I love so many things about both USC and Rice U. and...

cdz512
Fri, 23 Apr 2010 21:42:12 +0000

USC is only a couple hours away from the beach, the desert, AND the mountains

You know Houston is only a couple hours away from the ocean too (and some dry places if you really want to visit). PS. Texas also has a Pasadena. Yeah be jealous. =P

USC is in LA (big, vibrant amazing city… but also expensive)

Houston is big and vibrant too. It’s also very diverse. And less expensive (depends on location though).

California’s amazing climate

Houston (and a good part of texas) has an amazing climate IMO. Sure it’s hot and humid during the summer, but it is mild in the winter (with some exceptions, it snowed a little but it’s nice to experience snow).

Highest percentage of international students of any school in the US

While Rice doesn’t have as high percent, there is a good amount of international students here.

World class football team & marching band

Okay, maybe Rice’s football isn’t good but it does have (IMO) a world class college baseball team. And the MOB (Marching Owl Band) IMO isn’t bad at all.

Good Neuroscience program

Rice has a great psychology program and cognitive science that collaborates with Texas Medical Center. ALSO, and I think this is great: there are neuroscience class you can take that are taught at the Baylor College of Medicine (yes the famous/amazing BCM). They call it Building Rice Academics in Neuroscience. http://www.ruf.rice.edu/~neurosci/

Grading policies are easier (which results in more free time, and better grades for graduate school I presume)

I can’t really compare for this, but I can say that Rice is smaller. in other words, you don’t have to compete with as many people. Although people here are smart. But Rice’s grading policy isn’t a GPA killer. You need challenges in college. What is the point of going though college getting a 4.0 and not challenging yourself?

Very good pre-med internship opportunities

Umm I think USC definitely can’t compete with Rice on this category. Rice has one of the best, if not the best, pre-med internship opportunities. It is across from the TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER. I repeat the TMC, the LARGEST collection of medical institutions/hospitals. If you can’t find internship opportunities, well I’ll be darn.

Amazing alumni job network

Rice has a good alumni network, although they are not as big as USC, Rice is well know to many corporations.

Movies are often filmed at USC

Umm I can’t really comment much on this. But I have to say, what does that provide for you? I don’t think (and I might be wrong but) you probably won’t be in a movie. So I don’t know what is the big benefit.

Students make & show movie-grade films

Hey there are some nice video skills here.
[Rice University Community Involvement Center](http://cic.rice.edu/videocontest/)
[Rice University | News & Media](http://www.media.rice.edu/media/NewsBot.asp?MODE=VIEW&ID=14084)

Good mix of attractive boys

Okay, I agree California has some amazing looking people, but hey, it’s not like southern people are bad looking. I can’t comment much cause I’m a guy.

Wonderful artists give concerts free for students (Andrew Bird!!! AHHHH)

There are amazing artist that have concerts here in houston. Passport to Houston provides discount tickets to many performing arts activities. [Houston Arts | Passport to Houston](http://www.students.rice.edu/students/Arts.asp?SnID=218601268)

Students can swim in the fountains

Ummm…no comment. That kinda sounds weird IMO. Although, I might be wrong.

Kids were nice and friendly in general

Southern hospitality? I think they call that for a reason.