Rice University (Houston: 2009, insuring, student loans)

[phaze]

For reference:

Rice tuition and fees: Rice University | Prospective Students

UH tuition and fees: Tuition & Fees

[alwaysflyin]

Originally Posted by rubynicholson77056

U of H, Rice, or HBU for B.S. in political science? I am really leaning toward Rice but their admissions criteria is very strict. I have a 3.75 GPA, however, I am a non-traditional student (wife and mother) and don't have a lot of time for extra curriculars. Upon completion of my BS, the plan is to get a masters in Public Administration (most likely work for a gov't agency). Maybe law school depending on how the economy bounces back. I have a lot of friends that are $100k or more in debt, fresh out of law school and are working as paralegals!

Soooo are there any alumni/students from any of these schools that can lend some advice about the PS program? I know U of H has a good law school but I don't know much about the PS program outside of what recruiters have told me.

I am a Rice grad, class of 93 with a B.A. The political science department is very good and a Rice degree will be very favorably viewed when applying to grad school. There are few non-traditional students at Rice, but there are some. Have you taken the SAT and the SAT IIs? Those scores will have a large impact on your shot at admission. Good luck!

[Sea2LV2Hou]

Originally Posted by rubynicholson77056

That is simply a matter of opinion seeing that I know plenty of ppl that majored in PS and have gone on to do some amazing things.....plus given the way you started your post, it's not hard to determine that obviously you didn't master good communication skills. Your "advice" is not needed.

If you were able to read, you would notice that I said, "it has gotten me nothing that a degree in a hard science wouldn't have gotten me; and at least with a hard science your options are much more open". Obviously you've never gotten a real job, as you haven't even gone to college, so you don't understand the drawbacks of the PSC degree. As almost any former liberal arts major would tell you, if they could do it again they wouldn't.

[rubynicholson77056]

Originally Posted by Sea2LV2Hou

If you were able to read, you would notice that I said, "it has gotten me nothing that a degree in a hard science wouldn't have gotten me; and at least with a hard science your options are much more open". Obviously you've never gotten a real job, as you haven't even gone to college, so you don't understand the drawbacks of the PSC degree. As almost any former liberal arts major would tell you, if they could do it again they wouldn't.

And obviously what you don't realize is there is no way possible anyone could have taken anything you had to say about the matter seriously seeing that you started your reply with "Are you a fool?"...was that necessary or even relevant for that matter? Would you seriously listen to someone that called you a fool?
To add, you don't know me so don't just sum me up by "assuming" I haven't had a "real" job because I AM IN COLLEGE (not haven't gone). Furthermore I never asked ANYONES opinion on the PS degree....I asked about schools....therefore your comment was irrelevant. There are plenty of ppl that have done extremely well for themselves with a BA in PS...Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, Condoleeza Rice...etc...and I'm sure it would be somewhat helpful for me in law school ...but what do I know (best country hick voice) "I've never gone to college!"...maybe your communication skills is what hendered you...I fully understand your point but maybe you should work on a better way of presenting it.

[westhou]

If you would like some information about HBU pm me. I'm about to graduate from there and could provide you with whatever information you may need to make your decision.

[DanielWayne]

I'm a UH grad, but not political science. A friend of mine from high school did attend UH for undergrad and later attended SMU for law school. He runs his own practice now. UH is what you make of it. There is a ton of opportunity at UH for a fraction of the cost of a private school. You just have to push because you can easily get lost in the crowd due to the sheer size.

Rice is a very prestigious school that will open many doors, but you can go to UH, get good grades, save a bunch of money, and apply that saved money to whatever grad program you want. UH has a decent academic reputation. It is not uncommon for the top pre-law or pre-med UH students to get into some of the top ivy league professional programs in the country.

[easybay]

I have a lot of friends that are $100k or more in debt, fresh out of law school and are working as paralegals

Ruby - I'm confused by your posts. You say you are currently a student, so do you have student loans now? Or are you a high school student? If you are in college where do you go to school and how many years are you presently into your degree? Are you talking about transferring into UH or Rice?

