<p>in some regards, rice is the stronger school.
if you look at some elements, like number of merit scholars, and the ranking for top 50 feeder schools, than rice out-ranks emory and vandy.
on the top 50 feeder schools, based on where students came from as they entered the top grad programs (business, lawm med school, etc), Rice ranked number 20, emory ranked number 36, and Vandy did not make the top 50.
Vandy is getting more selective, and i would guess that in 4 or more years they will be in the top 50 feeder schools. but as for now, rice is #20–pretty darn impressive. and number 36 for emory is not too shabby.
but everyone values different things.
vandy is gorgeous.
i loved our visit there.</p>