Anonymous
Post 08/12/2023 18:58     Subject: "like" Rice
Anonymous wrote:When we sat through the Wash U virtual info session, it sounded like most students apply knowing what they want to do as they allow kids to start taking classes in their major right away and have pre-professional programs, etc. Is Rice similar in that manner? Would Rice be ok for a student who is still undecided in terms of major?


I don’t know about Rice, but I think the idea that Wash. U. students all come in knowing what they’ll major in is exaggerated. Wash. U. makes it very easy to change majors and double major. Plenty of kids may come in saying they’ll grow up to do something and then evolve.
Anonymous
Post 08/12/2023 11:09     Subject: "like" Rice
My friend's DD attended Rice and worked an admissions officer there during her gap year before going to Lindon School of Economics for masters. She changed majors twice and said they were very flexible and other than school of music or architecture, you aren't even expected to declare a major until second semester of sophomore year.
Anonymous
Post 08/12/2023 10:40     Subject: "like" Rice
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:When we sat through the Wash U virtual info session, it sounded like most students apply knowing what they want to do as they allow kids to start taking classes in their major right away and have pre-professional programs, etc. Is Rice similar in that manner? Would Rice be ok for a student who is still undecided in terms of major?


Rice is mostly a stem school with poli sci. If your kid doesn’t know that is their area of interest, I would not send them there.


Easier to be admitted if they are interested in humanities, and the professors will give lots of attention!


I know it’s hard to not be a cheerleader for our kids’ schools but there are reasons to avoid the weaker departments at all colleges. Rice is great for stem and one or two other majors.
Anonymous
Post 08/12/2023 10:38     Subject: "like" Rice
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:For the right kid (introvert), I can see residential college being a big plus. But many kids have no problem finding their people
andwould prefer to live with their friends rather than a random community. I’d make sure a residential college is something your kid wants and needs before focusing so narrowly on universities with residential colleges.


Ummm... the "random community" is where you make most of your friends. Although for a very small group of kids, the residential college becomes too small (if roommate conflict, etc.)


At other colleges, most kids do just fine finding their people and living with their friends after freshman year. Personally I wouldn’t want to be forced to live with the same kids year after year, a bit too manufactured and no way of escaping the annoying kids or the kids one thinks is lame. However, I understand it is appealing to a subset of kids and those kids are attracted to Rice
Anonymous
Post 08/12/2023 09:12     Subject: "like" Rice
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:When we sat through the Wash U virtual info session, it sounded like most students apply knowing what they want to do as they allow kids to start taking classes in their major right away and have pre-professional programs, etc. Is Rice similar in that manner? Would Rice be ok for a student who is still undecided in terms of major?


Rice is mostly a stem school with poli sci. If your kid doesn’t know that is their area of interest, I would not send them there.


Easier to be admitted if they are interested in humanities, and the professors will give lots of attention!
Anonymous
Post 08/12/2023 09:10     Subject: "like" Rice
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Most people can't see past Texas's public image. Rice is a liberal school in a liberal city. There is a lot to do, from entertainment to research and internships. Houston has a low cost of living and bright chances for employment with good employers. Go enjoy 4 years, avoid harsh winters (summer months are off anyways) do year round internships and research in nearby hospitals and companies, get employed and then if unhappy, transfer somewhere.


If you don't get that some people don't want to live under draconian abortion laws, or be around people who are holstering guns, or where it is acceptable to chainsaw migrants as they are crossing a river and who are openly suppressing the votes of minority voters...

DP. I understand why people want to avoid living in Texas, but I admire the people who move to Texas and work to change the things you mention. Rice is not monolithically liberal, but it’s primarily so, and students vote in large numbers and go out in droves to help register other voters. My DD and many of her Rice friends also volunteered for the campaigns of local democrats.


This is obnoxious thinking... my DS just graduated from Rice. I would considered your post to be "cultural imperialism." Houston is plenty liberal and international, and doesn't need your missionary efforts. But if someone judges the people of Texas in this way, they shouldn't move there.
Anonymous
Post 08/12/2023 09:07     Subject: "like" Rice
Anonymous wrote:For the right kid (introvert), I can see residential college being a big plus. But many kids have no problem finding their people
andwould prefer to live with their friends rather than a random community. I’d make sure a residential college is something your kid wants and needs before focusing so narrowly on universities with residential colleges.


Ummm... the "random community" is where you make most of your friends. Although for a very small group of kids, the residential college becomes too small (if roommate conflict, etc.)
Anonymous
Post 08/11/2023 23:29     Subject: "like" Rice
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:When we sat through the Wash U virtual info session, it sounded like most students apply knowing what they want to do as they allow kids to start taking classes in their major right away and have pre-professional programs, etc. Is Rice similar in that manner? Would Rice be ok for a student who is still undecided in terms of major?


