Something about Rice University

[harass]

以下是2008 Rice MBA問在校生的一些問題
在這裡提供出來, 供大家參考
過去這個學校收的國際學生比例相當的少
但這幾年有逐漸增加的趨勢

1.啥時去Rice為佳？七月中？(譬如：越早去安頓越好)

According to my experience, two weeks before the class beginning is fine. It depends on how much things u need to do here. For example, if you need to find a place to stay, open your bank account, get drive license, buy car, or be familiar with here, the earlier to be here the better.

2.無商學背景者應先學習哪些相關知識為佳？(譬如會計)

I am not sure if you need to finish the accounting reading before pre-MBA. If so, the accounting material used for the pre-term will help u clarify and built a basic idea for accounting class. Here are also a lot of people don’t have business background, however, they still can get good grades if they prepare the material before class and review it after class. Don’t panic!! The teacher will not assume all of you know everything about business. If you are really worried about it, I recommend buying the required textbook in Taiwan in advance. Therefore, you can have a chance to take a look it.



On the other hand, I think language barrier is more difficult than the class. Especially when you didn’t have any business background, you have to spend a lot of time not only to catch up the class but also try to figure out how to communicate with others. So if you have time, please prepare English somehow as much as you can.

3.那些教科書or輔助用書在台灣先買較划算？

Yeah, the textbook in Taiwan is much cheaper than in US. They will have different cover page though. But if you can’t get the latest version in Taiwan, the on-line purchase here is really convenient and cheap too.

4.Board如何？划算嗎？建議我們吃學校餐飲嗎？還是自己煮較好？

There is no board included in the graduated apartment payment or your tuition. You will have a kitchen in your house either in RGA or in other place however. I cook often here although I am an idiot in cooking before I came here. *^^* The only restaurant in Rice is Sammy’s in the student center, and you have to DRIVE to get anywhere in Houston. So, if you are not planning to buy a car, try to make good friends who will buy a car or practice your cooking skill from now.


1.Rice的生活概況(daily life簡介)

MM….it really depends on you. There are a lot of clubs you can join and a lot of companies’ presentations, parties, training classes you can attend. But you also can skip all of them, stay in your place, and talk with your roommate everyday. Actually Jones School has very tight class in the first semester. You will also have to meet with your team, prepare your project or presentation, and prepare the material and exams. Every Monday and Wednesday has coffee colloquium in the morning. Every Thursday has a Patio after class. See, here are a bunch of things you can do. Just need to make sure your priority and select something you really interested from all of them.

2.校內打工or其他賺錢撇步(讀書外，有時間賺錢嗎)

mm…I don’t think you will have time to deal with other stuff besides your MBA program. Also, I remembered you can’t have a part-time job during the first year. Maybe you can check with the OISS for the further information.

3.Rice的延伸資源─回亞洲工作的聯繫網絡或其他協助機會

Actually the alumni from Taiwan are not as many as other schools in USA. Rice is a small school and didn’t accept a lot of international students before. But the policy may change these several years. It is not easy to find an intern or full-time job here. Although rice has a very good reputation in Texas, the limited position can’t fulfill all students here. Especially you may need to compete with students from other schools. However, I believe you still have a good chance to get one job if you are really aggressive and build your personal network as soon as possible. Besides the assistance from CPC, you also can attend some job fairs or competition to connect with other people. I think other people can provide you more information in this question. Especially Lily and Joseph who are the second year students get very good offer this year.

4.第一年ALP的實際運作狀況分享

It’s a pretty long answer. Our team is really cool. The project in our company is very interesting which you need to gather the information from the company, try to find their competitors and define the cost of capital for the company, and figure out the cost allocation for the new project. And then you need to build a model to evaluate the project and make some recommendation for the company. You can apply all your classes in the ALP project and experience a REAL business process through this project.

5.新生訓練時的注意事項或建議

It is better to finish all requirements for pre-MBA before your class beginning. You have a lot of things need to deal with during that time. So you might want to prepare the requirements in advance which will make you feel less anxious to accommodate the life here.

