Visit Report by dally (Member since January 16 2006 with 412 posts) Visit Date - October 2006
Visit to Rice University in October 2006 by dally (Student, HS Class of 2006)
Visit Activities:
Admissions Interview:
Yes - Well, it was actually a senior at Rice. But I think it went really well! She was quite nice and friendly. I think it's easier - talking to a student vs. an adcom member. Information Session:
Yes - Very similar to what I saw at the info session back home. Still kinda cool, though. It was supposed to be exactly 1 hour, but it ran a little over, so don't schedule things too tightly! Campus Tour:
Yes - They didn't show us a whole lot of the campus... but we did get to go inside an actual dorm room! That's a first for me, and I've been on 4 college tours. Classroom Visit:
Yes - I visited Dr. Hutchinson's class, and he was very nice. It was the largest class they have (General Chemistry), but it was still quite small and relatively interactive.
Rice University Campus:
Friendliness/Courtesy of Students: 5 - Excellent -
I had lunch in a group with a couple of Rice freshman, and they were really friendly. Some seniors even came up later and started chatting!
Friendliness/Courtesy of Staff: 5 - Excellent -
The receptionist in the admissions office is the awesomest person ever, let me tell you!
Appearance of Campus: 5 - Excellent -
So pretty! Of course, it's November, i.e., nearly perfect weather in Texas. So be warned, it'll be 90+ come May...
Building/Facilities Maintenance/Cleanliness: 4 - Very Good -
The doors to the buildings are kind of intimidating... they're wooden, and look like you're not supposed to go in them... but the campus is very clean, yes!
Dormitories: 4 - Very Good -
Love the college system. Dorm quality varies by college... but even the "worst" ones seemed pretty darn good! Some even have their own private bathroom!
Overall Campus Impression: 4 - Very Good -
Man, oh man, if only it weren't in Texas! (No problem with the state - I just want to get out!) Although, somehow it didn't seem like I quite fit...
Off-Campus:
Area Immediately Around Campus: 4 - Very Good -
Nice residential area.
City/Town/Community: 4 - Very Good -
They have this pretty awesome little shopping center about 10 minutes away by foot. But most everything else would require a car. But Houston's pretty cool!
Campus Visit Notes for Rice University:
Visit Description:
I had a really good time; I met this one freshman at lunch, and it turned out that she was going to the class that I was going to visit at 1! So we walked over to the class together, and it was really neat. People were really friendly! And seniors would hang out with freshman, no problem. It was incredibly cool. The admissions office really provides you with a lot to do - tours, info sessions, classes, lunches with students... my day was filled up just with doing all the things they suggested! My shoes were killing me the whole time, though. Ouch!
Although, the physics majors made me a little sad... there aren't a whole lot of them, so they put up everyone's picture in the physics building. (background info: I want to major in physics). They all looked like shut-in nerds though... I have absolutely no problem with nerds (I am one, after all!), but I like to have fun and socialize all the same. It seems that there weren't a whole lot of "quirky" people around, you know? Nerds who also enjoyed looking nice? It's a really vague feeling, and it probably only bothers me, so don't worry about it, unless you're a quirky future physics major!
Dining/Restaurant Recommendations or Comments:
Take them up on their offer to eat lunch with a student! I was scared stiff, but it was totally fine. Plus, it's with a big group of Rice-hopefuls, so no one-on-one awkwardness!
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I had lunch in a group with a couple of Rice freshman, and they were really friendly. Some seniors even came up later and started chatting!
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The doors to the buildings are kind of intimidating... they're wooden, and look like you're not supposed to go in them... but the campus is very clean, yes!