WashU vs Northwestern vs Rice - heeeeelp!

College Search & Selection
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<p>Hi, I'm trying to make my final decisions but I'm a little lost.</p>

<p>I was accepted at: WashU, NU, Rice and Notre Dame. I love ND but I've sort of crossed it out at this point
I was also waitlisted at: Duke, Williams, Amherst and Middlebury. I took spots at all but Middlebury, but I'm not sure how interested I am at pursuing them.</p>

<p>The thing is that I don't know what I want to study. Possibly science or social science, but I'm undecided - which makes me somewhat concerned about attending the larger schools. But the smaller schools also tend to have a larger drinking culture (which is a con for me).<br>
More about me, I like the outdoors - biking, walking, canoeing, etc. I'm a very laid-back person - not into crazy parties, I'd rather just chill with friends.</p>

<p>Here are my thoughts so far:</p>

<p>WashU
*Felt an immediate connection with the campus. It felt like everything that I was looking for - beautiful, safe, clean, but not isolated. I love the parks nearby and the Loop and the fact that it does have the offerings of a major city without a campus that feels urban. I could picture myself there. Dorms and food were amazing.
*Campus culture- I felt like I could connect more with the students? They all seemed smart and down-to-earth. The campus had a really chill, laid-back feel - at night you could tell there were parties but it wasn't crazy or overbearing. Definite plus. Downside - not much school spirit?
*More flexible academics (?)</p>

<p>Northwestern
*Campus - it was pretty, its close to home (not sure if thats good or bad...), I love Lake Michigan. Evanston + Chicago have better offerings than St Louis for sure. However, the campus didn't have the same cohesive, community feel I saw at WashU.
*I'm not sure if I like the Greek emphasis, and I always hear about how competitive it is.</p>

<p>Rice
*Haven't visited yet (going Thursday for Owl Days!), but I've heard its beautiful. I like the residential college system, from what I hear of it, and Houston seems like a great city.
*On the other hand, I hear that there is a huge emphasis on drinking. Its not that I'm totally against that, but I don't know if I'd want it to be a huge part of it.
*The smallest of the schools...but Houston can be hot (I hate the heat! And I love snow)</p>

<p>I'm trying to compare a bunch of different things...I'm just really looking for some feedback or advice based on my choices! Feel free to include and input you'd like</p>

<p>-One thing that I'm sort of worried about is name recognition. I think I'd eventually like to live in Chicago (at least the midwest). EVERYYYYYYONE knows Northwestern here. People(future employers) know that its a great school and you've got to be smart to do well. Not many know of WashU or Rice, I feel. I wonder if I would be doing myself a disservice by not choosing NU, event if I feel more "at home"/comfortable at another school.</p>

<p>-Academics. Reading this site I feel like the consensus is that WashU is only good for Bio. Which I may or may not do. Rice also seems to be very science-y, whereas NU is seen as all around good?</p>

<p>-I don't know if I should pursue my WL schools. Williams/Amherst as seen as academically amazing, which I like, but to be honest I didn't feel as comfortable at or as connected to either LAC as I did at NU/WashU. And Duke is ranked so high (+ great sports!) but I havent visited!</p>

<p>Sorry, this is REALLY long! I've got a lot on my mind! Please share any thoughts you have! Thanks</p>

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<p>In chicago, while your average man may not know about Rice and WashU, the top employers absolutely know about the two colleges, and probably like them as much if not more than NU. </p>

<p>Rice and WashU are at least as good (if not better than) NU in academics. All are considered top notch schools in every major, although some may be better in one area.</p>

<p>Academically and reputation wise you can’t go wrong with these three. IDK if the WL is worth it, considering the schools you got in are all amazing. All of these schools are strong in the areas you wish to study.</p>

<p>Partying is definately present at Rice and NU, but is not overbearing at either. If you want to join in great, but if not you can still have tons of fun.</p>

<p>Really these schools are all great, all have great academics, all in great cities, and all have great student bodies. Really the only thing that should affect your decision now is visiting each one, and determining which place you would be happiest</p>

