@youcee The weather at Rice and The Woodlands is the same.
As I’m sure you are aware, Houston is unbearably hot in the summer but I would point out two things… 1) Many kids don’t care about heat, mine certainly don’t, and 2) Your kids won’t be there during the hottest months (June, July, August). Oh, and one other thing…they’ll be thanking you for the warmth in January and February. Four years goes by very quickly. Don’t cross off a great school like Rice (or any other great school) because it gets hot in the summer.
@pokerqueen …how far is Rice from downtown where the medical school is? It just always felt sooo drippy wet humid when we would visit downtown. I had a college boyfriend who lived in the Woodlands and it didn’t seem quite as bad.
@srk2017 Is this USC environment different than any environment where 1,000, 2,000, or even 10,000, 18 year-old kids are suddenly thrown together will new and boundless freedom?
I’m not saying that it’s ok. Its despicable, actually. But it must be common at many colleges. Its up to us parents to teach our kids to make good choices. That’s what its all about.
@stem2017 - I agree, it happens at most schools. We have to hope our kids listen to what we teach and don’t engage in risky behavior. For now, my main worry is my foodie son overeats and misses morning classes
D didn’t receive the Rice waiver :((. I already paid for score sent. Maybe they think she is hooked already? But Rice has since fall off of her list. Looking at Naviance, her HS only had 2 admits to Rice since 2009. Average GPA 4.28 SAT 2355.
No fee waiver for Rice here either. Also no interest at all, so we’re not on any of their lists (although we are not for Cornell either and they are stalking S.) 5/19 admitted in the past 7 years.
I think Washington may be a hook as well. I know 2016 twins at Colgate and Harvard respectively with likely similar stats. Granted they had a soccer hook as well but still!
LOL! having been through this process multiple times, I sort of think that is a far more revealing question than many parents realize in September. I realize you are asking in terms of schools they are applying to, but if kids are applying wisely, there really shouldn’t be any major surprises in terms of admissions, having affordable options, or disappointing choices… Spring reveals whether or not those reachy reaches, whether by admission rates or necessary scholarship, are viable options, but those “safeties” really do need to be loved. If they aren’t, the list is not a good one. If the answer is you are unhappy, NOW is the time to take corrective action.
In general terms, I am happy with my dd’s application strategy. If I wasn’t, she wouldn’t be applying to that list of schools. Careful research and putting the snowflake outside in the direct summer sun can really do a lot to fine tune a list.
I’m wondering if it’s might be better to wait to submit some applications closer to deadline time and hope for a few fee waivers. My D would have submitted Pitt earlier in the month if she didn’t need to wait until her schedule was changed and she just happen to get a fee waiver earlier this week so good timing. So I’m thinking - add the school to your Common App list so the school knows you are interested and then wait it out and they’ll eventually send you a fee waiver so you’ll ‘pull the trigger’.
With my newfound Naviance skills, I can see that over 150 kids from our HS applied to Rice in the last 6 years and only 2 enrolled. About 11% acceptance which is less than their average I think.
QOTD: I am happy with the schools on Son17’s list. He is competitive at all. They all have nice features and good reputations. Most have very good graduation statistics and so job prospects will be good.
I am surprised he did not think about venturing too far away from home, but he’s said numerous times how many good schools are located nearby so why should he go elsewhere. A lot of his friends are considering staying locally and attending Boston schools, so he is happy he’ll be near them. I can’t argue the logic. I just know at his age I was longing for adventure and something different. But he’s kind of a homebody and likes what he likes, so we are just fully supporting HIS plans and going with it. It’s going to turn out fine. The side benefit to me personally is ease of travel between semesters and school years, and that we can see him more frequently. I am also fairly certain that he will receive a great education and be more than ready for his future career.
