So to start out I was admitted off of both waitlists. Rice on the 26th or something and UCLA on the 4th. I filed my SIR to Rice on the 1st and am super excited about going there because it’s gorgeous and Houston is supposed to be cool and the classes are small etc… However, Rice doesn’t have mock trial and from what I’ve heard and researched their Model UN team isn’t very good and those are the two programs I’m most interested in as I want to go to law school. Conversely, UCLA is like 3rd in the country for MT and top 50 for MUN. Plus I’m a political science and econ double major. I feel like in general Rice is a better school and provides a better undergrad experience but I’m worried that the school is too engineering focused and I would struggle to get into top law schools from Rice as opposed to UCLA. I’m from California and have mixed emotions about whether or not I want to move far away. Rice will be about 7k less a year after FA. Please help I have like two days to reply to UCLA and I’m just worried about making a choice that will make me happy but could be negative for my future. For what it’s worth Los Angeles doesn’t click with me tbh.
@soccerboy10 First, I am not pro or anti either school, but have been through the agony of decisions with three students now. Maybe you over over-analyzing and getting yourself mixed up with so many criteria. Decide what is truly most important to you. One has to feel more comfortable than the other, they are sooo different. For admittance to law school the big thing is doing well on LSAT and good grades and various activities which can be accomplished through many majors and experiences. UCLA will be a bigger jungle to compete in and navigate, do you like that? You will room with random people unless you have a room mate chosen - this was actually a big factor for one of mine - cause he is a serious engineering double major and worried about being placed with people that didn’t care so much (not that UCLA is full of slackers, just a concern). I don’t know about them specifically, but I hear the residential set up at Rice is really cool. You said you think Rice is the better school and undergrad experience, and LA doesn’t click with you…hmmmm. My guess is while programs/organizations may be ranked higher at one school, that may have little to do with you personally because those things are what you make of them - will you shine at one more than another? Time at college goes fast and you choose where you end up when you are done, CA to Texas isn’t that big a distance in terms of flying time and you are so busy at either school to worry about going back and forth too much. I think in your heart you feel better about one. Make a decision right now, mentally commit to it and live it till the morning and see if you wake up sweating or happy. Good luck, I know it is tough, but the answer is in you somewhere!
I think I’m going to Rice it just feels right to me like you said. I appreciate your help the responses to my threads have made the decision relatively straightforward I think 
Congrats@ soccerboy10. There is a big difference in a smaller private versus a large public and each person has to decide which world is right for them. It seems like you have always known what you wanted, it is just hard to let go of either school because both are great in their own right. I’m not anti-UCLA, but in your case it seems like your heart knows the kind of educational experience you want. From the things you said, it seems your reason for choosing UCLA was primarily cause of Model UN and MT being bigger programs there. That may mean more resources, but also means more people, more competition for a place within those programs and the ability to make a difference or attain things may be more challenging. You may be able to make a bigger impact on a smaller program. You will find them. Also, while great experience, they are not the golden ticket into law schools, there are so many ways to get there. Rice will give you a lot of personal attention in your classes and ECs. Good luck!