| Berkeley's College of Chemistry is a 6 building mini-campus. It only houses chemistry, chemical engineering, and chemical biology majors, so it provides a smaller college atmosphere in a larger university setting.
The lower division math and science courses will be large and competitive.
Chem majors have their own chemistry classes...just for College of Chemisty majors. The courses go into greater depth and are smaller than the general chemistry courses.
You can get research opportunities, but you need to actively seek these out as an undergraduate. At a larger school, you can be the anonymous kid that only comes to class on test days and sets the curve, or you can be an active participant. Berkeley will not hold your hand and guide you, so you need to have sort of an independent spirit.
Berkeley's College of Chemistry is tops. The place oozes history. Plutonium was discovered in a lab of Gilman Hall (chemical engineering building). The faculty is phenomenal. Berkelelium and Californium on the periodic table are a testament to its strength.
Rice is very good. Houston weather sucks compared to San Francisco. The school is much smaller, and you'll get much more personalized attention. If this appeals to you, Rice might be the choice for you. | 
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