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I've recently visited Duke and Rice and loved them both. I LOVED the residental colleges and community feel at Rice, especially since i go to a small, tightly-knit high school. However, part of me is kind of enticed by the more classic university-type feel of Duke with sororities and frats, huge school rallies and spirit, etc. I'm also considering Dartmouth, which kinda seems like a mix of the two, but while I was there I didn't get the feeling that the students were as happy to be there as those at Rice and Duke were. Its also reeeeally cold there, esp. for an Arizonan. Thoughts???

By Anxiousmom (Anxiousmom) on Saturday, April 24, 2004 - 12:21 pm: Edit

Lots of spirit at Rice, especially for intermurals and baseball. My daughter is anti-frat and sorority, so Duke would not be for my kid. Rice is more inclusive.

By Wlrsqtr (Wlrsqtr) on Saturday, April 24, 2004 - 01:15 pm: Edit

My D has the same decision (narrowed in down to Duke, Dartmouth or Rice and is choosing Rice I think). Sez it is less Frats, likes the residential college a lot. Plenty of school spirit. She thinks the people are friendlier.

By Anxiousmom (Anxiousmom) on Saturday, April 24, 2004 - 05:59 pm: Edit

Rice has better faculty to student ratio (1 to 5 versus 1 to 8) so more attention. Great paid research opportunities and leadership opportunities over the summer (as well as during the school year). I believe if you do the leadership program you can intern w/non-profit orgs and earn $3000., and you can do the same with the summer research programs. Everyone that we know that attended or attends Rice loves it.

By Wobudong (Wobudong) on Sunday, April 25, 2004 - 04:57 pm: Edit

I have a daughter who graduated from Duke and a son who was admitted to Duke but chose Rice. On the basis of our experience I would give the nod to Rice. Although all selective universities claim that professors are accessible, we have found that faculty and administration accessibility is a reality at Rice.

The biggest difference between Rice and other universities is an academic culture that rests on the foundation of the residential college system, cf Yale. Duke is an outstanding university with many brilliant faculty and students. Rice is all of that and a community as well.

By Scetoaux (Scetoaux) on Sunday, April 25, 2004 - 09:45 pm: Edit

Wobudong: Thanks, thats the kind of confirmation that makes me feel good about choosing Rice!

By Ulaia (Ulaia) on Monday, April 26, 2004 - 10:31 pm: Edit

i live down in houston and don't exactly have the same college choices as u...but if i were in ur shoes i'd definitely go with rice. seriously...so many people i know (from previous years and forward) have had the same choice and they chose rice.

By Cynner012 (Cynner012) on Wednesday, April 28, 2004 - 12:07 am: Edit

Thanks for all the input....I'm still kind of undecided, but at least a more informed undecided! one question: the people i stayed with over my visit told me that becuase the residential college system is so strong, you really don't get to know people outside your college very well. does this get confining by senior year?

By Anxiousmom (Anxiousmom) on Wednesday, April 28, 2004 - 11:52 am: Edit

I think if you did find it confining, you would go out of your way to meet people from the other colleges. They are only a few hundred yards away, and play on your club sport teams, or are in your (small) classes.