I agree with the above advice - do a summer program, and talk to the people running that program. They may be biased toward their own program, but they will also have valuable information not only about Rice and MIT, but other options as well. Placing MIT as a backup plan if you don’t get into Rice’s Architecture program is a bad idea, because admission is a long shot for even the absolute best of students.
I would also talk with your parents about where you would be living. If your parents plan to have you live with an aunt at MIT (has the aunt agreed to this plan?) or purchase a home near Rice so you can communte, you might consider the impact that will have on your college experience. College isn’t 100% about studying, it is about experiencing life. There is value in living in the dorms, and participating in campus activities.