Hey, everyone! Washington University in St. Louis and Rice University are among my top colleges. I am interested in studying political science. Both are pretty similar schools. However, WashU is perhaps too close to where I live right now (~ 20 mins), but Rice is harder to get into than WashU. Which college is superior?
Thanks!
IMHO Wash u is easier being admitted to than rice is like saying getting a date with Katy Perry is easier than Taylor Swift. Pretty much close to zero, for both, for most people. I would apply to both if you like them and go to the one who accepts you. Or have this debate once they both say yes.
@privatebanker Ahahaha true. Thanks!
Good luck. And have fun along the way!
Apply to both if you like them and see what happens. They are both great schools, and both are very hard admits. A student might get into one or both of the schools or neither of them. Wash U puts a lot of emphasis on demonstrated interest. Rice considers interest also. Wash U accepted about 40 percent of its class ED this year while Rice accepted about 1/3 of its class ED.
My daughter was admitted to Rice RD last year, but was wait listed at Wash U RD. She sent in her RD application to Wash U right before the deadline, and she did not add on to the basic application by applying for any of the scholarships. The Wash U application did not have supplemental essays, but Rice’s application had a lot of them. My daughter put more work into the Rice application because she liked the school better and thought it was a better fit for her than Wash U. However, she visited and interviewed at both schools. Wash U has Greek life while Rice does not. Both are located in very nice areas of their cities near the main city park and museums. Wash U will be cold in the winter while Rice will not. Rice will be hotter at the beginning of the school year than Wash U. Both have beautiful campuses.
WashU grad Political Science has a higher ranking than Rice’s program according to US News.
I went to undergrad in CoMo and to graduate school in Houston. I love the Rice campus and the area of town that it’s in. The thing you need to know though, is that as hard as it is to believe, the humidity and heat in Houston make Missouri summers seem downright pleasant. I lived there year 'round and maybe you’ll escape the worst of the summer. The Houston traffic also makes StL traffic feel rural. You should visit during the heat before you commit to applying. It’s brutal! Couldn’t wait to get out.