Help me choose Cornell vs Rice architecture

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I’m very fortunate to be admitted to both Cornell and Rice architecture program, both tier-1 B.arch programs. I am aware that Cornell is 5 year program and Rice is 6 year program (only 5 year tuition + 1 year paid preceptorship). If financial aid isn’t a big issue which one should I choose?

My dilemma is that Cornell is usually ranked #1 for undergrad architecture and is ivy-league. However, competitive environment at Cornell does scare me a bit. I know Rice is a bit more laid back (still very strong archi program) but I feel like I am missing out on the ivy-league and its name value.

What are y’all’s thoughts?

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Do you really want to do 4 years at Rice to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture, then 2 more years, or do you want to focus on the study of architecture from year one of college and earn a Bachelor of Architecture in 5 years ?

While Cornell is usually ranked #1, Rice is #2. However, Cornell has been ranked as the top programs for many years.

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Have you visited both? Very different vibes at each campus. And weather totally opposite.

Both are great programs, obviously. Does the Rice preceptorship appeal to you? If the eventual goal is an M.Arch, I’d choose Cornell as you can get that accomplished in the same 6 year time frame as the Rice degree. I am an Architect myself who considered the Rice program, but not knowing where I wanted to be 4-5 or 6 years down the line, I chose a 4+2 (BSAS + MArch)program.

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Both are great, but different options.

Maybe start to consider things other than the programs…like the weather. The weather at Cornell is very different than the weather at Rice.

How about transportation to get to your home. Which would be easier.

Have you visited both? I haven’t been to Rice, but I think the Cornell campus is gorgeous, and Ithaca is a charming small town.

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Go to the school where you feel you will be happy.

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Which of course means that both are superb.

Completely totally absolutely ignore rankings. Rankings at this level do not matter, and could swap. I have known students whose school swapped from 3 to 2 to 3 while they were there, or from 1 to 3 to 2 and back to 1 after they graduated (and now back to a tie for 2 in a recent ranking). What did it mean to them? Nothing. The problem sets did not care. Employers did not care. Similarly ignore the notion that the “Ivy League” means anything. In terms of academic quality and rankings you are comparing superb with superb.

At even at superb schools you might have a few bad professors (but only a few).

Weather will be very different at these two schools. Are you used to “real winters” (which of course Cornell has)? 5 years versus 6 years might matter to you, or might not (will the 6th year really be all that different from what you will be doing for the first year after graduating anyway?). Look at the graduation requirements. Look at program-specific and general overall requirements. Consider what courses you will need to take.

I did know some students at Cornell when I was in university and yes it was rigorous.

Think about it for a while. Visit if you can (unfortunately they can’t both be nearby regardless of where you live). Consider how difficult it will be to travel to and from school. Consider anything that matters to you. Take a break for a few days. And then…

Exactly.

Congratulations on these two superb acceptances!

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Yes, that was my point.

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You seem to prefer Rice. But the world is competitive so you’ll have that at some point.

No wrong choice here. You have to pick, not us. Ivy means nada here. Good luck.

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Mom of Rice alum here. Rice is of course much smaller and a residential college system (IIRC Cornell has residential colleges on W campus). Fabulous medical centers one after the other across from Rice, should you need it. The light rail system makes it relatively easy to get around areas of Houston, and the Rice village shops are about a 10 min walk from campus. These are both fabulous choices, as you know. Rice is as well known to those who need to know architecture firms, etc). No worries there.

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I know at Rice its basically B.arch but 1 year preceptorship that’s why its 6 years. so basically 5 years + 1 year of preceptorship so I don’t think there will be big difference.

To your 2nd point, I think that’s my question. Is it worth going for rank #1 school over #2 even if I don’t like the environment and location?

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Will be visiting both schools in the next 2 weeks! I visited Rice when I was in middle school but not after. To me, the preceptorship program is pretty appealing because I can get a real-life experience + money (especially at famous/top firms).

I don’t think I’m going to do M.Arch because I can already get licensed after B.Arch. Instead I’ll likely pursue master’s in something more niche or engineering related.

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I know Cornell campus is gorgeous but it’s quite far away from home.. I’ll visit both schools in the next 2 weeks!

I guess in terms of location, I do prefer Houston over Ithaca because I like city over rural town. But I’m thinking, is it worth going for rank 1 (cornell) for architecture over rank 2 (rice) even if student life/location is better at rank 2 school?

