What's campus life like at Rice University?

As I'm researching colleges, Rice University caught my eye. I'm interested in what campus life is like—are there good extracurriculars, how's the social scene, and is there a strong sense of community?

Rice University offers a very unique campus life experience with a supportive community atmosphere. The size of the school allows for a tight-knit community, and many students describe the campus culture as collaborative rather than competitive. This is likely a result of the residential college system, which is a bit like the House system in Harry Potter. You're randomly assigned to a residential college before your freshman year and then you're a part of that community for the rest of your time at Rice - and beyond!

Rice's residential colleges aren't just where you live; they're also social and academic support networks. Each of the 11 colleges has its own traditions, government, budget, and intramural sports teams. This residential college system fosters a significant amount of pride and friendly competition among the different colleges, which can be a lot of fun, and there's definitely a sense of familial community within each residence.

The extracurricular scene is also quite vibrant at Rice. There are over 200 student-run clubs and organizations, ranging from honor societies and cultural organizations to art clubs and sports teams. Plus, most students are involved in multiple organizations. Participation in these clubs and societies is quite high, so there's always an event or activity happening on campus.

As for the social scene, it's tied closely to your residential college. Each college hosts public parties throughout the year which become large social gathering points. There's also the annual Beer Bike event, a combination intramural bicycle race and drinking competition dating back to the 1950s, which is a highlight for many students. On the other hand, the school's location in Houston - the fourth-largest city in the U.S. - means that there's a wealth of off-campus activities available too, from music festivals to professional sports games.

However, as with all schools, it's always best to visit or speak directly with current students to get a real feel for the campus environment. Everyone's experiences will be slightly different, but many people find Rice to be a supportive, diverse, and fun community.