Rice University's motto is unconventional wisdom, and the university promotes just that. Rice is a small private school that allows for people to have an opportunity to make a change, and for you to build relationships not only with other students, but with the faculty and staff as well. If you are looking for a place to express yourself and be challenged academically, then you have chosen the right place!
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
When entering Rice University, don't feel like you have to compare yourself to other students. A school of that caliber does, of course, have a lot of students that have accomplished many prestigious achievements, but that doesn't mean that you will not succeed. Enter with an open mind and know who your resources, don't get overwhelmed, you don't have to cram everything into one semester! Remember you have four years here! Relax, and pace yourself!
Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
Rice is ranked number 17 in the nation for universities, so naturally it will be academically rigorous. It is nearly impossible to succeed at this university without studying the course materials everyday. So if you are not an individual who is not ready and willing to cut out a huge portion of your time towards books, then this school may not be for you.
Describe the dorm life at your college.
The dorm life at Rice is unique and exciting. The summer before your matriculation into Rice, they sort all of the new students into 11 dorms randomly. That means each dorm is full of a mixture of athletes, engineers, pre-medicine students, pre-law students....basically if there is a major offered on campus, there should be someone with that major. The advantage of this residential college system is that you are exposed to people who have different interests than you and there are always resources. You compete in intramural sports against other residential colleges, and ultimately, because these will be your dorms for the next four years, you find life long friends within your dorm!
Describe the food and dining at your college.
Because each dorm has its own eatery, the cook does not have to serve a huge amount of people to serve, they are able to be creative and serve delicious food! Our dining halls do respect religious traditions such as serving fish for Catholics during lent and offering foods from different regions of the world. The only downside is that no dining halls are open on Saturday nights in the university's efforts to force the students to go beyond the hedges and eat around Houston and experience the attractions Houston has to offer.
What’s there to do for fun at your college?
Rice is in the heart of sweet old Houston. Luckily for Rice students, we are within walking distance from the zoo. We are also given Metro cards so we have access to public transportation like the light rail and the bus for free. Rice students generally have free or reduced admission to a lot of the attractions in Downtown Houston such as the zoo and the museums. Rice also sometimes offers tickets to students to events such as the opera and the ballet for free or reduced prices. Rice definitely has a lot of things to see and do without breaking the budget of the broke college kid
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
Rice does come at a hefty sum, but most of our public transportation is free, the campus always looks beautiful, the professors that are hired are there because they know what they are doing and plan to be knowledgeable resources, and Rice covers a lot of the costs of fun activities such as picnics, admission to sporting events, and shows off campus.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Every year, Rice University's residential colleges compete against each other in a relay race known as Beer Bike. Before you consider another college, beer bike does not have to involve actual beer. In this relay race each college produces chuggers, the people who chug water, and bikers people who actually bike around the track. This relay is a fun way to bond with the other members of your residential college as well as promoting a little healthy competition between the colleges.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
Rice is great for any kind of student that is willing to work, as the academic rigor is high and those who are looking for a challenge, will find one here. It is good for athletes who want a good education, because the programs support them when they are on the road and in class. Rice is good for students who want to make a difference, whether it is a big one or a small one, because it has the resources and it has those with the experience to guide you in the right direction.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
Rice has numerous clubs that students can join. And the greatest part of all is that everything is student run! If you want to join a club, its easy and fun and a great way to make friends. On top of that, if there is a club that you like but Rice does not have it, its so easy to start a club of your own!
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
Although Rice does not have a Greek life, we have something better. The residential colleges are like fraternities/sororities that you do not have to rush or go through an awful hazing to get in. Additionally instead of all girls or all boys, you live in mixed company. However, just like sororities and fraternities, residential colleges instill a lot of group pride in their members, have their own team cheers and chants, have their own gear (t-shirts, pants, sweatpants, sunglasses, etc.).
How would you describe campus safety? Do you feel safe on campus?
Rice University has its own security/police force, who are always within 3-5 minutes of where you are. At nights, Rice locks all entrances but 1, making it harder for intruders to enter. They also have emergency poles all around campus so that no matter where you are, if you are in trouble, you have access to emergency response. Rice has very few criminal threats and attacks and they do a good job of dealing with them quickly. Rice is honestly one of the safest universities you could attend.
