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My initial reservations about Rice (caused by a less-than-stellar experience with an admissions interview scheduler, questions about whether the campus is too formal and conservative, questions about whether the workload would be manageable, questions about whether Rice is a place "where fun goes to die" etc.) are gone, and DD is really, really enjoying her experience there. I just thought I'd post this in case any one else is having those doubts. I'm sure different courses require different amounts of work and different types of work, so this may not hold true for everybody, but DD is busy, enthusiastic and interested in her coursework, is participating in two club sports, and singing with a singing group. She says her O-week (orientation group) is still tight, and they go out to eat together and hang around together some, she's been to several themed parties, many informal get-togethers, a big named concert, and other events. She's finding lots to do, and lots of opportunities including the chance to help a prof do research. She loves it, and thinks the people are great. There is some drinking - like at all schools - but it's handled in an adult fashion, and kids are still serious about their schoolwork - and if you don't want to drink, she says you don't have to, (no pressure, and lots of fun anyway.) Just my kid's experience! We are more than happy with the way it all worked out!

By Bmy (Bmy) on Saturday, September 18, 2004 - 03:57 pm: Edit

My son's also having a good experience. He's making friends, having fun, doing a club sport, and trying out new subjects and activities that he never thought about doing before. He's willing to take new risks in the academic arena because as a first semester freshman, he can drop a course up to the last day of the semester. He says the work's been interesting and manageable so far, and everytime when we speak on the weekends, there are always tons of kids hanging around ready to go off somewhere to do something. So far, so good.

By Wlrsqtr (Wlrsqtr) on Sunday, September 19, 2004 - 01:43 am: Edit

Ds experience is much the same. We are an East Coast, big city family wth a moderate/liberal view and mostly liberal friends. I did have some concerns about sending her to Texas. She loves it. She is singing, involved in 3 clubs and is her college's rep for 2 of them. She has started to explore beyond campus and has already been to the symphony, foreign language plays, and a big ole ranch. She loves the "pubic" parties which fill the quads and the private parties which seem to go on all the time. She also feels no pressure to drink. I'm not sure if she is drinking lightly or not at all. She likes her roommate and her suitemates. She spends most of her time with other college freshman but she is beginning to expand out as she gets to know folks from classes and clubs.
All classes are good to excellet, all profs are smart interesting and approachable. She is working hard but so are her friends. She reports that even the premeds in her chem class work together and are not cut throat or competitive. So far - she is soooo happy.

By Jym626 (Jym626) on Sunday, September 19, 2004 - 05:42 pm: Edit

Sounds like our kids are having similar experiences in their adjustment to college life. My son has joined a few things I might have predicted, and one or two that are a pleasant surprise. Glad to see that he is testing the waters in new and different arenas. He is finding a healthy balance of academics and recreational activities, and sounds like he is forging many new friendships. The classes were a bit bigger than he'd hoped, but that should change as they move up into the higher level courses. I will take the fact that he is usually busy with some activity or another and doesn't have a lot of time to chat as a good thing. Most importantly-- he is happy, even though his bicycle was stolen the first week! I've read a few sad stories on the parents forum of kids having a tough time adjusting, and I am pleased that Rice seems to set a warm, supportive tone to foster the adjustment to college. Oh... and Wlrstr, I assume your note above contained an entertaining typo-- and that your daughter is enjoying the "public" parties!

By Anxiousmom (Anxiousmom) on Monday, September 20, 2004 - 07:36 pm: Edit

(I caught that too! "public" party. Quite an intersesting slip. I think it would apply more to the "Night of Decadence" parties") Re: your son's bike being stolen... did he have a kryptonite lock??? There has been much online posting and also article in the national newspapers about how they can be opened in less than a minute using the shaft of a bic pen. Bikers are outraged, and it has explained a lot of recent thefts. I just sent DD off with a 20+ year Citadel lock (similar to Kryptonite, but shaft is fatter. I guess if the thief has a fatter pen shank it can be unlocked easily also) Luckily bike is only worth about $35.00.
On another subject entirely: DD said that each student can have 3 free massages a year through the health center, including many different styles of massage. Now that is a truly lovely thing! I told her to take advantage of it!
She actually seems unstressed (unlike the last two years of high school.) I'm sure the stress levels will rise and fall, but the balance seems to be good at Rice.

By Pat57575 (Pat57575) on Friday, September 24, 2004 - 02:31 pm: Edit

Wow, three free massages?! I'm a sophomore and somehow that bit of information slipped right by me. The ol freshman got his/her bike stolen within a month of O-week chestnut is unfortunately one of the most popular stories on campus, next to the tale of Willy's statue being turned around. I'm a victim myself. Definitely upgrade from the cable lock if that's what you're using, as thieves are known to hide clippers in long shirt sleeves and snip them in a heartbeat.

I'm glad to hear all the freshmen are doing well. My experience with them so far has been great!

By Sandy (Sandy) on Friday, October 01, 2004 - 09:22 pm: Edit

Hey,
I am a freshman myself and am totally lovin it! As far as I remember, the health rep @ the health meeting said that massages weren't free. They even told the price for each kind. I dunno....maybe they changed the rule ro something. Anyway, HAPPY FALL BREAK!