Anonymous
Post 05/19/2026 22:39     Subject: How similar or different is Duke compared to Rice?

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
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.


They really aren't that similar. Rice is leaps ahead in STEM and pre-med. And holds it's own in social sciences and humanities. It's basically MIT-lite but with a nicer campus and better weather - except September, which sucks in Houston. We visited WashU, but not Emory. Very different vibes. WashU is very pleasant. But at Rice you will be working. It's a best and brightest brainiac school. Very diverse.

Seems very different than Duke, which is probably better if you want to go into investment banking or Wall Street. That is typically not a Rice student's ambition. More a doctor, engineer, scientist, professor thing at Rice.


Rice isn’t leaps and bounds better than Emory and Wash U. I have no ties to any of these schools — they are peer schools. All three take kids outside the top 20 percent of the class at our private ED. All three have strong premed. All three have quirky kids and mediocre sports. Pick your poison.
Anonymous
Post 05/19/2026 21:33     Subject: How similar or different is Duke compared to Rice?

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:There are a shit ton of Rice grads in the DMV and I know many. They are all smart, accomplished and friendly people, and they al all liberal. How on earth did a poster get the idea that it’s a school with a conservative bent? It’s exactly the opposite. It’s super progressive.

As far as academics are concerned, I don’t care how it’s ranked compared to Duke—it’s a peer school without question. And get real, it’s definitely better than Emory.

You saying it needs proof. Which you obviously dont have. Emory is better for anything health and business
Emorys global ranking is 69, Rice is 219. Global rankings are academic rankings only, no Pell or test scores just academic ratings.


Those rankings are bullshit especially when it comes to undergraduate education. Here’s a suggestion: as a Duke professor if they consider it a peer. Then get back to me.

So the global ranking is BS when Emory is ahead (by 200 spots) but the undergrad ranking is accurate when Rice is ahead ( by 7 spots).


In a word, yes. I didn't say all rankings were bullshit. I said those rankings were bullshit. You can't compare a Chinese university to a US one, for example.

Whatever makes you feel better. One ranking is solely a reputation ranking by academics, take that for what it may.
Anonymous
Post 05/19/2026 21:15     Subject: How similar or different is Duke compared to Rice?

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:There are a shit ton of Rice grads in the DMV and I know many. They are all smart, accomplished and friendly people, and they al all liberal. How on earth did a poster get the idea that it’s a school with a conservative bent? It’s exactly the opposite. It’s super progressive.

As far as academics are concerned, I don’t care how it’s ranked compared to Duke—it’s a peer school without question. And get real, it’s definitely better than Emory.

You saying it needs proof. Which you obviously dont have. Emory is better for anything health and business
Emorys global ranking is 69, Rice is 219. Global rankings are academic rankings only, no Pell or test scores just academic ratings.


Those rankings are bullshit especially when it comes to undergraduate education. Here’s a suggestion: as a Duke professor if they consider it a peer. Then get back to me.

So the global ranking is BS when Emory is ahead (by 200 spots) but the undergrad ranking is accurate when Rice is ahead ( by 7 spots).


In a word, yes. I didn't say all rankings were bullshit. I said those rankings were bullshit. You can't compare a Chinese university to a US one, for example.
Anonymous
Post 05/19/2026 20:26     Subject: How similar or different is Duke compared to Rice?

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:There are a shit ton of Rice grads in the DMV and I know many. They are all smart, accomplished and friendly people, and they al all liberal. How on earth did a poster get the idea that it’s a school with a conservative bent? It’s exactly the opposite. It’s super progressive.

As far as academics are concerned, I don’t care how it’s ranked compared to Duke—it’s a peer school without question. And get real, it’s definitely better than Emory.

You saying it needs proof. Which you obviously dont have. Emory is better for anything health and business
Emorys global ranking is 69, Rice is 219. Global rankings are academic rankings only, no Pell or test scores just academic ratings.


Those rankings are bullshit especially when it comes to undergraduate education. Here’s a suggestion: as a Duke professor if they consider it a peer. Then get back to me.

So the global ranking is BS when Emory is ahead (by 200 spots) but the undergrad ranking is accurate when Rice is ahead ( by 7 spots).
Anonymous
Post 05/19/2026 20:22     Subject: How similar or different is Duke compared to Rice?

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:There are a shit ton of Rice grads in the DMV and I know many. They are all smart, accomplished and friendly people, and they al all liberal. How on earth did a poster get the idea that it’s a school with a conservative bent? It’s exactly the opposite. It’s super progressive.

As far as academics are concerned, I don’t care how it’s ranked compared to Duke—it’s a peer school without question. And get real, it’s definitely better than Emory.

You saying it needs proof. Which you obviously dont have. Emory is better for anything health and business
Emorys global ranking is 69, Rice is 219. Global rankings are academic rankings only, no Pell or test scores just academic ratings.


