<p>I think when you compare two top universities the difference in name recognition by the general public really doesn’t count. Rice is number 17 on some of the top lists. Do you really think that companies and grad schools wouldn’t know one of the top 20 universities? If you were comparing Duke or Rice with a much lower tier school there would be a difference, but the minuscule difference when they’re all at the top just doesn’t matter. I think that’s why the question is getting such a response from parent’s who understand it just doesn’t matter between any of the top schools, except for fit and comfort.</p>