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Does it matter if you are truly undecided about a major at Rice? I have a son looking at service academies and Rice is on his list too. Any thoughts about being far from home...Houston is a long way away? Is there a lot to do on weekends if you don't get to go home often. I know many hail from Texas. Is there transportation to the airport from campus?

Many Thanks!

By Wlrsqtr (Wlrsqtr) on Wednesday, June 23, 2004 - 10:11 pm: Edit

Well I hope it is really okay to be undecided about majors and to be far from home because that will be my daughters situation in a just a few weeks. It looks like the advising is strong and moving around between schools/majors/advisors pretty easy. I have read some correspondance between my daughter and a current Rice student who went to her high school discussing similar topics and my daughter attended the admitted student weekend> There seems to be alot going on on campus as far as she can gather (she seems to have a list of the things she knows she wants to do) and it is the 4th largest city in the country and located near museums etc so there are lots of things going on. For admitted student weekend transportation was provided. I will be going with her to orientation and we are renting a car. But the residential college web site says there is a courtesy bus to the marriot (1 block from campus) for 15 to 20 dollars depending on airport. the light rail that just opened is supposed to eventually go to the airport but who knows when that will be. I haven't seen anything on cabs but they must exist right?. If you are sending him up for a look prior to applying I would call the admisions office for additiional transportation info.

By Anxiousmom (Anxiousmom) on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 06:36 pm: Edit

My understanding is that kids don't go home on weekends. This is Texas and it takes a LONG time to get from city to city! DD went to Owl weekend and found it easy to get to the nearby shopping center (a really neat place full of restaurants and stores) by walking. Re: undecided majors - many double major and or change majors. Not a problem unless you are a music major or architecture major, I think.

By Juniormom (Juniormom) on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 06:57 pm: Edit

That's reassuring. We're planning a fall visit. I know it's hard to get into Rice but after looking at service academies, the application process at least looks pretty easy. I wonder how many come from far away and how often they get home? It's a lot to think about going from being at home to 1500-2000 miles away. How about Houston...is it a safe place to be?

By Wobudong (Wobudong) on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 07:17 pm: Edit

We live about 1500 miles north of Houston and find that it is easier to get to than many schools that are much closer, as long as you are willing to fly. Our daughter went to school in NC, an eight hour drive with fewer airline options. A three hour flight beats an eight hour drive. Being the 4th largest city and the second largest port, Houston has excellent connections and, if you plan in advance, reasonable airfares. The main difference in going far is you to buy your stuff at the Wal-Mart in Houston vs the Wal-Mart in your home town. The campus and immediate vicinity are as safe as anywhere.

By Sdrew (Sdrew) on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 08:05 pm: Edit

My son will be attending in the fall. We live about 8 hours away by car, so he probably won't be coming home too often. But Houston Hobby is very close (Houston Intl. is on the north side of town). I think you can get some very reasonable rates out of Houston. I have heard that there is plenty to do on campus.

By Wlrsqtr (Wlrsqtr) on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 11:00 pm: Edit

We are on the East coast so it is all airplanes. I had no problem getting D cheap tickets at the last minute for Owl weekend or now for orientation (discount airlines in our area but not out of the most convenient airport). I did however just make reservations for Thanksgiving (planning ahead for once). I think that is the only reservation that needs to be made in advance to get a direct flight at reasonable rate. We should never have an outragous rate even for last minute tickets if required because discount airlines do our route.
The first year we will be spending a lot on transportation because neither my husband nor I have seen the school so we are both flying her out there and then will go out for parents weekend. D will fly home for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and hopefully for spring break and summer. Her flights are pretty cheap so far. Future years who knows. D says some students go to local students or professors houses for Thanksgiving dinner but we want her home at least this year.