<p>Have to agree. While Rice is a great school, it’s not in the league of Cambridge; also, Huston is not the best place on earth - especially since 2005…</p>
<p>If you want to go to a completely different place, and Boston (I know, I know, Harvard and MIT is in the “other” Cambridge, but it’s just a part of Boston. Not the worst part, have to add.) is not appealing, then go to Stanford or Berkeley. It will be not that “easy” that going to MIT, as the connections between Cam and those institutions are much weaker, but not impossible. Also, as I presume upon graduation you want to return to Singapore (of doing an MPhil and/or a PhD, and returning after that), and then a years spend in Berkeley or Stanford will be a great addition to your CV, much more, than MIT - it’s true to all Asia, I think.</p>