How similar or different is Duke compared to Rice?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The amount of misinformation and childish angst in this thread is off the charts. Wow.

I'm a Duke alum. Trying to figure out Rice as I think it could be a great option as well for my child.

In comparing the two states, NC is more purple than Texas, though Houston is definitely very blue. However, Texas state government is trying to impose its crazy on the rest of the state more than what is happening in NC, though it is definitely also happening in NC. But there are some Dems in power in NC which help a bit.

But Texas is just also a lot further away. Harder to visit. Harder to get home for a quick break.

Duke has a contingent of super fratty types, but it is maybe 15%? It has a larger contingent of striver nerds than it used to. Contrary to stereotypes, Duke used to have a lot of very smart but not cutthroat types who liked sports, were social, but not fratty though some were in frats (this describes me and most of my friends). This type has largely been squeezed out by Asians and low income (there were lots of Asians when I was there but they were more assimilated).

You don’t have access to planes? A ticket to Houston is cheaper than a ticket to Durham.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The amount of misinformation and childish angst in this thread is off the charts. Wow.

I'm a Duke alum. Trying to figure out Rice as I think it could be a great option as well for my child.

In comparing the two states, NC is more purple than Texas, though Houston is definitely very blue. However, Texas state government is trying to impose its crazy on the rest of the state more than what is happening in NC, though it is definitely also happening in NC. But there are some Dems in power in NC which help a bit.

But Texas is just also a lot further away. Harder to visit. Harder to get home for a quick break.

Duke has a contingent of super fratty types, but it is maybe 15%? It has a larger contingent of striver nerds than it used to. Contrary to stereotypes, Duke used to have a lot of very smart but not cutthroat types who liked sports, were social, but not fratty though some were in frats (this describes me and most of my friends). This type has largely been squeezed out by Asians and low income (there were lots of Asians when I was there but they were more assimilated).

You don’t have access to planes? A ticket to Houston is cheaper than a ticket to Durham.

Durham is an easy drive from DC. Houston is not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The amount of misinformation and childish angst in this thread is off the charts. Wow.

I'm a Duke alum. Trying to figure out Rice as I think it could be a great option as well for my child.

In comparing the two states, NC is more purple than Texas, though Houston is definitely very blue. However, Texas state government is trying to impose its crazy on the rest of the state more than what is happening in NC, though it is definitely also happening in NC. But there are some Dems in power in NC which help a bit.

But Texas is just also a lot further away. Harder to visit. Harder to get home for a quick break.

Duke has a contingent of super fratty types, but it is maybe 15%? It has a larger contingent of striver nerds than it used to. Contrary to stereotypes, Duke used to have a lot of very smart but not cutthroat types who liked sports, were social, but not fratty though some were in frats (this describes me and most of my friends). This type has largely been squeezed out by Asians and low income (there were lots of Asians when I was there but they were more assimilated).

You don’t have access to planes? A ticket to Houston is cheaper than a ticket to Durham.

Durham is an easy drive from DC. Houston is not.

Thank you. Really not that hard. Easier to do a 4 hour ride home for Thanksgiving than dealing with the crazy airports. Jeez.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The amount of misinformation and childish angst in this thread is off the charts. Wow.

I'm a Duke alum. Trying to figure out Rice as I think it could be a great option as well for my child.

In comparing the two states, NC is more purple than Texas, though Houston is definitely very blue. However, Texas state government is trying to impose its crazy on the rest of the state more than what is happening in NC, though it is definitely also happening in NC. But there are some Dems in power in NC which help a bit.

But Texas is just also a lot further away. Harder to visit. Harder to get home for a quick break.

Duke has a contingent of super fratty types, but it is maybe 15%? It has a larger contingent of striver nerds than it used to. Contrary to stereotypes, Duke used to have a lot of very smart but not cutthroat types who liked sports, were social, but not fratty though some were in frats (this describes me and most of my friends). This type has largely been squeezed out by Asians and low income (there were lots of Asians when I was there but they were more assimilated).

Really? Your racism is really showing. Are you indicating the white culture is the superior one so that people need to assimilate? Disgusting!

I’m not PP, but I’ve always understood “assimilate” to refer to joining the culture of the majority. No reference to whether it is superior, inferior, or neutral.

I say this as a Jew whose family assimilated over generations into the majority culture of this country without regard to whether it was “superior”, whatever that means. 🙄

Thank you. Well put. Others are just looking for something to be angry about. Lots of Asians still self-segregate at top colleges. Don't think this is the goal. They are doing no one a favor. Not themselves. Not the rest of the student body.

And again, there are many who don't do this and blend in great. Yet still maintain a pride in their heritage. As they should. But there are too many who don't.

My observation is white people self segregate more than Asians at top colleges. Not sure why you singled out Asians for this unless you’re trying to push some narratives here.

I think this PP was trying to imply that white people are the superior group in this country and therefore if you don’t mingle with them, it’s your fault. If they don’t want to mingle with you, it’s still your fault because they’re the mainstream.
This person screams a white supremacist thug.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The amount of misinformation and childish angst in this thread is off the charts. Wow.

I'm a Duke alum. Trying to figure out Rice as I think it could be a great option as well for my child.

In comparing the two states, NC is more purple than Texas, though Houston is definitely very blue. However, Texas state government is trying to impose its crazy on the rest of the state more than what is happening in NC, though it is definitely also happening in NC. But there are some Dems in power in NC which help a bit.

But Texas is just also a lot further away. Harder to visit. Harder to get home for a quick break.

Duke has a contingent of super fratty types, but it is maybe 15%? It has a larger contingent of striver nerds than it used to. Contrary to stereotypes, Duke used to have a lot of very smart but not cutthroat types who liked sports, were social, but not fratty though some were in frats (this describes me and most of my friends). This type has largely been squeezed out by Asians and low income (there were lots of Asians when I was there but they were more assimilated).