Rice is mostly a stem school with poli sci. If your kid doesn’t know that is their area of interest, I would not send them there.


I don't agree at all. My kid is at Rice. With the exception of Architecture and the school of Music, students can take classes in any area/major. My kid has stuck with what they came in thinking they would study, but has many friends who explored new interests and are ending up majoring, or double majoring or adding minors or certificates in areas they never considered prior to matriculating at Rice. It's a great place to explore!


I’m glad your kid likes it, but it’s definitely a stem school.
Anonymous
Post 08/11/2023 19:18     Subject: "like" Rice
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:When we sat through the Wash U virtual info session, it sounded like most students apply knowing what they want to do as they allow kids to start taking classes in their major right away and have pre-professional programs, etc. Is Rice similar in that manner? Would Rice be ok for a student who is still undecided in terms of major?


Rice is mostly a stem school with poli sci. If your kid doesn’t know that is their area of interest, I would not send them there.


I don't agree at all. My kid is at Rice. With the exception of Architecture and the school of Music, students can take classes in any area/major. My kid has stuck with what they came in thinking they would study, but has many friends who explored new interests and are ending up majoring, or double majoring or adding minors or certificates in areas they never considered prior to matriculating at Rice. It's a great place to explore!
Anonymous
Post 08/11/2023 17:15     Subject: "like" Rice
OP it's "Buzz Word" not "Buzz Phrase"
Anonymous
Post 08/11/2023 13:13     Subject: "like" Rice
Anonymous wrote:When we sat through the Wash U virtual info session, it sounded like most students apply knowing what they want to do as they allow kids to start taking classes in their major right away and have pre-professional programs, etc. Is Rice similar in that manner? Would Rice be ok for a student who is still undecided in terms of major?


Rice is mostly a stem school with poli sci. If your kid doesn’t know that is their area of interest, I would not send them there.
Anonymous
Post 08/11/2023 12:14     Subject: "like" Rice
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:When we sat through the Wash U virtual info session, it sounded like most students apply knowing what they want to do as they allow kids to start taking classes in their major right away and have pre-professional programs, etc. Is Rice similar in that manner? Would Rice be ok for a student who is still undecided in terms of major?

I don't know about Rice, but just wanted to point out that, as far as I'm aware, it's very easy to change majors, and even schools, at WashU.


That is good to know. We were left with an impression after the info session that students were all ready to jump into their majors/working toward careers right away which isn't the case for us.
Anonymous
Post 08/11/2023 11:43     Subject: "like" Rice
Anonymous wrote:When we sat through the Wash U virtual info session, it sounded like most students apply knowing what they want to do as they allow kids to start taking classes in their major right away and have pre-professional programs, etc. Is Rice similar in that manner? Would Rice be ok for a student who is still undecided in terms of major?

I don't know about Rice, but just wanted to point out that, as far as I'm aware, it's very easy to change majors, and even schools, at WashU.
Anonymous
Post 08/11/2023 11:19     Subject: "like" Rice
When we sat through the Wash U virtual info session, it sounded like most students apply knowing what they want to do as they allow kids to start taking classes in their major right away and have pre-professional programs, etc. Is Rice similar in that manner? Would Rice be ok for a student who is still undecided in terms of major?
Anonymous
Post 08/11/2023 10:16     Subject: "like" Rice
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Most people can't see past Texas's public image. Rice is a liberal school in a liberal city. There is a lot to do, from entertainment to research and internships. Houston has a low cost of living and bright chances for employment with good employers. Go enjoy 4 years, avoid harsh winters (summer months are off anyways) do year round internships and research in nearby hospitals and companies, get employed and then if unhappy, transfer somewhere.


If you don't get that some people don't want to live under draconian abortion laws, or be around people who are holstering guns, or where it is acceptable to chainsaw migrants as they are crossing a river and who are openly suppressing the votes of minority voters...

DP. I understand why people want to avoid living in Texas, but I admire the people who move to Texas and work to change the things you mention. Rice is not monolithically liberal, but it’s primarily so, and students vote in large numbers and go out in droves to help register other voters. My DD and many of her Rice friends also volunteered for the campaigns of local democrats.


The earlier PP's description of TX is so ridiculously uninformed and deeply biased - s/he is part of the problem. Kudos to your DD for being part of the solution! And for being smart enough to recognize that Rice is a fantastic school in a diverse and dynamic place. I'm a blue-state liberal who'd be thrilled to send one of my kids to Rice.