<p>Yeah, that’s what I was thinking, that Rice would be good for this person. But let’s not talk about how international schools are vs. one another. I find this concept to be over-rated. For example, I honestly don’t consider the fact that Emory is like 15-20% international at the UG level to be the best scenario possible. The effect on campus life is “complex” to say the least (and also, the reason many are admitted clearly has an effect on the selectivity and the academic atmosphere…I think you can probably guess what I am suggesting). More reasonable numbers is probably something like what Vandy has or some of the Ivies (between 10 and 15 percent). But again, it just depends on how well integrated the students are into the campus life scene. I think we are attempting to more aggressively address the issue now. I don’t necessarily think it’s great to go to a school that essentially easily allows or encourages you to shut yourself off from a large part of campus activity and life simply because the social niche you feel that you fit into is large, very cozy, and somewhat impenetrable/exclusive. I think this happens a lot w/international students for example (and ethnic minorities that almost constitute a majority on that particular campus).</p>
<p>As for the Rice thing, I’m very surprised your son didn’t get aid at Rice, because as you say, they are usually pretty generous (nonetheless, it is quite amazing your son got that scholarship from Vandy. He must be pretty amazing). As for the son applying to grad. school at Emory, I hope it’s one of the good programs (seriously, some may appear good on the outside, but be nowhere near as good as rankings would suggest. I would say this is the case for chemistry for example) and I hope he gets in.</p>