How similar or different is Duke compared to Rice?

[Anonymous]

DD really likes Rice for the STEM rigor, research opportunities, nice balance of slightly nerdy student vibe mixed with a fun (not fueled by heavy partying) and collaborative campus culture, but she doesn’t want to live in Texas. A science kid, high stats top rigor from a private that sends kid to both schools. Great ECs. Would Duke be similar to Rice academically and just as supportive, collaborative and fun or if it a lot less nerdy and more fratty?

What other high reach schools are like Rice but not in Texas? Narrowing down ED options. Not applying to HYP due to unhooked.

[Anonymous]

If she eschews Texas because it is a red state and abortion laws and etc. - like many 17 year old girls do - she needs to understand that North Carolina is the South. With a republican legislature and restrictive abortion laws.

[Anonymous]

Following because my kid also really likes Rice but doesn't want to be in Texas (or anywhere in the south/where it gets too hot). We're all also looking at SLACs.

[Anonymous]

Cornell?

[Anonymous]

Duke is more fun and less “nerdy” although I don’t know the exact definition of nerdy.
It’s also harder to get into.

[Anonymous]

They are very similar. I think Rice is an easier admit. Neither university is a bastion of diversity though. Both lean conservative and both located in MAGA dominated state legislatures.

In such states usually the most liberal place in the state is the flagship university.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They are very similar. I think Rice is an easier admit. Neither university is a bastion of diversity though. Both lean conservative and both located in MAGA dominated state legislatures.

In such states usually the most liberal place in the state is the flagship university.

Almost everything in this post is wrong.

Rice is quite diverse (more so than Harvard and most of the Ivy League for example).

Rice student body is also quite liberal—well over 50%, with a very small number identifying as conservative.

[Anonymous]

Duke is much less fratty and much more nerdy than the outdated 80s/90s stereotype.

It is, however, extremely hard to get into.

[Anonymous]

Rice is better for premed. Campus is nice but Houston is an urban hellhole. Duke is a harder admit. Heavy on the bball kool aid.

[Anonymous]

Never in my life have I heard of rice as a conservative school. I understand that moms here feel morally superior for not living in a state like Texas, and it’s not in great shape now, but rice is undoubtedly progressive.

[Anonymous]

Duke is a tier above Rice in terms of selectivity.

[Anonymous]

There are far fewer a-holes at Rice than at Dook. Your daughter might consider looking at Vandy, Tulane and Emory if the South (ex. Texas) is a draw. Otherwise, perhaps a NESCAC or other SLAC?

[Anonymous]

They are not similar regarding students. Rice is more progressive than Duke which is like Dartmouth in the South. Duke is also more competitive for acceptance for unhooked.

[Anonymous]

They are equally good or equally bad depending on your perspective. I’d pick Rice if had a choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are far fewer a-holes at Rice than at Dook. Your daughter might consider looking at Vandy, Tulane and Emory if the South (ex. Texas) is a draw. Otherwise, perhaps a NESCAC or other SLAC?

+1

Duke leads the nation in number of enrolled a-holes.