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Thank you! I think I’m more attached (or can’t ignore) on the fact that Cornell is ivy league and Rice isn’t. But yea.. I also do understand and agree with what you’re saying.

I don’t think 5 and 6 years will be very different? Especially because tuition is going to still be 5 years not 6 years at Rice. One year will be preceptorship which I make money so I don’t think that difference is big.

I am pretty used to cold as I lived in a cold place before living Texas. But I am also fine with Texas heat.

Thank you for your advice!!

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Do you think so? Some people did say that Ivy league connection is real and it might get me further than Rice. But at Rice, I get to have real life experience and make connections. So I am trying to weigh the outcomes

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Thank you!

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A few comments:

– The difference between #1 and #2 is immaterial. Both are outstanding programs.

–Your post-graduation success will be dependent on what you accomplish during college rather than which one of these fine schools you choose to attend.

– Rankings can change year to year.

– Happy students tend to be successful students. Go where you think you can be happy.

–The Ivy League is a sports league. Plenty of equally outstanding non-Ivy schools are out there (including Rice).

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I’d go to #100 over #1 if I didn’t like #1. You will be somewhere for four years, day after day.

The analogy isn’t the same but people pick safety admits over reaches every day. Both my kids did. One went to #16 of 17 rank wise of her admits because it was the right fit for her. You don’t have a safety but choosing Rice is not only reasonable, it gives you your best chance to do well because you will be happier there on a daily basis - at least that’s what you think up front.

If this was #50 vs 1, #50 would be the right choice. But you are #2 vs #1 in whatever rank you used. And some ranks have Rice ahead of Cornell if you want to really drill down.

Niche rates Rice two and Cornell 8. This one linked below rates by license pass rate with Rice well ahead is Cornell superior ? :slight_smile: Since you are visiting both, you’ll develop a sense. But if Rice is right, it’s beyond a reasonable choice.

Good luck and congrats.

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No question that you would get an excellent architecture education at either school. Whether you prefer the climate of upstate New York or eastern Texas is a personal preference. For what it’s worth my son who did his MArch at Cornell favored the campus’ natural beauty and opportunities for all season outdoorsy activities. You may feel differently.

If costs are actually more or less the same, then I think you need to probe more deeply into points of differentiation.

Prestige and name recognition are valid considerations, but both originate in the eye of the beholder. If your ultimate beholder is your future employer then I would say that it depends on where you see yourself settling and practicing architecture. A variety of outcomes are possible, so it’s difficult to predict where internships and school connections may lead you, but I’d give Cornell architecture the edge in northeast placements— especially New York —and in international prestige. Again, the practical impact of prestige is variable.

As I understand it, Rice’s program is basically a 4 year BA with a focus on architectural studies, followed by a 1 year internship then a 1 year wrap up for a BArch. This may offer a broader and deeper experience than a traditional 5 year BArch. Cornell students definitely gain real life experience through summer internships, but the system for securing internships is less structured than Rice’s. I would want to know more how preceptorship assignments are determined.

Another question I would ask Rice would be what percentage of 2nd years are admitted to the BArch track and what percentage of 4th years are admitted into the preceptorship and eventually receive the BArch. Is there a weeding out process? If yes, what are the criteria? I’m not an architect but my observation of the experiences of my son and his classmates and colleagues leads me to favor the BA/BS+MArch route (which you could still choose with a Rice BA).

I would also look into the resumes of the working architect faculty members, visiting professors and critics. These are the connections that will influence your future career.

I would compare the study away programs, both US based and international, especially costs and selectivity.

And lastly I would compare the synergy between the school of architecture and related disciplines like landscape, urban planning, art studio and art history. And if it turns out that architecture in general isn’t the right path for you, what other majors are available?

Two great options: you can’t make a bad choice, but one may be better for you than the other. Come back after your visits and let us know which you choose.

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Rankings are not overly meaningful, especially 1 vs. 2. I lean practical (Rice), less remote (Rice) and climate (Rice).

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Have you considered “what if I get into my program and don’t like it?” - which school would give you a better options to fall back to a different program that you’d like more. Almost every student goes into Architecture thinking 100% certain this is what I want to do and it’s got one of the highest dropout rates of any program.

Both are really great schools with excellent Architecture programs - Congratulations! I doubt there is a better outcome for you occupationally one over the other. I would be encouraging my student to be making the decision based on non-Architecture criteria.

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