<p>So I’ve been in love with Rice for a very long time from reading about it on CC, etc. But after being admitted to Cornell, Northwestern, and Johns Hopkins, I visited every school to make sure that Rice is the best fit for me. Well, I was still in love with Rice even after visiting all the schools. </p>
<p>My (Asian) parents have always wanted me to go to Cornell or Northwestern, which they perceive to be the schools that will give me the “best future” or something silly like that. In fact they actually HATED Rice for arbitrary reasons like how Rice charged us for going to Owl Days and the bad hotel we stayed at in Houston. But they still said they would “stand by me 100%” while hinting at choosing Cornell and NU.</p>
<p>Today, (still at NU) I realize that it’s just not right for me. I love Rice. But my parents are getting into a HUGE argument about how I’m spoiled and don’t listen to them… because Rice isn’t a good choice and whatnot. So tomorrow I have to talk to my parents about the specific reasons on why I’m choosing Rice. I’m sure they would eventually pay the deposit, though VERY reluctantly. But I’m just SO frustrated that I have to deal with this sh**. Why can’t my parents just be happy for me??? Why are they NOT supporting me 100% like they said they would?! I’m just glad that if I go to Houston, I will be at least 18 hours away from home by car…</p>
<p>Actually… I’ve MADE my dad look at it… and he was “disgusted” about how “bitter” people are… he thinks that you all are crazy for choosing Princeton, Cornell, etc. over Rice. </p>
<p>You have no idea how much that hurts… because I <3 Rice and CC…</p>
<p>I’m really sorry to hear this is happening to you. Maybe call Northwestern and Cornell and have them rescind your admittance… tell your parents they made a mistake That’s actually a terrible idea :/</p>
<p>I understand your situation. I, quite fortunately, don’t have to deal with it myself but I get the whole “Asian-parents-why-aren’t-you-going-ivy-league-or-better???”</p>
<p>Sometimes there are just things that we asian teens cannot convince our parents otherwise, this being one of those things. They’re going to believe that Cornell and Northwestern are better than Rice, but even though I don’t agree with said statement, they probably can’t give you a reason why, other than the fact that US World News and Report grades Cornell and Northwestern as higher than Rice, which is really unfair, because Rice is awesome.</p>
<p>I sometimes secretly wish Liu Yiting didn’t write Harvard Girl haha but I’m glad she did because my parents, as do most asian parents that move here, pushed me to do well in school and to get to a good college. (for those that have not heard of Harvard girl, google it).</p>
<p>But i’m sorry about your situation; I think the best thing you can do right now is talk with them about why they think you can get a better education at Cornell and Northwestern and why you believe Rice is so much better than said choices.</p>
<p>Modulation–I feel for you! Parents like to be able to brag about their kids, and your parents may feel more comfortable about those northern schools. Your parents are going to be paying for the next four years of school, but you’re the one who is going to be living them. You say that they’ve said they would stand by your decision. What have you told them about your reasons for preferring Rice? I’ve seen lots of posts by you here over the last month or two, and I can tell how you feel about Rice. Do you think they understand why you feel the way you do? If you don’t agree with their hesitations about Rice, can’t you counter those with facts? Aside from the great stuff you hear on CC about what Rice is like, there are lots of straightforward facts about the opportunities Rice students and graduates have at places like this: [Rice</a> University | Faculty | Researchers](<a href=“http://www.professor.rice.edu/professor/Rice_University.asp?SnID=1816018236]Rice”>http://www.professor.rice.edu/professor/Rice_University.asp?SnID=1816018236)</p>
<p>Good luck, and don’t give up on them. They’ll come around.</p>
<p>Modulation, you add so much vigor to this forum – I’m sorry to hear that you’re
running into something I had to deal with nearly 40 years ago. My parents were strongly
opposed to my attending an all-women’s college and thought that I was making a huge mistake. Our campus tour guide was a real pill and my parents were sure that every
student would be just like her… Plus, my parents had friends who sent their kids
to my second choice coed school and just loved it. I doubt I would have felt the same way!</p>
<p>What finally helped to change my parents’ viewpoint were a strongly supportive aunt and uncle who came to my defense. Can you think of any mature allies who could help your parents realize how wonderful Rice is! A guidance counselor? Can you ask Rice to suggest an alum who could talk to your parents… </p>
<p>Please understand that your parents want the best for you – they just may not understand how marvelous four years at Rice will be! I hope you enlighten them!</p>