Considering Rice is upwards of $30,000 per year for tuition, (I guess you husband is carrying your living expenses, and childcare costs?) you'll be looking at $120,000 + your current student loans....AT THE END OF YOUR UNDERGRAD. You'll still have a couple of years of tuition to tack on, so you might end up with $200,000 in student loans. Have you thought through the kind of debt you are taking on? You can NEVER escape that debt - no matter your financial situation you can't bankrupt them.

Bottom line, you are paying for a Pedigree. An average person in a top school will still be an average person when they graduate and hit the work force. A high achieving top student in an average school will be a high achieving top person in the work force.

My husband is a top achiever with an average education. He's the boss and has Vanderbilt and Rice grads working for him. In the workforce it's your PREFORMANCE that elevates you not the school.

Yeah, yeah, I get it, people LOVE to yap about where they went to school - bottom line is, it's pretentious. If you believe you are smart enough to get into your chosen school - maybe you should be WISE enough to think through whats truly motivating your RIDICULOUS desire.

Just my opinion.

[rubynicholson77056]

Originally Posted by easybay

Ruby - I'm confused by your posts. You say you are currently a student, so do you have student loans now? Or are you a high school student? If you are in college where do you go to school and how many years are you presently into your degree? Are you talking about transferring into UH or Rice?

Considering Rice is upwards of $30,000 per year for tuition, (I guess you husband is carrying your living expenses, and childcare costs?) you'll be looking at $120,000 + your current student loans....AT THE END OF YOUR UNDERGRAD. You'll still have a couple of years of tuition to tack on, so you might end up with $200,000 in student loans. Have you thought through the kind of debt you are taking on? You can NEVER escape that debt - no matter your financial situation you can't bankrupt them.

Bottom line, you are paying for a Pedigree. An average person in a top school will still be an average person when they graduate and hit the work force. A high achieving top student in an average school will be a high achieving top person in the work force.

My husband is a top achiever with an average education. He's the boss and has Vanderbilt and Rice grads working for him. In the workforce it's your PREFORMANCE that elevates you not the school.

Yeah, yeah, I get it, people LOVE to yap about where they went to school - bottom line is, it's pretentious. If you believe you are smart enough to get into your chosen school - maybe you should be WISE enough to think through whats truly motivating your RIDICULOUS desire.

Just my opinion.

I am attending HCC and will be transferring to a 4 yr university next year.

(First post: Upon completion of my BS, the plan is to get a masters in Public Administration (most likely work for a gov't agency). Maybe law school depending on how the economy bounces back. I have a lot of friends that are $100k or more in debt, fresh out of law school and are working as paralegals!)

I don't have SL right now because we pay out of pocket. Yes the debt would be tremendous, but I was more so considering Rice with the intention of either a scholarship or taking advantage of the new financial plan they have implemented.

Financial Aid at Rice University

So based on the link, since our income exceeds $80k I would only have to obtain about a $2500 loan and after speaking with a financial aid counselor, I could pay that out of pocket if I wanted. I attend school year round so by the time I transfer, I would only have a year left...give or take a semester. As far as law school goes, as I mentioned, that would depend on the economy and of course scholarships!!!

Right now I am leaning more towards U of H because of the great things I've heard and they have a law school. My husband also went to an average school and actually majored in History...he is now a Regional Operations Manager, so I know it's not about the school and sometimes even the major! I just want a good experience.

[easybay]

2009-2010 Cost of Attendance Tuition $31,430 Fees 675 Room and Board 11,230 Books 800 Personal Expenses 1,550 $45,685*

For students whose family income is above $80,000, Rice will award a small subsidized loan in combination with grants, work study, merit aid (if qualified) and institutional funds to cover 100% of the student's unmet need. The subsidized loan for students entering in the Fall of 09 who show need will be $2500 each year they attend Rice.

Umm, maybe you should read what it actually says. The school itself will give you a loan of $2500 each year you attend IF you can't come up with the total costs - roughly $33,000 (Tuition/fees/books/daycare). Meaning after you apply for and get grants/scholorships/loans and if they only get to....let's say $31,000 - RICE will loan you $2500 to make up the difference!

Do you understand that you are going to have to apply for federal student loans to cover the difference.... The $2500 they are "giving" you is a LOAN. That's not the amount you will pay for tuition - it's to help pay the staggering tuition fees.

[easybay]

Ruby - help me out here.....did you honestly think that your tuition at Rice would be $2500 per year?