Rice vs. UVa

sheflowers · 04-01-2006, 02:20 PM

Hi everyone,

I'm looking to decide between Rice and UVa. I was just wondering if anyone had anything to say that could sway me either way.

I'm looking to work hard in college and hopefully pursue a biomedical engineering degree and then go on to Med school. If I am able to, I'd like to pursue a double major with French.

Any suggestions, opinions would be appreciated! Thanks!

Regarding price, Rice would be costing me about $3,000 more each year and so I'm wondering if it would be worth it.

anxiousmom · 04-01-2006, 02:24 PM

I suggest you visit Rice and see how it feels to you. I think you'll get a lot more attention and research opportunities and primo internships at Rice, and the atmosphere is very friendly and supportive. $12,000 more for the opportunities at Rice seem like a reasonable amount. But, you should see for yourself. Can you attend Owl Weekend?

sheflowers · 04-01-2006, 02:41 PM

My parents are unwilling to spend $300 for airfare, so I can't go to Owl Weekend. =/ I know that environment is very important, but honestly, I haven't had a problem adjusting to many places and from what I've seen, the campus looks gorgeous.

Flipsta_G · 04-01-2006, 02:59 PM

Rice is giving me 300 bucks to go to Owl Weekend. Is this only for merit scholarship winners or something? I know it is not based on income or something.

anxiousmom · 04-01-2006, 04:19 PM

Sheflowers, In the scheme of things $300 is not a lot of money to spend to help you make this decision. How can you make a choice without knowing what it is you are choosing? Do you have some savings you could use? Could you split the cost with the parents? Pay them back? If you are choosing between two schools you need the information you will get from visiting! JMHO!

sheflowers · 04-02-2006, 07:31 PM

bump

does anyone have anything that could further help me with my decision between rice and uva? thanks in advance!

dimnar · 04-02-2006, 08:40 PM

UVA is a huge public school, Rice is a small private school. That is a huge difference right htere.

The social environment at Rice is much more intimate. With the residential college system you will be immediately immersed into a tight-knit group which will become your family over the next few years.

Not to mention the caliber of students at Rice is much higher. Not to mention UVA as a public is going to have a large majority of its students from VA. At Rice, ~50% of its students hail from outside of Texas.

I would especially reccomend Rice as you are a engineer and premed. Rice is obviously renowned for engineering and is located across the street from the biggest medical center in the US. It has a ridiculously high percentage of its applicants getting into med school.

cavalier302 · 04-03-2006, 11:05 AM

sheflowers, I strongly considered Rice last spring but ended up choosing UVA. I attended Owl Weekend at Rice and Echols Day on the Lawn at UVA. If you have any specific questions, feel free to ask. I will say that I thoroughly enjoyed Owl Weekend, but Rice was significantly more expensive for me than UVA was going to be.

serge · 04-03-2006, 03:58 PM

honestly i dont see how it can compete with Rice.

cavalier302 · 04-03-2006, 08:19 PM

It can and does in a variety of ways.

sheflowers · 04-10-2006, 10:50 AM

bump (10 characters)

UVa SVT · 04-22-2006, 03:18 AM

I live in Houston. the area around rice ****es me off--traffic, construction, drab/ugly/blah.

it's a good place to get in an accident or contract a disease though, as it's ridiculously close to a number of hospitals in the medical center.

coming from virginia, which gets hot, but not ridiculously hot, are you honestly prepared for the heat of Houston? It's downright oppresive.

Antarius · 04-22-2006, 04:48 AM

living close to a hospital wont make u contract diseases... the air vented out it cleaned thoroughly and Im sure that people dont get diseases. Its dumb as Hospitals would be pushed outta the city if u cure one person and infect 100 more

Both are good places, but I prefer Rice... its that 5:1 ratio and 2800 students that you just cant beat

serge · 04-22-2006, 06:05 PM

UVa ur post is ridiculous...the medical center is not a disease infested rat nest as u made it sound and the heat is not oppresive, it is just higher than you are probably used to but i really like the heat. im from south america so im used to always being in hot climate.

Luxar3000 · 04-22-2006, 06:16 PM

I disagree. the heat is in fact oppressive. but the fact of the matter is, its only really oppressive during your first and last months in class, because you'll be home in the summer. The heat is bad, but not unbearable; I've managed to handle it for 10 years.

And I personally feel the area around Rice is one of the best in Houston. I would recommend Rice if its only going to be $12000 more.