I’ve had 2 grandkids at Rice, one a recent graduate and the other currently at Rice. Neither are/were STEM. One was Econ/Environmental Studies and the other Business. One also was strongly interested in Wash U mainly because of the strong sense of community fostered by its own housing program, but ultimately chose Rice. Both are out of state.
To answer some of your questions:p about Rice:
- While Rice has an historically strong reputation in STEM, combined enrollment in Engineering + Architecture is about 1900 out of a total undergrad enrollment of 4800. So, there are lots of kids doing other things. And to balance the STEM focus for some, Rice also has an excellent Music School.
- The Baker Institute is a major asset for pre-law students. Check it out.
- Both of my grandkids spent a summer studying at the London School of Economics, set up by Rice. One attended on a grant with tuition paid for by Rice.
- Students do have a life outside their residential college. Most of your time, after all, is spent in class and with course assignments, so that creates plenty of interaction outside the res college. And students can attend events at other res colleges or eat in other dining rooms.
- Both lived off campus junior year but stayed involved with their in campus res colleges. The off campus apartments which are typically rented by Rice students are very close to campus - almost like an extension of campus. So, staying involved with campus life is easy. The off campus housing is closer to campus than on campus housing is at some large state flagship universities.