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<p>^^^ I completely agree with bchristian – all 3 schools have equally great academics and will be on the same footing in the eyes of employers and grad schools, so you should decide based on fit. I have a son at Rice and drinking is only a big deal if you want to participate. Lots of kids at Rice don’t drink and everyone’s fine with that. And Rice is not just known for its tech offerings. Enjoy your visit!</p>

<p>Wash U is not only good for bio. I also have a son at Wash U, and there’s a lot of strength in many departments. By the way, they’re both very happy at their schools. They decided on the school that fit the best for them.</p>

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<p>Regarding drinking at Rice…</p>

<p>So, I was in a similar situation as you were last year (between NU, WUSTL, Rice, and many other schools a well). When I visited Rice during Owl Days, I was quite concerned about the drinking. And there was quite a bit of drinking during Owl Days as well (and, by all means, you don’t have to participate… I didn’t participate). However, as I finish my freshman year here, I realize there is very little pressure to drink. The decision to drink is ultimately up to you and you can still have a lot of fun without drinking. Also, the drinking culture here isn’t as big as I initially thought… supposedly 30-40% of Rice student’s don’t drink. And I ran into my fair share of drunk Rice students on Saturday nights, and most were nice to me (one offered me chips, another high-fived me, another realized I was trying to study and told their friends to quite down, etc.). Rice students are generally nice, chill, laid-back, down-to-earth people, and VERY HARDWORKING. In fact, the student body at Rice seems to be quite similar to that of WashU. Although a drinking culture exists, it’s no more than at WashU and probably less than at Northwestern.</p>

<p>Houston is an amazing city with a lot to do! And, don’t worry about the weather… when it does get really hot (i.e. June and July), you will not be here anyway. The weather this year has been quite nice and pleasant… except for the first 2-3 weeks of school, it hasn’t gotten past 80s. December, January, and February are usually quite mild compared to Chicago and the Midwest… I was wearing shorts every day during the last week of January.</p>

<p>I hope you are very excited for Owl Days!!! All of us Rice students hosting propsies (myself included) are very excited to welcome you to our amazing university and have been preparing for this event for at least a month now. I really hope you enjoy your visit. </p>

<p>Anyway, best of luck with your decision! Can’t go wrong with any of the schools. I also think you should pursue your WL schools… you have nothing to lose.</p>

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<p>Thanks for the replies :slight_smile: I guess I’ll wait to judge Rice’s character for myself until I get to visit</p>

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<p>I know I sound like a broken record on these forums, but I can’t say enough about what an amazing college experience Rice offers. Also, students aren’t there for the worst of the heat/humidity, and it SURE is nice to have those warm February days!</p>

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<p>I really think what you wrote about WashU answers your question about where to attend. I love Northwestern, but you sound more of a U of Chicago person than a NU person, which again takes me back to WashU. It many ways you can get a great combination of the urban experience and the LAC experience you seek at WashU.</p>

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<p>^^^ Yup. Wash U or Rice. Both offer a great combination of urban experience and an LAC-like feel.</p>

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<p>Its funny that you say UChicago, because I always thought I would have adored that school, if it had been less urban :slight_smile: But yeah, I think why I like these schools is the balance they strike</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

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<p>bump 10char</p>

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<p>Son went to Rice. Daughter to Duke. Rice is more diverse, and the faculty seemed to be more tolerant of all points of view. The residential college system is a superior learning environment. Both are strong in engineering and the sciences, although undergrads probably have slightly greater research opportunities at Rice.</p>

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<p>That was another thing, the research. There was a specific professor at Duke researching an uncommon field that I am extremely interested (the only other place with something like it was Harvard). I’ll miss out on that opportunity, I suppose…</p>

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<p>Something like what?</p>

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<p>It was research in canine cognition/neuroscience and connecting that to humans/anthropology :slight_smile:
Its not like it was something I NEED to do, just an interest</p>