.</p>
<p>I guess I’m leaning towards Rice more now…
For guys that see this post, can you guys please help me finding good reasons for me to go to Rice? I need good arguments to convince my parents. :)</p>
<p>The lab I’m working at is on campus, so I’m sure you could do that. And when I say work, it’s not actually a job; I’m getting credit and experience for it, not money. There are plenty of psych labs on campus that are pretty easy to work, volunteer, or get course credit in. This is all good for grad school if that’s where you are heading.</p>