Rice University

Amazing undergraduate focus! It is one of the only schools where the professors and staff are focused on the undergrads and not the graduate/PhD students. It also has an amazing community of rigorous schooling yet a very supportive community.

Rice university has a college branch known as "Rice Shepherd School of Music." Their college not only has various school groups who seem wholeheartedly interested in their school activities, but they also offer the degree in Vocal Performance arts which is something I am heavily interested in. The overall community seems nice and open from the many research videos I've watched or personal YoutTube videos of students who attend(ed) the college itself.

I was fortunate to attend the Envision Aerospace Engineering Camp at Rice in Summer 2022, staying in the Sid Richardson dorm for over two weeks. During my time there, I met both students and professors and enjoyed every interaction. I explored much of the campus and especially appreciated the shade from the trees. Overall, I found Rice to be socially relaxed yet active and academically focused. Unique to Rice is the absence of sororities, fraternities, and the randomized assignment of dorms, ensuring meeting a variety of people in an open environment, which appeals to me immensely. Also, since I’ve played competitive soccer all of my life, the Rice club soccer team would be a lifeline to my favorite hobby. Rice’s strong academic culture and unbelievable professors, resources, and research is attractive; combined with the amazing clubs and organizations, it is by far my top choice for engineering schools.

In my visit to Rice, I was prepared to hear about the academics and the internship opportunities, but what I wasn’t expecting was the diverse, closeness of the Rice community. I had never really thought about community, being that I had been surrounded by the same group since kindergarten, but when I switched schools I felt the difference. Being in a new environment where I didn’t know anyone, was nerve wracking and stressful, I had never experienced such a feeling of loneliness. To combat this, I started participating in clubs and reaching out to fellow students. Over time I realized how powerful community is, acknowledging how much support I received from my new peers. I recognize how important establishing community is and at Rice I saw how much the students were immersed in the traditions and the school spirit. This commitment spoke to me in volumes, as I genuinely feel I would be able to connect to the diverse culture at Rice.

Rice University genuinely excites me, especially because of its growing sports management program. As someone deeply passionate about the intersection of athletics, leadership, and psychology, Rice offers the academic tools and opportunities I’ve been searching for. The hands-on experiences, connections to the Houston sports industry, and the chance to learn from professionals in the field all make it feel like a perfect fit for my goals. It’s the kind of place where I could grow not just as a student, but as a future leader in the sports world. The only reason Rice is currently a backup option is because of its location. I come from a close-knit family where I play a big role as the oldest sibling, and staying closer to home is something I’ve been seriously considering. Being near my family gives me the chance to support them while pursuing my own dreams—especially as a first-generation college student. If Rice were just a little closer, it would easily be my top choice. Everything else about the school, the academics, the campus culture, the real-world opportunities, already checks all the boxes. I see myself thriving at Rice, and no matter the distance, it’s a place I’ll continue to keep close in mind.

What makes me want to attend Rice University is its unique blend of academic rigor, close-knit community, and purpose-driven culture. As a Houston-area resident, I’ve long admired how deeply Rice is connected to the city through innovation, industry collaboration, and service. But what truly draws me in is the university’s ability to foster both personal growth and meaningful impact. During conversations with alumni and current students, I was struck by how genuinely supportive the environment is—and how students are encouraged to lead, not just learn. That sense of community, combined with experiential learning opportunities like the Action Learning Project and leadership development through the Leadership Lab, perfectly aligns with my goals. I’m also drawn to Rice’s strong emphasis on diversity and inclusion, reflected in initiatives like the Women in Leadership Conference and the Black Business Association. Beyond academics, I look forward to immersing myself in the collaborative campus life and active alumni network, which I know will offer lifelong value. Rice isn’t just where I want to study—it’s where I want to grow, lead, and give back.