Really? Your racism is really showing. Are you indicating the white culture is the superior one so that people need to assimilate? Disgusting!

I’m not PP, but I’ve always understood “assimilate” to refer to joining the culture of the majority. No reference to whether it is superior, inferior, or neutral.

I say this as a Jew whose family assimilated over generations into the majority culture of this country without regard to whether it was “superior”, whatever that means. 🙄

Thank you. Well put. Others are just looking for something to be angry about. Lots of Asians still self-segregate at top colleges. Don't think this is the goal. They are doing no one a favor. Not themselves. Not the rest of the student body.

And again, there are many who don't do this and blend in great. Yet still maintain a pride in their heritage. As they should. But there are too many who don't.

My observation is white people self segregate more than Asians at top colleges. Not sure why you singled out Asians for this unless you’re trying to push some narratives here.

I think this PP was trying to imply that white people are the superior group in this country and therefore if you don’t mingle with them, it’s your fault. If they don’t want to mingle with you, it’s still your fault because they’re the mainstream.
This person screams a white supremacist thug.

Majority. Not superior. Huge difference. But you keep looking for reasons to be angry.

[Anonymous]

In terms of campus feel, the two schools that are the most similar to Rice are Emory and Wash U. I don’t want to get into a debate and the relative prestige of those schools as happens on every thread. But those two “feel” like Rice when you visit.

All three schools are in cities and have campuses that are nice and student bodies that lean toward quiet and more “nerdy,” and I don’t mean that in a negative way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In terms of campus feel, the two schools that are the most similar to Rice are Emory and Wash U. I don’t want to get into a debate and the relative prestige of those schools as happens on every thread. But those two “feel” like Rice when you visit.

All three schools are in cities and have campuses that are nice and student bodies that lean toward quiet and more “nerdy,” and I don’t mean that in a negative way.

I agree, all also have strong premed programs. Pick one and ED.

[Anonymous]

To the OP's original question, one of the key differences between Rice and Duke is that Rice kids are assigned to residential colleges and affiliated with them all four years. This means there is a lot of mixing between freshmen and seniors and everything in between - because the kids are all living and eating and socializing together. And there's no Greek life.

At Duke, freshmen are all together on their East Campus, which is a pretty different social/living environment than Rice's.

Just something to think about in terms of the experience.

[Anonymous]

Rice is a Division 1 NCAA school with nationally competitive baseball and swim teams, and there is a lot of attendance and spirit around football as well. This makes it a meaningfully different vibe that Wash U and Emory and the residential colleges are a major difference too. Talk to people with kids there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To the OP's original question, one of the key differences between Rice and Duke is that Rice kids are assigned to residential colleges and affiliated with them all four years. This means there is a lot of mixing between freshmen and seniors and everything in between - because the kids are all living and eating and socializing together. And there's no Greek life.

At Duke, freshmen are all together on their East Campus, which is a pretty different social/living environment than Rice's.

Just something to think about in terms of the experience.

Doesn't Duke have residential colleges now? Or did they end that experiment?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Rice is a Division 1 NCAA school with nationally competitive baseball and swim teams, and there is a lot of attendance and spirit around football as well. This makes it a meaningfully different vibe that Wash U and Emory and the residential colleges are a major difference too. Talk to people with kids there.

These are minute differences. On the whole, these schools are very similar. OP’s dd should learn about all three and pick the one she likes best.

[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.

I went to UNC for undergrad and Duke for grad school and the entire Durham and Chapel Hill areas are solidly, solidly blue. The whole triangle area also has more phds per capita than almost anywhere in the country (Boston area may have even more).

As for the personality of the school it depends on the major. I went to the School of the Environment at Duke and it was very outdoorsy/brainy and fun/nerdy. The business school much less so. If it helps I’m nerdy/brainy and my 2 yrs at Duke were absolutely amazing. 20 yrs later I’m still meeting up with classmates and also networking for work with them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone have insight on Rice vs. Hopkins? They seem similarly nerdy and STEM-focused. Both lack a big sports culture and are located in cities that are not a draw for kids. What is the East Coast version of Rice?

Hopkins and Rice are very similar

Hopkins is so much worse student culture wise. Campus doesn’t feel at all intellectual, just grindy Asian and competitive. Rice is friendly, dedicated, and collaborative.

“Grindy Asian”? Come on. We can do better here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone have insight on Rice vs. Hopkins? They seem similarly nerdy and STEM-focused. Both lack a big sports culture and are located in cities that are not a draw for kids. What is the East Coast version of Rice?

Hopkins and Rice are very similar

Hopkins is so much worse student culture wise. Campus doesn’t feel at all intellectual, just grindy Asian and competitive. Rice is friendly, dedicated, and collaborative.

“Grindy Asian”? Come on. We can do better here.

Historically Rice has a larger Asian population than Hopkins (more than 30 percent compared to 25 percent). Hopkins had a huge jump in its last incoming class, but my guess is that they will try to admit classes more aligned with their historical numbers going forward.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone have insight on Rice vs. Hopkins? They seem similarly nerdy and STEM-focused. Both lack a big sports culture and are located in cities that are not a draw for kids. What is the East Coast version of Rice?

Hopkins and Rice are very similar

Hopkins is so much worse student culture wise. Campus doesn’t feel at all intellectual, just grindy Asian and competitive. Rice is friendly, dedicated, and collaborative.

“Grindy Asian”? Come on. We can do better here.

Typical white people mentality: copium. It’s not because I’m dumber, I just didn’t work hard enough. In reality, the intellectual levels are no contest.