UNM vs ASU-Barrett vs Rice

College Search & Lists
1

Hi everyone,
I’d like to hear some insights and opinions on which college I should choose. I’d greatly appreciate any advice!

About Me:
–From NM
–Wants to study computer science
–National Hispanic Scholar
–Looking for new and exciting experiences
–Very studious, but wants to have a balance between school and fun.

My college priorities (in order):
–Affordable
–Good academics
–Exciting location
–Good social life/extracurriculars
–Diverse community
–Friendly, hardworking people
–Nice campus/housing

UNM:
Pros:
–Most affordable of the three (~9k before loans)
–Strong engineering program, new CS building in Spring 2017
–I’m doing a paid CS internship with a local company right now and I hope to continue it through college, if possible.
–Very beautiful campus, I really like the vibe.
–I know a lot of people who go there (friends & family).
–Surrounding neighborhood is eclectic and different from where I live, even though it’s in the same city.
–Nice dorms

Cons:
–Worst academics of the three (debatably)
–A little too close to home.
–Surrounding neighborhood can be unsafe.
–My high school is private and extremely competitive. So many people in my grade are going to top universities, so going to UNM almost feels like defeat, even though it shouldn’t.
–Wouldn’t be very new or exciting; I’ve been around the campus a lot.

ASU-Barrett:
Pros:
–I really, really liked Tempe (then again, I did visit in January). Phoenix in general seems like a place where things are happening, compared to NM.
–Surrounding neighborhood was very very cool.
–Barrett provides so many wonderful educational opportunities.
–Honors complex is new and very beautiful (dorms, cafeteria, classrooms)
–I could tell that Barrett was a very progressive, forward-thinking, and innovative environment.
–Strong engineering program.
–Walking around the university, I heard five different languages being spoken!

Cons:
–I wasn’t a fan of the rest of the university. It felt very old and plain compared to Barrett.
–I thought I would love the huge-campus feel, but I wasn’t crazy about it. A bit overwhelming.
–Expensive (~14.5k before loans).

Rice:
Pros:
–Strongest academics of the three, especially engineering.
–Gorgeous and interesting campus. So many things to see and so many unique features.
–Everyone I met was unbelievably friendly, welcoming, and helpful.
–Walking around the campus, I felt very comfortable, like a true Rice student. The vibe was amazing.
–Things really are happening in Houston, and the surrounding neighborhood was very cool.
–Incredibly diverse student body and faculty.
–Food was AMAZING.

Cons:
–I’m getting tired of the private school life. My high school is super chill about everything (lockers unlocked, backpacks and laptops left by people who know they won’t get stolen) and I got the same sense about Rice; my host student left my backpack and laptop in the commons all day 'cause he knew they’d be safe there. I guess I want something closer to the real world: somewhere where not everything is perfect.
–Most expensive of the three (~17k before loans).
–Some dorms are super nice, some aren’t.
–Very stressful academic environment. I want to be a good student by choice, not by pressure.

2

I should add that I’m leaning strongly towards UNM, because of the cost.

3

Bump

4

What’s your parents’ budget - what can they afford out of pocket from income and savings?

All other things being equal, I’d seriously consider Rice and ASU Barrett over UNM.
There’s really a BIG difference in academics, resources, peer quality, research level, even research activity.

You said one of your top factors would be academic quality, and engineering/CS will be stronger at both Rice and ASU/Barrett - there’s no comparison for Rice in fact.

One of your reasons against Rice reads like “I want to live in a place where people aren’t necessarily respectful and honest.” I understand you also mean that you no longer want to be protected and you fear that living surrounded by nice, friendly, respectful people would feel a bit like a bubble. However, friendly, respectful in the day-to-dday -rather than in the abstrat - friendly and respectful is nice. In addition, living by an honor code and respecting it is part of an experience that really defines who you are.
(BTW: You’ll be thrown into the world of cutthroat liars at some point and you’ll wonder what you were thinking when you wrote that criterion.)
If you wish you live in another, less protected environment, study abroad. Or study in DC. Or volunteer for less fortunate people in Houston.

Now, if you don’t want what Rice has to offer because you worry it’ll be too “nice”, go for Barrett. The quality of the honors classes, access to research, and support for conference presentations&fellowships would make a LOT of difference for you and your future.

The only reason I can see for you to pick UNM is if your parents can’t afford 10K for Rice or 6-7K for ASU Barrett.
I understand that UNM feels comfortable and familiar, and throughout it seems that’s what you like best about it. But you seem to want a bit of an adventure, moving out of what you know, testing yourself a bit - now’s time to start thinking of the adult you want to become and which college will help you get there.
(you may have to push yourself out of the nest a bit, but how else are you going to learn to fly?)

5

Rice if you can afford it.

6

How much will your parents contribute?

Remember, you can only borrow $5,500 the first year, and a reasonable work earnings expectation is a few thousand dollars. Of course, the smaller the amount needed from loans and work, the better, in case of unexpected financial setbacks.

Realistically, with a parent contribution of $4,500, ASU becomes barely affordable. With a parent contribution of $7,000, Rice becomes barely affordable (“barely” meaning you need a $5,500 federal loan and $4,500 of work earnings).

7

@MYOS1634 @ucbalumnus Our EFC is 18k, but they told me that they will only pay 10k per year, as that’s what they’re paying for my older brother to go to college.

MYOS1634 I understand what you’re saying, but I have to stick to my instincts. After lots of consideration, I’ve decided that I’d prefer ASU-Barrett over Rice because it would be a combination of a small, private school and a large, public school.
You seem to know a lot about both of these universities. Have you attended them? Do you have children that attend them?

ucbalumnus I’d like to get a part-time on-campus job, regardless of what university I attend, but I think the amount I make will only be enough to cover personal expenses.

I just had a talk with my parents regarding finances. They want me to go to either ASU or Rice, since the former gave me a nice loan package. As for the latter, I’m still waiting to receive my loan package.

8

I haven’t attended them nor have my children, but I know them well. :slight_smile: