Rice University

In my experience, Rice is treated similarly to well-known state schools like Berkeley and UT Austin, and to private schools like Brown and Cornell in the workplace. You'll find that people have gone to a similar tier of schools, so it's not like Rice stands out much. Outside of work, I think there's been a reduction in how mythical such schools are considered. People realize that attending a top school doesn't make someone a super genius.

If you're driven, Rice opens the same doors as any top school. I've seen classmates land internships at Goldman, J.P. Morgan, and Blackstone. The career support and Houston's finance scene make it easy to access those opportunities. It's intense but rewarding if you're ambitious.

I think Rice University is okay. There are metro stops near the south and east entrances, which makes getting around easy. Plus, the campus isn't too big, so it's easy to navigate.

I noticed that many students from other schools had taken practical courses in capital markets, valuations, and restructuring. Banks and funds now value that hands-on experience over an elite education like Rice offers. This puts us at a disadvantage; graduates from schools with applied programs are way more polished and get hired more easily.

If you don't have AP scores, definitely study for the exams. Math at Rice is tough, and as a premed, your GPA really matters.

I've noticed some students here, especially those who snagged early internships, can be really insufferable. They'll act superior if they took one class you didn't, even though it's just the start of a long race. It's a bit much, but I guess that's the competitive culture. Overall, Rice has its positives, but the overachieving attitude can be draining.

Rice is intellectually rigorous with great discussions, but I've noticed a lack of practical financial theory in the curriculum. Many courses focus on theory rather than real-world application, which is why I'm considering an MS in Finance elsewhere. Meanwhile, UT's business program seems better at preparing students professionally, even if they sometimes lack critical thinking. Overall, Rice is strong academically, but if you're into finance, you might need to supplement your education.