請學長姊幫忙or解答疑惑：

1.可以麻煩學長姊來接機嗎？

I don’t have a car, but others may be able to help you. If there is none of us available at that time, I remember you also can ask OISS for help. They will find volunteer to pick up you bah??!!

2.若在台灣已有保險(效力及於美國)，在美國還是需要保險嗎？有減免之可行性嗎？

I don’t know about it. Someone said you can have insurance both in US and in Taiwan. If you choose a cheaper insurance plan here, it only covers a very limited range. You don’t need to choose the school plan though.

3.有啥日用品是台灣最佳，非準備不可的？(目前已知有筆、衛生棉) 有建議的非從台灣帶去不可的食材嗎？

Maybe snacks bah….Everything you can buy here, some are cheaper; some are more expensive than in Taiwan. But I think there is nothing “necessary” you need to bring from Taiwan. You are coming to US, not a 無人小島. Hehe…some people suggest that you can bring wire from Taiwan because the wire here is really expensive (I don’t know though).

Here are some stuff which I think they are really useful for me: umbrella, slipper, medicine, personal care stuff, clothes (my personal preference), mouse, electronic dictionary. Ok, now I think medicine is necessary because the medical expense here is really expensive. Most time you need to take care yourself .

4.住校內宿舍，可以大略地選擇室友嗎？(譬如：不吸菸、非特殊宗教) 宿舍生活有啥特別要注意的事項嗎？推薦住校嗎？如何知道是2人或4人房？

Yes. When you fill in the application form for the dorm, you can mention the ideal roommate you want. Graduate apartment is really convenient if you don’t have a car here. The shuttle service is pretty cool: every 15 mins from 700 to 1030 (not sure) to school during the weekday and every 30 mins from 1000 to 130 (not sure) to the grocery store on the weekend. You can visit the Rice website for detail information.

5.有無住校外的資訊可分享？

Yeah, I think others can provide the information for this question, too.



6.上課服裝是偏正式還是休閒？

mm….everyone wear business attire and call each other “Mr.” or “Mrs.” Here.



Ok, just kidding. You can wear suit if you don’t mind other people call you professor.

Jeans and t-shirt are fine. Business casual is also popular here. But do remember bring some suit or clothes you like from Taiwan if your size is hard to find here. Otherwise you can buy anything here.

7.建議買車嗎？二手堪用的價格約是？

YEAH!!! You can’t get anywhere without car here. M, maybe you can if you don’t mind to walk one hour to buy grocery. I am not sure about the used car price. Other students can answer this question though. Most of them have car, and it is much more convenient to do anything without depending on others’ schedule.

8.會有一些廠商辦的party可參加嗎？

Yes. Here are a lot of companies’ presentations you can attend.

9.學校代買的那台NB是哪個牌子的? 和我們自己買的有什麼差別(有灌什麼特殊的軟體嗎)? 我們要不要個人再帶NB去?

Our laptop is HP. The school will set up the software, printer, and everything for your laptop before you get it. I don’t know if the school will provide the same laptop here to you. I didn’t bring NB and I don’t think it is necessary. Most of students only use the laptop school provided. If you want detail information for your laptop, just send e-mail to school. I think they can explain this to you.


Above are Anita's suggestion


1.啥時去Rice為佳？七月中？(譬如：越早去安頓越好)

One week before pre-term should be okay. If you come too early than it would be a waste of money and time.

2.無商學背景者應先學習哪些相關知識為佳？(譬如會計)

Just familiarize yourself with pre-term materials then you should be good to go. Language might be a barrier but I would only suggest bringing a translator instead of buying textbooks since, after all, one of the main purposes for you guys to come is to practice your English. This is probably the only chance you get to practice your English intensively for the next two years.



3.那些教科書or輔助用書在台灣先買較划算？

This doesn’t apply to me. I bought all my books here. Please see Anita’s suggestions.



4.Board如何？划算嗎？建議我們吃學校餐飲嗎？還是自己煮較好？

This doesn’t apply to me. I usually eat outside. Only cook when I am happy. So, please see Anita’s suggestions.



