<p>I would say the science classes are pretty tough at Rice, but I wouldn’t necessarily call them “weed-out classes.” There is no grade deflation, but it requires tremendous amount of hard work to earn good grades in them. It also depends on your ability; some people are naturally really good at science and can earn As without putting much work in (I wish I was one of those people).</p>
<p>I don’t think it will matter if you are in-state or out-of-state for admissions or scholarship… it is a factor, but a small factor indeed. However, it seems Rice does offer a lot of merit scholarships to well-qualified out-of-state students with the hope of luring them to Rice and spreading its name in places where it is relatively unknown. I do know a lot of students from Texas, and even Houston, who also got merit scholarships though.</p>