Rice has the benefit of being in the fourth-largest city in the United States. Along with its traditionally strong economy and affordable cost of living, Houston is a multi-cultural hub: restaurants, concerts, museums, professional sports, etc. Houston offers two airports with non-stop flights to most U.S. cities. Bush Intercontinental is an international airport with non-stop flights to many cities around the world.
Rice also has the benefit of being less than two miles from the largest medical complex in the world (Texas Medical Center) which houses the traditionally, top-ranked MD Anderson Cancer Center. The campus is right in the center of Houston but has a beautiful, defined campus that offers an “oasis-type” feel in the middle of the big city.
Rice should be a consideration for any student who considers himself/herself an elite school candidate. Top employers, graduate schools, professional organizations, and internships are more than aware of Rice and its prestige.
Don’t let some uninformed goober from your hometown dissuade you from seriously considering Rice (or any other top school for that matter) just because he has “never heard of it”.