You really need to go to Admit Weekend and see if you won’t find some new friends you can identify with before you make this decision.
Read the offers carefully. Stanford will not be 1K only as you have a student contribution. Make sure to add everything up correctly.
I am a Rice alum, and both my college roommate of two years and one of my good friends chose Rice over Stanford. They were both from California and just felt that Rice was a better fit for them academically and personally. College is a time of growth as both a student and as a person, and they felt that Rice was a better fit for them. Interestingly, these two are the ones who ended up staying in Houston - most of the rest of my friend group ended up all over the country.
When I went to Owl Days as an admitted applicant (many years ago), I felt that feeling you described - that I had found my place, that I had found my people. I had an amazing four years at Rice.
I visited Rice a few weeks ago with my daughter, and went on a tour and had lunch with some students. Rice is so different than the Northeast schools we had seen earlier in the week, both physically and culturally. It has such a beautiful, organized campus. The college system creates such an inclusive, welcoming culture. One of the Rice students commented that Rice is an easy place for all kinds of students to thrive socially - introverts, extroverts, those who are more socially savvy as well as those who are more socially inexperienced - both because of the college system, and because there are so many events (parties in particular) sponsored by the colleges that are open to all and not invite only. There is always something social going on every weekend that you can go to alone or with a group of friends or a group from your college. It’s a very fun and laid back culture, with many fun and quirky traditions that are totally unique.
Interestingly, on the tour there was a family who had seen Stanford the day before. They commented that they preferred Rice’s campus because Stanford was so spread out.
I have never visited Stanford so these comments are very one sided. Stanford clearly has amazing international name recognition. Rice’s name recognition gets better every year, and Rice’s name recognition is very strong in Texas and the Southwest, but is not at the same level as Stanford. Of course, those who know academics hold Rice in high esteem and Rice graduates get into the best graduate schools and become leaders in their fields. All of the major consulting firms, I banks, tech firms, and engineering firms recruit at Rice, and often there is much less competition for jobs and internships because of the smaller student body and the number of students who go straight to grad school.
Another thing to consider is that students often end up in the same geographic area as their school after they graduate, at least for their first job or until they go to grad school.
Please update us after your visit to Stanford. You are in an amazing position and truly can’t go wrong!
Stanford is a once in a lifetime opportunity. They did not make a mistake when they admitted you to the class of 2019. It’s a fantastic school with a welcoming community. Do not psych yourself out and say you don’t belong there, if you believe that, then give your spot to someone who believes they do belong.
I agree with the go for your heart idea, but it must be considered that your school/major will influence your job and future. I’d say if it’s a toss up or even if Rice is a marginal victor, go with Stanford for the tuition relief and diploma (minus music, apparently), but if Rice truly is the choice, then choose it you must.
So would Stanford honestly open so many doors that Rice wouldn’t?
A great resume is what leads to a hire.
Where an employer is also matters, as for regional influences and who is affiliated with/recruits at a school. For an equal resume (GPA, graduate/professional test scores,etc…), Stanford will get you more places, but the real difference is something that should be researched with placement %, average salary adjusted to remove cost of living bias, and which employers you prefer. Of course, knowing your major helps, but it should still be apparent in most majors. I’m not saying the two schools are miles apart, but if this sort of thing matters, it helps to look up the info on a few areas of interest.
It all comes down to you, and remember that most seniors aren’t as lucky!
So would Stanford honestly open so many doors that Rice wouldn’t?
YES.
I have visited both, spent extended time at Rice, and really liked both. But I think college is a time to explore and break free a little. You are from Texas. If the two schools were equal weight in price and equal rate in prestige etc, I would still encourage you to go to California.
Doesn’t matter how many doors there are if you don’t like the rooms they lead to. Suspect DD is having similar prob: Wharton vs Stanford.
Yes and No.
People who stretch themselves and go all out will find doors and see of they open. But Stanford, in and of itself, isn’t the door finder or provider.