<p>You’ll probably have the best academic performance at the school where you’re happiest. See if you can get them to agree with that, and then explain why Rice will make you the happiest.</p>
<p>There are a billion reasons why you should choose Rice listed on this forum, I would compile a list of the top 20 and then narrow it down to 3 or 4 really strong arguments for Rice (hint: look at admissions rate into the type of grad school you are looking for, how successful Rice alumni are, how great Houston is to live in and to work in, all the opportunities at Rice, med school acceptance, better value than the other schools, etc… there are literally hundreds of reasons to choose Rice over any other school).</p>
<p>I got my PhD from Penn in Engineering. I got to know the Ivies fairly well during those years. I am DELIGHTED that my son went to Rice. Even though the dean of Eng. at Penn encouraged me to have my son apply at Penn, we did not do so. I assure you and your parents that Rice is an excellent choice and every bit as good or better than the Ivies. </p>
<p>For what it is worth, I am white. Many of my best friends at Penn were Asian. The two most unhappy friends I had at Penn were Asian women whose families had pushed them at the ivies. One succeeded and is a prof. of eng. today, but broke from her father (did not speak to him the last years of his life). The other had an unhappy time and I have lost track of her.</p>
<p>I wish you and yours the best. I urge you and your family to come together and find a solution you can all be happy with. DO NOT let this tear apart the family. GOOD LUCK</p>
<p>I know what you mean man. I’m dealing with the same situation myself. My parents are Indian, and my dad really wants me to go to Duke. He thinks that Rice is inferior to Duke because Rice does not have the same name in the Midwest or the prestige as Duke does. Rice is also a lot cheaper for me, so it makes no sense why my dad would want to pay an extra $100,000 for me over 4 years just so he can brag to others that I go to Duke.</p>
<p>In your situation, as others have stated on this thread, I would find people that support you. Luckily, my mom supports me (even though she wants me to go to Duke as well). However, I have discussed this situation with 3 guidance counselors, and they all support and agree with my decision. I would talk to your guidance counselors and have them become your “allies.” Also, be sure to mention that Rice is a smaller school that NU and JHU, and that means you will be able to shine more at Rice than at the other schools. In fact, Rice has one of the largest endowments per student of any university (just behind Harvard and Stanford). Find other reasons why Rice is better than the other two schools as well.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, Asian parents tend to have the view that the only good schools are the Ivies, Duke, Stanford, Northwestern, JHU, or MIT. I am sick and tired of this ignorance myself, and especially the ignorance about Rice in my high school (I was the only one who applied to Rice from my school) and city. I feel that college admissions would not be so competitive if it wasn’t for this ignorant view that only the Ivies/similar caliber schools are the only good schools out there.</p>
<p>Believe me, I know how you feel. My D has been agonizing over Rice vs Duke for the past week and she finally chose Duke. She also went to Rice for a visit and loved the campus and the residential college system. Even though our preference has been Duke all along, our D did open our eyes up on giving Rice a chance. If she really wanted to go there, we were prepared to back her. </p>
<p>One thing she considered was the global/national reach of each school and its alumni for the future. She felt that Duke had more to offer in this regard. </p>
<p>Also, she projected herself into each school and asked herself if she would feel any future regrets by her choice. If you don’t feel you will have any regrets by your choice, then it very well could be the right choice. </p>
<p>Sometimes, we Asian parents are too overbearing and it’s hard to give up control.<br>
Do the best you can, be successful, be considerate of your parents, and your parents will be proud of you no matter what your choice is. </p>
<p>Tell your parents that you would be happier at Rice. Especially if you’ve visited the other colleges, you have a strong argument. What kind of parents would force you to go to a college where you are unhappy?</p>
<p>Thank you all SOO much for the suggestions!! You’ve all be so supportive! This is why I keep on coming back to CC for advice. =] I’ll talk to my parents and hopefully they’ll understand that I’ll be happiest at Rice. I’ll also talk to my counselor, who’s been a huge support for me at school, and maybe have her talk to my parents. Anyway, thanks so much! I can’t wait to meet you all next year!</p>
<p>I’M COMING TO RICE! My parents reluctantly paid the deposit… =] Thanks so much for all the help and advice! I hope to meet you all (or “y’all”) in a few months!!</p>
That’s actually a terrible idea :/</p>