Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:TIL: people have no idea what “residential college” means but that doesn’t stop them from providing their input!

Sorry, OP.

+1. Ignorance never stops posters on DCUM.

There is apparently more than one kind of residential college that have evolved in the US over time, most of which were I believe based on the Oxford model.

I agree it is not the same thing as theme dorms, but I believe the range is wider than you think. It appears that being an ass never stops posters on DCUM either.

That might be apparent to you but not to anybody that knows what they’re talking about but go ahead and rationalize your ignorance. And if by ass you mean pointing out an obvious lack of comprehension that’s fine with me. Frankly you should thank me for educating you rather than wasong your time with some lame retort.

By being an ass I meant someone who could not make their point without making ad hominem attacks. I am sure you understand that.

Again, there are many residential colleges in the US. It is a popular model but OP appears to be looking for a very specific subcategory and you have decided that is all the term refers to and called everyone else names. You really raised the level of discourse with your insight.

Anonymous wrote:Vassar doesn't assign students to colleges they have to stay with all four years, but they also don't have "freshman" dorms. Lots of people chose to live in the same dorm for several years. There are other liberal arts colleges that do something similar.

If you like the idea of residential colleges, also look for schools that don't have freshman dorms and you will get a similar effect.

I went to a school that didn't have freshmen-only dorms and that was great, but it's nothing like Rice's residential college system, which I'm familiar with as a Rice parent. The residential colleges at Rice -- and, yes, I know that other schools have similar systems in name, at least -- are really cohesive and create a "home away from home" for Rice students. The magisters-- faculty and administrators who preside over the colleges and live in or nearby with their families -- are remarkable in their devotion to and concern for the students. And, equally important, the residential colleges are places for students to hang out and have fun together -- they provide a framework for inclusive socializing. In this last respect, Rice is different from Princeton, where many students are in selective eating clubs.

Anonymous wrote:Rice only has like 5000 undergrads and most juniors and seniors live off campus. Not sure why they need 11 residential colleges.

I feel like this would work better at large universities.

Actually, at Rice most juniors live off campus; many of them are studying abroad. Most seniors live on campus. The residential college system works great -- as any Rice alum will tell you.

Anonymous wrote:Rice only has like 5000 undergrads and most juniors and seniors live off campus. Not sure why they need 11 residential colleges.

I feel like this would work better at large universities.

75% of students live on campus at Rice.

It works wonderfully well at Rice. See this video for how important the residential colleges are to the students: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92bRToje8xk

Anonymous wrote:Michigan State has Residential Colleges

http://residentialcolleges.msu.edu

They are kids being placed within their academic interests. There are only 3 and it is optional. A very small percentage of students.

Rice only has like 5000 undergrads and most juniors and seniors live off campus. Not sure why they need 11 residential colleges.

I feel like this would work better at large universities.

OP here. Sorry if I wasn't clear. I'm not talking about schools where you have to opt in to the residential colleges, or themed living communities where you live with people of your major/interests/etc.
This is how Rice does it, and what DD liked:

Undergraduate life at Rice University differs from that at many universities because of Rice's tradition of residential colleges. Before matriculating, each of the university's undergraduates becomes a member of one of 11 residential colleges, which have their own dining halls, public rooms, and dorms on campus; most of the first-year students and about 75 percent of all undergraduates reside at their associated colleges.

Because each student is randomly assigned to one of the colleges, and maintains membership in the same college throughout their undergraduate years, the colleges are enriched by the diversity of their students' backgrounds, academic interests and experiences, talents, and goals.

A faculty magister, who is assigned to each college and lives in an adjacent house, helps cultivate a variety of cultural and intellectual interests among the students, as well as supporting an effective system of self-government. Other faculty or members of the community serve as associates to individual colleges.

The experience of college residence is indispensable to conveying the rich flavor of academic life at Rice, allowing students to combine their usual studies with an array of social events, intramural sports, student plays, lecture series, innovative college-designed courses, and an active role in student government.

Listed below, in order of founding, are Rice’s 11 residential colleges.

WHAT IS A RESIDENTIAL COLLEGE?

Residential colleges at offer the best of both worlds: the finest qualities of small liberal arts colleges combined with the energy and resources of a large research university. These living-learning communities unite students with similar interests in designated residence halls which create distinctive educational atmospheres. Faculty offices, academic advisors, classrooms, labs, libraries, and galleries are also located in these buildings giving students unique access to campus resources and creating a learning environment that transcends classroom walls.

Michigan State has Residential Colleges

http://residentialcolleges.msu.edu

Here's the background on the Princeton system: https://odoc.princeton.edu/about/residential-colleges

Anonymous wrote:It's my understanding that at Rice the residential colleges are guaranteed for 3 of 4 years.

That's correct, though if you get a high number in the lottery, you can stay for all 4. Otherwise, depending on the college, you'll be off campus either your sophomore or junior year.

It's my understanding that at Rice the residential colleges are guaranteed for 3 of 4 years.