Those rankings are bullshit especially when it comes to undergraduate education. Here’s a suggestion: as a Duke professor if they consider it a peer. Then get back to me.

Moving the goal post? And your not a god damn professor. Not with your vocabulary.
And both schools consider each other peers...
https://www.chronicle.com/article/who-does-your-college-think-its-peers-are
Although Emory as a whole is better academically, and ranked higher in more subjects. Rice benefits from the STEM boom since 2000. Emory will benefit from the medical boom of the next 20 years.
Anonymous
Post 05/19/2026 20:16     Subject: How similar or different is Duke compared to Rice?

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote: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.
University of Rochester


Excellent suggestion for a target school for a kid who has the stats to legit reach for Duke and likes the vibe of Rice but prefers to be in a blue state.

The kids we know at University of Rochester are very, very happy. Smart, interesting, and social. But not your stereotypical fratty types. It’s a great school.

Anonymous
Post 05/19/2026 20:11     Subject: How similar or different is Duke compared to Rice?

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.


You “think” PP was “trying” to “imply”???

By including three hedge words in a single claim, you make it clear that you are speculating / making up stories about PP’s intent.

Please stop.
Anonymous
Post 05/19/2026 15:11     Subject: How similar or different is Duke compared to Rice?

Anonymous wrote:
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.


They really aren't that similar. Rice is leaps ahead in STEM and pre-med. And holds it's own in social sciences and humanities. It's basically MIT-lite but with a nicer campus and better weather - except September, which sucks in Houston. We visited WashU, but not Emory. Very different vibes. WashU is very pleasant. But at Rice you will be working. It's a best and brightest brainiac school. Very diverse.

Seems very different than Duke, which is probably better if you want to go into investment banking or Wall Street. That is typically not a Rice student's ambition. More a doctor, engineer, scientist, professor thing at Rice.
Anonymous
Post 05/19/2026 15:00     Subject: How similar or different is Duke compared to Rice?

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I have kid at Rice. The residential college system is a HUGE part of what makes Rice so unique. You're not getting that at Hopkins or Duke.

To the poster above who suggested W&M, I agree that they are a similar blend of nerdy/friendly.

Re: Texas avoidance. I don't love Texas, but the weather during the academic year is actually kind of awesome and my super liberal kid is managing ok.


Rice parent here. yes, the residential college system is taken so seriously-they start from orientation week to the graduation walk. It builds for such special community.


My DC who transferred out of Rice said that the residental college system was very socially isolating. As in, not much social interaction with kids in other RCs. So if you don’t click with the others in your RC, you’re screwed.
Anonymous
Post 05/19/2026 14:58     Subject: How similar or different is Duke compared to Rice?

Anonymous wrote:I have kid at Rice. The residential college system is a HUGE part of what makes Rice so unique. You're not getting that at Hopkins or Duke.

To the poster above who suggested W&M, I agree that they are a similar blend of nerdy/friendly.

Re: Texas avoidance. I don't love Texas, but the weather during the academic year is actually kind of awesome and my super liberal kid is managing ok.


Rice parent here. yes, the residential college system is taken so seriously-they start from orientation week to the graduation walk. It builds for such special community.
Anonymous
Post 05/19/2026 14:52     Subject: How similar or different is Duke compared to Rice?

Anonymous wrote: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.
University of Rochester
Anonymous
Post 05/19/2026 14:47     Subject: How similar or different is Duke compared to Rice?

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:There are a shit ton of Rice grads in the DMV and I know many. They are all smart, accomplished and friendly people, and they al all liberal. How on earth did a poster get the idea that it’s a school with a conservative bent? It’s exactly the opposite. It’s super progressive.

As far as academics are concerned, I don’t care how it’s ranked compared to Duke—it’s a peer school without question. And get real, it’s definitely better than Emory.

You saying it needs proof. Which you obviously dont have. Emory is better for anything health and business
Emorys global ranking is 69, Rice is 219. Global rankings are academic rankings only, no Pell or test scores just academic ratings.


Those rankings are bullshit especially when it comes to undergraduate education. Here’s a suggestion: as a Duke professor if they consider it a peer. Then get back to me.
Anonymous
Post 05/19/2026 14:44     Subject: Re:How similar or different is Duke compared to Rice?

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
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.


Oh it’s you. The poster always rambling about low IQ that can’t even type grammatically coherent posts.

Not me. They were probably not wrong.
Anonymous
Post 05/19/2026 14:31     Subject: Re:How similar or different is Duke compared to Rice?

Type 1:

smart but not cutthroat, like sports, social but not fratty


Type 2:

Asians and low income


I'll have to explain this to my low-income smart, social kid headed to Duke in the fall. Pick a team, kiddo!
Anonymous
Post 05/19/2026 14:22     Subject: Re:How similar or different is Duke compared to Rice?

Anonymous wrote:
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.


Oh it’s you. The poster always rambling about low IQ that can’t even type grammatically coherent posts.