porllado

Thanks for your input, it helps. I'm not terribly concerned about money, beyond living comfortably. It was kind of a hope for me to discount a school (if it wasn't livable, then the decision is made). It's difficult for me to know how I really feel about CU without having visited (they came pretty late with the offer). If you put the same school in either city, I'd probably pick to live in Boulder, though I do really like warm weather. At the same time, I think I prefer Rice as a school and think it will be worth more for my future. Urrrrgh I know it's only my decision to make, but that doesn't make it any easier.

Thanks, I will try to figure out if the apartments I've seen are sublets. Even so, it seems like I seen a ton for like $700-900. Maybe I'm missing something... But either way, I think the cost of living in Houston is brought down in those calculators by the poor and dangerous areas, which I would not find suitable.

Trying to figure this out... Rice: 2 profs in my subfield (though my expected favorite seemed a little overcommitted, though students said it wasn't a big deal) able to visit, liked the program, students, profs +$500/mo after tax stipend (+200/mo first year) compared to Boulder program ranked 20th fewer options of profs in secondary subfield warm weather (this is definitely a plus for me) few housing options very close to campus Boulder: 1 prof in my subfield (I think). I am assigned to an advisor Advisor seems attentive and quick to respond was unable to visit a bit more profs in secondary subfield program ranked 40th more housing options close to campus I had been fairly decided on Rice for a while, but I'm unsure now. The housing costs in Houston seem to be higher and less appealing. I really want to avoid having roommates, and I really prefer being as close to campus as possible. Does anyone know anything about the housing situations at either? I thought I'd read on here once before that it was a big problem for grad students at Boulder, but I haven't found that evidence any more. It's also difficult for me to determine cost of living comparisons - how much more money will be eaten up by housing in Houston? But at the same time, is food cheaper? I don't know! I'm roughly equally as interested in my expected advisor's work at both schools. I think my future prospects at a top 20 school would probably be better than at a top 40, though obviously all things would not be equal, and it would depend on how well I do.