Rice University Top Questions

This is accurate to some degree, and to extremes in certain cases, but overall it is the defining characteristic of them. Rice students are fun, quirky, and extremely friendly. They want to help and learn from one another.

In some ways. Rice is full of very motivated, smart people, but we are not what I would call classic "nerds". Most of us chose Rice over Ivy Leagues and schools of a similar nature because in addition to being smart, we are quirky; we are individuals who are crazy and inventive as well as smart. Our biggest event of the year is Beer Bike, so it is true that alcohol is available, but that doesn't mean we are always drinking. Partying is an option, but definitely not required.

To some extent.

Only for some people

Students: Ugly and socially awkward - true for some, certainly not all; Intelligent - true of almost everyone, with the exception of some athletes (though athletes are also very smart and hard-working, for the most part); Nerdy - almost everyone is very studious, in my opinion sometimes too focused on work Rice: Many Humanities majors work just as hard as engineers, but in general the engineers do have more work. I think the quality of instruction is actually higher in the Humanities departments, but the classes are graded more leniently. There is definitely a sense that engineering/hard sciences are superior, which gets to some humanities majors.

Both the guys and girls are really, really smart. The guys are dorky, but they are also really cool. Their dorky sides make them super cute. The girls are really pretty, yes they are smart but they are also hot.

Somewhat.

Rice is a selective school, and most students here were to some extent considered "nerds" in high school. That being said, our student body really covers the whole spectrum in terms of looks and social skills. Yes, you will find some stereotypical computer science geeks with pocket protectors and large glasses who answer questions in monosyllables and avoid eye contact. But plenty of Rice students are socially capable, athletic and even very good-looking. I'd say the dating-scene stereotype is somewhat true, though; all of our students are very busy and academically dedicated, which takes time away from flirting, primping, and, yes, dating.

For the most part, yes. Rice is a very closed community, which is one of the reasons I moved off-campus as soon as I could. Houston has so much to offer; why close yourself off? I found the majority of students rather shallow and sheltered, although of course there are some great exceptions, especially in the liberal arts departments. The students are much more attractive than they are given credit for; they just don't dress up or get really interested in impressing each other the way that students at other Texas schools do. It's sort of a relief, in a way, to focus on learning more than on what kind of bag you're carrying to class.

We do work hard, and we play even harder. It's the individual's choice to study more or less, but Rice students tend to be efficient. Houston is a large city, allowing for Texas influences of bbq and country music.