<p>Just looking for some extra opinions to help my decision. I received the 5-year full tuition scholarship from USC but Rice's financial aid grant is covering full tuition next year so money is only an issue in the long run. I haven't visited Rice yet (going for the Owl Days next week), but I loved what I saw at USC, the weather and location in L.A., especially for architecture seems like a major plus and the campus is just the right size (though I've heard that Rice is just as large campus-wise). Right now I'm leaning more towards USC because of the Trojan network, the new academic focus that the university is promoting as well as the innovation that Dean Ma is bringing into the Architecture school, and the opportunities presented by it's location in LA and in the multiple study abroad opportunities (as opposed to Rice's one architecture abroad program in Paris); overall it just seems like there is more upside in USC because the school seems to be on the rise and I feel like the larger size/diversity there suits me better than the small setting at Rice. However, Rice does have the greater current reputation in both architecture and general education. The school seems legitimately in the students and the individual attention that they advocate (especially in architecture where they accept 24 students a year) is definitely appealing. I really just am afraid that I would regret not choosing to go to the "better school", so please, any thoughts or opinions that might help in making a decision are very welcome. :]</p>
<p>Ultimately, you will choose based on the best fit for you, but Rice ranks so high because it has a superb program. You really begin to understand what a fabulous school of architecture it has when you realize that it maintains top 10 rankings in spite of its tiny number of archi graduates–Rice graduates are obviously making a tremendous impact on the world for Rice to be rated so highly with so few graduates. The same is true of Rice’s overall curriculum. Rice is well-known for its top-notch undergraduate education!</p>
<p>Hi! I am in a similar situation as you and I’m having trouble deciding which one to choose. I received the full 5 year scholarship from USC but nothing from Rice. Rice has been my top choice since last year because I felt more intimacy at Rice. The classes are smaller, the people seemed nicer, and the teachers seemed like they really cared. Not to mention Rice is ranked no. 1 in the world’s happiest students. I don’t like the large size of USC, and I feel as if there is less individual value. However, there are many more opportunities in terms of study abroad, extracurricualar involvement, etc. And it has an amazing Trojan network. I want to live in SoCal after I graduate, but (being from SoCal) I wanted to go away for college. And I’ve heard a lot of negative feedback about USC’s dorms. </p>
<p>I was wondering what YOU ultimately chose and why, and also if you regret your decision at all. This would be EXTREMELY helpful!</p>
<p>USC has a slid reputation, particularly in California, and of course the football program is quite a bit better. But Rice has a great program. It has a small class size and is the opposite of the ‘weed’em out programs’ that you read so much about. The University is based around residential colleges and all the Rice grads I know (including my wife) loved it there.</p>
<p>The crown jewel of the architecture school is their preceptorship program. Firms apply for this program and they send kids around the world for a nine month internship before the start of their 5th year. Most of these kids get offers to come back and end up working in some pretty spectacular places (Renzo Piano, Foster, KPF, etc). This is why we seldom see Rice grads in Dallas. In my wife’s class four stayed in Houston and about 12 went to NY.</p>
<p>The university is very academically focused and a bit geeky, but in a fun, supportive sort of way. I was hoping my daughter would go there, but once the offer came in from Stanford it was clear I was not getting my wish…</p>
<p>rick</p>