I really liked Rice when we went to visit it. Since we are in NYC, my kids did not even apply to Columbia but very few kids who went there liked it. You have to like the Core. Amherst is too small and remote but has a great reputation and I know many who should pick it over Rice. It is worth visiting all three because they are very different schools.

We visited Columbia recently. It seemed like a very stressful place. So many smokers too, which was weird. I personally like the core curriculum, but it's not for everyone. Would definitely suggest spending a couple of days hanging around campus before deciding.

Anyone that gets into Columbia, Rice, and Amherst will do fine in life. So it's more about vibe. I liked Rice a lot. The residential college system is great. Beautiful, leafy campus in a nice part of town. Good weather for most of the school year. It leans STEM, but it's solid in almost all areas. Sports management and architecture are very good. I think it'd be a good place to go to college.

Never visited Amherst. But I recall reading about the divide between athletes and non-athletes. Seems to be an issue at a lot of smaller schools.

Honestly, I’d say Rice. Columbia is better for graduate school and Amherst has always creeped me out (once preppy school that’s now super liberal but with no clear sense of its purpose any longer). If you’ve never visited before Rice will upend your expectations about what a school in Texas is like and it’s a nice size when it comes to undergraduates - about the same as Dartmouth.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How is this a ?

Rice is in Texas.

Before Republicans went insane sure awesome choice now.

Hell no.

Wow! Just shows how democrats are the most biased of all people.

I am a hard-core Democrat who is disgusted by anyone who supports today's Republican party. My first choice among these 3 schools is Rice, hands down. So I guess you don't know as much about Democrats as you think you do.

Rice or Amherst - both great schools. Do they want a city to play in or rural?

Because if your DC really wanted NYC They would have picked Columbia outright.

Does your child want or need a smaller environment? Amherst
Are they highly competitive and not unfazed by the bustle and dirt of a large city? Columbia

Rice is a great school but being from our area I personally would rank that last

Anonymous wrote:Would highly discourage Columbia. I graduated from there 8 years ago and almost everyone I know regrets going there for undergrad

I hear this quite a bit

Anonymous wrote:How is this a ?

Rice is in Texas.

Before Republicans went insane sure awesome choice now.

Hell no.

Wow! Just shows how democrats are the most biased of all people.

Anonymous wrote:Would highly discourage Columbia. I graduated from there 8 years ago and almost everyone I know regrets going there for undergrad

Why?

Would highly discourage Columbia. I graduated from there 8 years ago and almost everyone I know regrets going there for undergrad

Ignore the PP. Rice is an amazing school. I'm a lifelong Northeast corridor person but spent a few years in TX and I'd happily send a kid to Rice. Beautiful campus, a great size and nice mix of STEM and liberal arts. Right next to MD Anderson. And there are tons of opportunities in TX. Houston is incredibly diverse and much more international than most people realize. The weather is horrendous in the summer, but that wouldn't impact the academic calendar.

Amherst and Columbia are also amazing of course. They are three very different campus experiences - Ivy League major university/NYC vs. a SALC in smallish town Western Mass with the benefit of a larger consortium with UMass, Smith etc. Or a mid-size university in a booming TX city. If your DC hasn't visited, they should - fit really matters. And the great thing is that they literally have only great options! Congratulations!

Amherst without question!

How is this a ?

Rice is in Texas.

Before Republicans went insane sure awesome choice now.

Hell no.

All great schools. Experience is very individual based so hard to say. In terms of after-college, you should google "college with happiest alumni" Usually Amherst comes out on the top (of the 3). Columbia the lowest alumni satisfaction

Thoughts? DC is fine in any environment. Trying to weigh a good college experience with strong after-college opportunities.