<p>Hey all! I have yet another ‘vs.’ question if anyone has some input.</p>
<p>I’m trying to decide between UPenn and Rice, and looking to go into natural sciences (physics and mathematics in particular). So I’m wondering how the science programs at the schools would compare. But then it’s not just studying at these schools I’m interested in, it’s living there too (if you get what I mean). Anybody have any advice? Anything would be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>Wow, they are so different! D is a soph at Rice and S (hs junior) has Penn at the top of his list and we just visited. The only similarity is that they are both in big cities. Rice has more of a non-city campus feel, although we loved the Penn campus, too. Rice has a 3 mile running/walking path around the whole campus which gives the campus finite boundaries. It is surrounded by nice homes and on three sides feels "suburban". The medical center complex is on the other side. Once you are off of the Penn campus you KNOW you are in a big city. Rice has a smaller student body and athletics aren't very high profile (except for baseball). Penn is in the Ivy League, of course, and takes it's athletics seriously. Rice has warmer weather and is in Texas (my home state). Penn is closer to NYC, which appeals to my son. You really need to do an overnight at both places to get a real feel. What great options you have.</p>
<p>I was really interested in Rice for a while, until I realized that Houston is not that great of a city- it's polluted and muggy. Plus, my cousin who lives in Houston sayst that the violent crime rate there is high. I havn't verified that tho.</p>
<p>That said, Rice is a great school academically, and its price tag can't be beat.</p>
<p>Penn, on the other hand is in a much better city, its name carries more weight on the East Coast, and the surrounding area is a lot better than it was a decade ago.</p>
<p>D loves Houston- and she swore she would never come back to Texas for college. She likes it a lot better than Dallas. The arts community is really strong-opera, art museums etc. She is pretty picky, so Houston must be OK. I agree with the muggy part- S won't even consider it. BUT-there is a big thread on an athletic message board I frequent about how awful Philadelphia is (I don't agree). It's just a matter of what suits each individual.</p>