<p>I got great scholarships at USC and Rice an can afford either school.
USC - trustee scholarship at USC (full tuition plus $8K).
Rice - trustee plus Century (close to full tuition also) .
I want to pursue a bio major and plan to go to med school. I am one that believes in academics and social life balance i.e. I want great academics, sports, social life, decent party scene, city life…a full undergrad experience without sacrificing academics. What do you think I should do?</p>
<p>USC, of course!</p>
<p>GTR in your description of what you are looking for it sounds like you are describing USC not Rice. So I think you are almost answering your own question. </p>
<p>When it comes to sports, social life, party scene, city life and balanced social life, USC has got to be the hands down winner over Rice. And academically Rice may have a slight edge, but you won’t be sacraficing much there at all by going to USC.</p>
<p>Fight On!</p>
<p>
= USC + Thematic Option. TO is amazing!</p>
<p>My niece did undergraduate at Rice with a bio major, she had a great time there. Lots of partying as well. I would visit both campuses and see which one you like best. I must say, the Trojan Spirit is unbeatable so I vote for USC.</p>
<p>Have you visited both campuses? They are very different. Which is the right fit for YOU?</p>
<ol>
<li> SC has great school spirit. The saying goes one is a Trojan for life.<br></li>
<li> Strong alumni network, spans the globe</li>
<li> Good balance of academics and social activities</li>
<li> In Los Angeles, the “capital” of the Pacific Rim</li>
<li> Strong emphasis on multidisciplinary courses</li>
<li> An incredibly diverse student body</li>
<li> Alumni who “give back” to SC in donations, mentoring, speakers, internships and scholarships.</li>
<li> Located in an area within driving distance to the beach, desert and mountains.</li>
<li> Great weather
<ol>
<li> Huge breadth of majors-If you change your mind about pre-med there are 150 other choices of majors.</li>
<li> Thematic Option, great Science Honors program as well as others in various schools.</li>
<li> Had 18 Fulbright Scholars last year, which was more than UCLA, Cal Tech, Notre Dame and Pomona.</li>
<li> About 65% of the students participate actively in volunteering or charitable work.</li>
<li> In my opinion, partially due to the fine schools of music, communications, theatre and famous cinema schools, SC has an incredible number of the most creative, imaginative, talented, inventive and visionary students.</li>
<li>Undergraduate research is encouraged and supported.</li>
<li>Around 80 religious groups are available as a “second home” if desired.</li>
<li>Around 600 student organizations to enhance your free hours</li>
<li>Trojan alumni organizations number about 120 and are located from Taipei to Paris.</li>
<li>Trojan pride-Attend a SC function and you meet whole families of 20 or more—all Trojan alumni</li>
<li>Athletic groups on the club level for fitness and meeting classmates with common interests.</li>
<li>Campus is considered handicap friendly. Football coach helps support aid for handicapped students with big fundraiser.</li>
<li>Only campus I know of that has skateboard slots adjacent to bike racks for students. lol</li>
<li>Now listed on Princeton Review’s Top Ten Dream Schools by both parents and students.</li>
</ol></li>
</ol>
<p>I went through the almost the EXACT same decision as you. I picked between</p>
<p>Full tuition plus 8K at USC
trustee distinguished scholar at Rice</p>
<p>After a month of debate I decided I’m going with USC. I live in so cal and honestly I love it here. I visited Houston with and rice with the visions program and while I was impressed with the campus and professors, I definitely didn’t connect with the people I met there. Both the people in the program and the students I met were a little too weird/quirky/whatever for my taste. I wanted the same things as you, and after visiting both campuses and getting to know people, professors, and the social scene at both, I think USC is heads above Rice. Maybe I’m just telling that to myself to justify my choice but who cares. </p>
<p>Hope you make the right decision 
FIGHT ON!!</p>
<p>what do you mean Full tuition plus 8K at USC?
is it Trustee + the other scholarships? or + need-based grant?</p>
<p>I happen to know Rice well. It is a great university and has strong academics. Rice’s location in Houston is similar to USC’s location in LA, and the campus buildings have some kind of similarity to here. The student life is based on their residential college system, and all students I know there are smart. But the people there is different from Californians. And the city Rice sits in is Houston, which is not LA. If it matters to you, the girls at Rice are not good-looking, especially when compared with USC girls. It is very obvious, mind I say that.</p>
<p>At USC it is full tuition plus $8K from other outside scholarships</p>