Visit Report by pedrossi (Member since September 25 2007 with 226 posts) Visit Date - February 2008
Visit to Rice University in February 2008 by pedrossi (Student, HS Class of 2008)
Visit Activities:
Information Session:
Yes - I went to the engineering department's information session, they talked to us about some of the classes and how engineering firms like to recruit Rice students. Campus Tour:
Yes - Campus was gorgeous, very spacious and full of trees. For being such a small school in terms of students, I was surprised at how large the campus is. Classroom Visit:
Yes - Sat through a few math, physics, and engineering classes. Some were quite overwhelming; others were not.
Rice University Campus:
Friendliness/Courtesy of Students: 5 - Excellent -
All students were really friendly to everyone, especially when they found out we were prospective students. There was a lot encouragement for us to choose Rice, and they really made us feel at home.
Friendliness/Courtesy of Staff: 5 - Excellent -
The teachers, staff, coordinators, sponsors, and everyone in general were really amicable and ready to help us/answer questions at any time.
Appearance of Campus: 5 - Excellent -
The campus is simply gorgeous; I honestly forgot I was in a metropolitan area.
Building/Facilities Maintenance/Cleanliness: 5 - Excellent -
Everything was clean and in order, except for the students' dorm rooms of course.
Dormitories: 4 - Very Good -
They weren't anything great, but they were better than the dormitories I saw at other universities in Texas.
Security/Safety: 5 - Excellent -
Rice University police seemed friendly and nonintrusive, but they were always on patrol and ready to help.
Overall Campus Impression: 5 - Excellent -
Out of all the colleges I've visitted, Rice was the best by far.
Off-Campus:
Area Immediately Around Campus: 4 - Very Good -
The Rice Village commercial area has a lot of shops and restaurants, and Downtown Houston is only a few minutes away. Rice is also located in a very safe, attractive area of Houston.
City/Town/Community: 4 - Very Good -
Houston is a huge city with lots to do and plenty of opportunities (such as Fortune 500 companies you can do internships with), and the city is also very diverse, contrary to the Texas stereotype.
Campus Visit Notes for Rice University:
Visit Description:
I stayed for three days in a suite with six Rice students and another prospective student, as part of Vision 2008. I had been to Rice before, but this visit really showed me what Rice is all about. I got to see the university through a student's eyes, and talking with all the current students assured me that Rice was the right school for me.
Rice students were very smart, though not nerdy.
We attended classes and were able to talk to professors at a formal dinner. The professors were really friendly and seemed genuinely interested in their subjects, as well as in the well being and success of their students. This surprised me, as many of the professors I had met in other colleges seemed to not care about the students in general.
Everything at Rice, from the facilities to the quality of life to the academic strength, was miles above what I had seen at the other schools I've visitted.
The food was also delicious. We ate in the serveries with Rice students and the food was of very high quality. I was surprised at the variety of foods available, as well as how good the taste was. One student told me Rice was ranked 2nd in the nation among colleges for quality of food, though I can't vouch for the truthfulness of that statement.
All in all, Rice seemed like the perfect school in every way. My visit was very pleasant, and I can't wait to start school in the Fall!
Hotel/Lodging Recommendations or Comments:
n/a
Dining/Restaurant Recommendations or Comments:
The family-owned Italian restaurant in the Rice Village is delicious, and the food is cheap. Be wary of the food at the Mexican restaurant, however - some of the food is very spicy.
Other Comments (Transportation, local attractions, parking, etc.):
The metrorail located right outside of Rice is great to get to Downtown Houston and other locations; apart from that, Houston's public transit system is not that great.
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All students were really friendly to everyone, especially when they found out we were prospective students. There was a lot encouragement for us to choose Rice, and they really made us feel at home.
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They weren't anything great, but they were better than the dormitories I saw at other universities in Texas.