<p>i don’t think rice is necessarily “underrated.” based on my own personal experience, few schools outside of HYPSM are especially well known to the “general public.” most elite, prestigious universities are well known only among academic circles or regionally (to the general public). Most of my friends who are only applying instate have never heard of schools like Dartmouth, WUSTL, Northwestern or even UPenn. just my 2 cents.</p>