My desire to attend Rice University began in 2023, when I went on a field trip through my school’s Athletic Training Program to visit the Universities athletic training facilities. I got the chance to talk to students and people in charge and I realized that this school aligns with my future career so well. Then I started to do a bit more research. There is so much more to Rice that I love, such as the housing facilities and how they build a community and foundation of friendships just in your first year. I also appreciate their academic opportunities, such as their Pre-College Programs, which I have applied and gotten into! I truly think that Rice University would be the best place for me.

Rice is like that super smart kid in high school who's somehow also really cool and chill. Tucked away in Houston's Museum District, it's got this gorgeous campus that looks like Hogwarts met Texas – think beautiful old buildings with archways everywhere, surrounded by live oaks and lots of green space where students actually hang out and study. The school's pretty small, which means your professors actually know your name. The academics are no joke – it's up there with the Ivy Leagues, especially for engineering, architecture, and natural sciences. But here's what makes Rice different: it's way less cutthroat than you'd expect for a top school. There's this thing called the "Culture of Care" that students actually take seriously – imagine that, super smart people who aren't trying to sabotage each other! The social life is surprisingly fun (not just nerds in labs, though there's plenty of that too). The residential college system is like Hogwarts houses but with better food – each college has its own culture and traditions. And get this – Rice kids party in what they call "publics," which are basically college-wide parties that sometimes involve turning their commons into foam pits or beach parties. The biggest downsides? Houston's humidity will make you question all your life choices (seriously, the struggle is real), and sometimes the small size means you'll see your ex everywhere. Also, while Houston's got amazing food and culture, you definitely need a car to really explore it. Cost-wise, it's expensive like any private university, but Rice is actually pretty generous with financial aid, which is a huge plus. Rice is like the best of both worlds – elite academics without the elite attitude, plus a genuine community vibe that's hard to fake. It's not for everyone (what school is?), but for the right person (me), it's pretty much perfect.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

I personally think that rice university has a beautiful campus. It is very diverse and in very good location in Houston near the museum district. The people are so nice, when me and my mother were visiting the campus, we were confused on where to go, so we asked a lot of students walking by, if they could help us, and they were more than willing. Rice offers so many different opportunities for undergrads and creates a safe environment, where you don't feel like you have to figure it all out, right away as a freshman. So my over all opinion of Rice, is it is a place with a great environment because of the people, and a lot of great opportunities.

Based on my exploration of Rice, the most appealing thing to me is the campus diversity. Being surrounded by people of different ethnic groups. The aspect of having the opportunity to interact with people from different backgrounds and cultures. Knowing that I’m surrounded by different people who I will get the privilege to learn together ,grow together and support each other.

good good good

I like this University for being so diverse and open to every community to make it feel like if they were at home. I like how everyone can be involved in everything and can be able to meet new people and create new experiences. I like that they support each other in case that someone needs help.

If you want to be an engineer, computer scientist, or doctor, few schools rival Rice. Plenty of opportunities for the social sciences. If you want to study art or theater, you're better off at UT Austin. Rice is extremely insular and the residential college system isn't for everyone. I recommend resisting the urge to stay on campus all the time. Houston is a wonderful city with a lot to see.

From the moments you drive under the arching trees to standing in the middle of the George R. Brown School of Engineering, it does not only feel like you're living in a surreal moment. Honestly what really made me fall in love with Rice is that everyone who I've spoken to is incredibly welcoming, friendly, and driven. You truly feel the sense of community. Like I previously said, people here are driven and have strong academic prowess, yet the idea of collaborative work is naturally practiced by everyone. I highly encourage this school. I love Rice.

Rice is a great school and is considered the Ivy League of the South! The students and teachers are friendly and go out of their way to help you. The academics are challenging but most professors are helpful and hold office hours. The residential college system is great; as a transfer student or incoming freshmen, upperclassmen, magisters, RA's, and HRF's are there to welcome you into their college. Rice is also close to the Texas Medical Center and the Museum District, which means there are many opportunities for internships and jobs in the medical field as well as fun places to explore in Houston!