So if you truly like Rice, be assured it’s an excellent school that will give you a great education, has engaged students and good professors. However, if you choose Rice over Stanford because you’re fromTexas and that’s one reason for your affinity to Rice, maybe you’re the one closing doors rather than Stanford opening them.
I’m done with this metaphor.
I’m also one who would look at what if I wanted to switch? I would go for the adventure first (OOS to Stanford) and if things change, come back (to Rice) because it’s very difficult to go in the other direction.
Sure . . . and vice versa! It just depends on what doors you’re interested in. Do you want to spend the rest of your life in the San Francisco Bay Area? Then Stanford’s the place to be! Plan on returning to Texas to be close to your family? Then Rice is going to offer you far more opportunities than Stanford. As for the rest of the country - anyone who knows anything (both grad schools and employers) is familiar with both Rice and Stanford and is going to have enormous respect for a graduate from either institution. Once you leave the country, things change - Stanford has far better name recognition worldwide . . . but does that matter to you?
Sure, visit Stanford and see what you think . . . and if, after visiting, you want to come home to Rice, then that’s exactly what you should do! 
But, if you decide on Rice, do talk to Rice’s financial aid department about the possibility of increasing your award. You can show them the Stanford award letter and ask them if they can meet it, even half way, just to make Rice more affordable for your family. And tell them Rice is your first choice.
P.S. Don’t count on being able to transfer back to Rice if you decide on Stanford and later change your mind. You can always apply, but there are no guarantees.
Both schools are terrific. Congratulations. There is no job prospect or future consideration that warrants picking one over the other. You are beyond the point of worrying about that. Your future is entirely in your own hands.
Take the time to visit both and to learn about YOURSELF. You are the only person that matters in this decision. What really matters to you?
My D1, who is an uber student, had an equally difficult choice and she chose the road less traveled and turned down the so-called prize. Parents kept asking me if she had a scholarship because it didn’t compute for them. No she did not, she chose the school she felt more in tune with. Well wouldn’t you know it, but by the following year, the school she chose had become a prize. The same parents have asked me how she knew? It doesn’t matter, she chose the school on its own merits.
She graduated last June, had no problem finding a terrific job and is planning on grad school. There is no way she could have done some of the most meaningful things in her life had she had she chosen the prize.
FWIW, in selecting colleges to send her transcripts, Rice was on her list and Stanford didn’t make the cut. She didn’t end up applying to Rice because her EA results rendered applying there moot, but she liked it enough to be on her list.
Choose the place where you think that you are more likely to thrive.
Don’t know where you are getting that notion. My Stanford friends have literally been dispersed to the four corners of the country…and the earth.
Read my post, @JustOneDad. All of it - not just the first three sentences. Sheesh! 8-|
USC, Notre Dame, Northwestern, or UCLA? WL at berkeley and vanderbilt as well. Want to possibly transfer to Harvard, Penn, Yale, or Dartmouth but I understand that those chances are very slim. My major is either economics, finance, or business administration. I want to get an MBA from Harvard, Northwestern, Penn, or Stanford. I want to possibly become a hedge fund manager or CEO later in my career. What do you guys think?
I would visit Stanford to see how you like it versus Rice and look into how the departments of everything works.
Congrats on getting into those schools, especially Stanford! 
Just choose the one that feels right and the one you would enjoy being in. Never let prestige be a deciding factor.
NerdNation #FearTheTree
If you end up leaning towards Rice, then do tell Rice what S offered to see if they’ll match.
definitely give Stanford a chance and go visit, there is way more alumi network and opportunities. HOWEVER, if you have visited and feel like you absolutely don’t fit in, by all means, go to Rice. Remember, you have to be happy with college to do well at it, if you love Rice this much, a lot of things can be overlooked
Rice is great, but Stanford is on a whole other level. They are not peers. Unless you hate Stanford when you visit, I think you should seriously consider going there.