What kind of kid does best at RICE?

[Anonymous]

DS loves the school, parents nervous about him being so far away. ACT 34, GPA at Big 3 is 3.8ish with interesting ECs. Not sure it's enough to get in? What kind is student does well there?

[Anonymous]

His stats are similar to my DDs, who applied early decision last year and got in. I would say that Rice is really welcoming to all kinds of kids; there are no sororities or fraternities that might create an exclusive atmosphere. The social life revolves around the residential colleges. A very urbane, cynical kid might not enjoy the residential college traditions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:His stats are similar to my DDs, who applied early decision last year and got in. I would say that Rice is really welcoming to all kinds of kids; there are no sororities or fraternities that might create an exclusive atmosphere. The social life revolves around the residential colleges. A very urbane, cynical kid might not enjoy the residential college traditions.

Could you expound on what you mean by "traditions?"

[Anonymous]

Here's your answer to all the "What kind of kid does best at ______?" questions: Smart kids with good grades and test scores who have good study habits.

You're welcome.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:His stats are similar to my DDs, who applied early decision last year and got in. I would say that Rice is really welcoming to all kinds of kids; there are no sororities or fraternities that might create an exclusive atmosphere. The social life revolves around the residential colleges. A very urbane, cynical kid might not enjoy the residential college traditions.

Could you expound on what you mean by "traditions?"

I'm not the PP you're responding to, but, as the parent of a very happy and enthusiastic Rice student, I'd say the traditions are mostly related to community service, intra-mural sports and parties. Rice students and alums feel great loyalty to their residential colleges, and for our son, who really didn't want a school with frats, the residential college system has been a high point of his experience at Rice. FWIW, he's neither cynical nor urbane (thank goodness). I'd describe him as witty, friendly, intellectually curious, a self-motivated student, very engaged in community service, socially confident (though not a party animal), outdoorsy and athletic (HS varsity athlete and team captain). He is a DC native, who attended independent school here. He's not the rah-rah type at all, but he loves Rice, and we've been delighted with his experience there.

[Anonymous]

The kind of kid who is not bothered by their Ivy rejections.

[Anonymous]

I am a Rice grad, not from Texas. Turned down 2 Ivies to go to Rice (no, not Cornell or Columbia or UPenn) and never regretted it for a second.

Rice is full of smart, quirky, kind kids who probably weren't cool in high school. It is academically challenging and engaging, but not competitive. All of the status-conscious stuff that was a big deal at my suburban high school (cars, clothes, vacations, etc) was wholly absent at Rice. Students have lots of freedom (lots!), but also enough of a safety net that I never felt alone or like I didn't have adults who I could call on if I needed help. It was an amazing place to learn and engage with the world of ideas and grow into my adult self.

[Anonymous]

The kind of kid who knows he's getting a way better education than he'd get at any Ivy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a Rice grad, not from Texas. Turned down 2 Ivies to go to Rice (no, not Cornell or Columbia or UPenn) and never regretted it for a second.

Rice is full of smart, quirky, kind kids who probably weren't cool in high school. It is academically challenging and engaging, but not competitive. All of the status-conscious stuff that was a big deal at my suburban high school (cars, clothes, vacations, etc) was wholly absent at Rice. Students have lots of freedom (lots!), but also enough of a safety net that I never felt alone or like I didn't have adults who I could call on if I needed help. It was an amazing place to learn and engage with the world of ideas and grow into my adult self.

I wonder it that's changed. Granted I only know a handful of kids from this area who have gone to Rice but none of them were quirky and most were "cool" in high school.

[Anonymous]

One who is wicked smart and confident in her/his own choices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a Rice grad, not from Texas. Turned down 2 Ivies to go to Rice (no, not Cornell or Columbia or UPenn) and never regretted it for a second.

Rice is full of smart, quirky, kind kids who probably weren't cool in high school. It is academically challenging and engaging, but not competitive. All of the status-conscious stuff that was a big deal at my suburban high school (cars, clothes, vacations, etc) was wholly absent at Rice. Students have lots of freedom (lots!), but also enough of a safety net that I never felt alone or like I didn't have adults who I could call on if I needed help. It was an amazing place to learn and engage with the world of ideas and grow into my adult self.

Excellent point -- faculty are very focused on undergrads, generous in providing academic and career guidance. -- from a Rice mom

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The kind of kid who knows he's getting a way better education than he'd get at any Ivy.

Our son transferred to Rice from a school that USNWR ranks above all Ivies but HYP. He's getting a much better education at Rice and is way happier. Rice is a gem of a school.

[Anonymous]

I went to Rice in the 80s. Regularly ate with full professors. Had one class with a full prof and two other students - total. Never had a TA teaching a class, just in tutorials.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Our son transferred to Rice from a school that USNWR ranks above all Ivies but HYP. He's getting a much better education at Rice and is way happier. Rice is a gem of a school.

I wonder which school could it be. There's no school above all Ivies but HYP from USNWR.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Our son transferred to Rice from a school that USNWR ranks above all Ivies but HYP. He's getting a much better education at Rice and is way happier. Rice is a gem of a school.

I wonder which school could it be. There's no school above all Ivies but HYP from USNWR.

Stanford