Rice University's motto is unconventional wisdom, and the university promotes just that. Rice is a small private school that allows for people to have an opportunity to make a change, and for you to build relationships not only with other students, but with the faculty and staff as well. If you are looking for a place to express yourself and be challenged academically, then you have chosen the right place!
When entering Rice University, don't feel like you have to compare yourself to other students. A school of that caliber does, of course, have a lot of students that have accomplished many prestigious achievements, but that doesn't mean that you will not succeed. Enter with an open mind and know who your resources, don't get overwhelmed, you don't have to cram everything into one semester! Remember you have four years here! Relax, and pace yourself!
Rice is ranked number 17 in the nation for universities, so naturally it will be academically rigorous. It is nearly impossible to succeed at this university without studying the course materials everyday. So if you are not an individual who is not ready and willing to cut out a huge portion of your time towards books, then this school may not be for you.
The dorm life at Rice is unique and exciting. The summer before your matriculation into Rice, they sort all of the new students into 11 dorms randomly. That means each dorm is full of a mixture of athletes, engineers, pre-medicine students, pre-law students....basically if there is a major offered on campus, there should be someone with that major. The advantage of this residential college system is that you are exposed to people who have different interests than you and there are always resources. You compete in intramural sports against other residential colleges, and ultimately, because these will be your dorms for the next four years, you find life long friends within your dorm!
Because each dorm has its own eatery, the cook does not have to serve a huge amount of people to serve, they are able to be creative and serve delicious food! Our dining halls do respect religious traditions such as serving fish for Catholics during lent and offering foods from different regions of the world. The only downside is that no dining halls are open on Saturday nights in the university's efforts to force the students to go beyond the hedges and eat around Houston and experience the attractions Houston has to offer.
Rice is in the heart of sweet old Houston. Luckily for Rice students, we are within walking distance from the zoo. We are also given Metro cards so we have access to public transportation like the light rail and the bus for free. Rice students generally have free or reduced admission to a lot of the attractions in Downtown Houston such as the zoo and the museums. Rice also sometimes offers tickets to students to events such as the opera and the ballet for free or reduced prices. Rice definitely has a lot of things to see and do without breaking the budget of the broke college kid
Rice does come at a hefty sum, but most of our public transportation is free, the campus always looks beautiful, the professors that are hired are there because they know what they are doing and plan to be knowledgeable resources, and Rice covers a lot of the costs of fun activities such as picnics, admission to sporting events, and shows off campus.
Every year, Rice University's residential colleges compete against each other in a relay race known as Beer Bike. Before you consider another college, beer bike does not have to involve actual beer. In this relay race each college produces chuggers, the people who chug water, and bikers people who actually bike around the track. This relay is a fun way to bond with the other members of your residential college as well as promoting a little healthy competition between the colleges.
Rice is great for any kind of student that is willing to work, as the academic rigor is high and those who are looking for a challenge, will find one here. It is good for athletes who want a good education, because the programs support them when they are on the road and in class. Rice is good for students who want to make a difference, whether it is a big one or a small one, because it has the resources and it has those with the experience to guide you in the right direction.
Rice has numerous clubs that students can join. And the greatest part of all is that everything is student run! If you want to join a club, its easy and fun and a great way to make friends. On top of that, if there is a club that you like but Rice does not have it, its so easy to start a club of your own!
Although Rice does not have a Greek life, we have something better. The residential colleges are like fraternities/sororities that you do not have to rush or go through an awful hazing to get in. Additionally instead of all girls or all boys, you live in mixed company. However, just like sororities and fraternities, residential colleges instill a lot of group pride in their members, have their own team cheers and chants, have their own gear (t-shirts, pants, sweatpants, sunglasses, etc.).
Rice University has its own security/police force, who are always within 3-5 minutes of where you are. At nights, Rice locks all entrances but 1, making it harder for intruders to enter. They also have emergency poles all around campus so that no matter where you are, if you are in trouble, you have access to emergency response. Rice has very few criminal threats and attacks and they do a good job of dealing with them quickly. Rice is honestly one of the safest universities you could attend.