請學長姊們分享：

1.Rice的生活概況(daily life簡介)

One thing you guys should realize is that you should start the process of finding internship for the summer. By this I mean you have to start preparing you resume, and your cover letter according to your interest. You have to be sure what field you want to work in the future by the end of first semester since you have to select your ALP project according to your interest. Besides that, you would have a very busy first semester since there’s a lot of team presentations and group work you have to do. There are a lot of clubs you can join and within these clubs you are able to get different information you need. We have a lot of companies that come to our school to give company presentation. You should try to attend some of them for it is a way to get connections and possible internship in the future. Every Monday and Wednesday has coffee colloquium in the morning. Coffee Colloquium is a time where professors, alumni, and students could eat together and exchange information. A lot of clubs announcements are also made during that time. So it is important for you guys to join that on a weekly basis. Plus, it is free food. There’s Patio after class every thursday. It is a time also where professors, alumni, and students drink and exchange further information.

2.校內打工or其他賺錢撇步(讀書外，有時間賺錢嗎)

First years can’t work but exceptions could be made for certain people. Most of the time, on-campus jobs are given to undergraduates or 2nd year MBA. Trust me you wouldn’t have time to even think about that.

3.Rice的延伸資源─回亞洲工作的聯繫網絡或其他協助機會

Rice has horrible resource in networking with alumni aboard. This is mainly due to the low amount of alumni we have in other countries. But we do still have a few and Rice do keep in contact with them. Boston University has a very strong Asian Alumni network group, which is something Rice doesn’t have. Maybe we would be able to start a Taiwan Rice Alumni Association in the near future as long as they keep letting Taiwan students to come here.



As for finding a job, CPC is dedicated in finding internships or job positions for students in the US. Sadly speaking, 90% of them do not accept students with F-1 visa. This is a big problem for foreign students but this is a common problem for all the schools except the top 15 schools. If foreign students can’t find a job CPC will try to help you guys to find internships at non-profit organizations so that you guys could get the experience that you need for your resume. So most of the time, you have to be proactive in searching for jobs. By this I mean you have to apply not only all the job positions (according to your interest) that’s going through the school system but also find jobs that are available in the market. Rice has a very good reputation in the US (it is normally known as the Harvard in the South), you should still have a good chance in getting an internship or job position in the future as long as your English is fluent.



4.第一年ALP的實際運作狀況分享

It is still too far for you guys to concern yourself about this. We will tell you more about it when you come here.



5.新生訓練時的注意事項或建議

Finish all the questions in the blue book and read all the required readings. Be able to know the concepts in the required readings thoroughly before you start pre-term.



請學長姊幫忙or解答疑惑：

1.可以麻煩學長姊來接機嗎？

If you are a girl, I will pick you up.





Just kidding. I would be more than happy to pick you guys up but the thing is I have internship until the middle of august. Please arrange this with Vincent. He is the president for Taiwanese Student Association. His email is yaliao@rice.edu.



2.若在台灣已有保險(效力及於美國)，在美國還是需要保險嗎？有減免之可行性嗎？

If you have insurance in Taiwan, then please follow the process on this website. http://jonesgsm.rice.edu/jonesgsm/Health_Data.asp

It asks you to sign a waiver form if you decide to use insurance policies besides from the school insurance.

The waiver form is on this webpage. http://studenthealthinsurance.rice.edu/



3.有啥日用品是台灣最佳，非準備不可的？(目前已知有筆、衛生棉) 有建議的非從台灣帶去不可的食材嗎？

Bring prescription medicine since medicines here are pretty expensive.



4.住校內宿舍，可以大略地選擇室友嗎？(譬如：不吸菸、非特殊宗教) 宿舍生活有啥特別要注意的事項嗎？推薦住校嗎？如何知道是2人或4人房？

I live outside of the dorm so I can’t help here.



5.有無住校外的資訊可分享？

I found my real estate agent on the web. Pretty expensive. Don’t recommend that. Living out of the dorm is really expensive. Don’t recommend that either.



6.上課服裝是偏正式還是休閒？

休閒



7.建議買車嗎？二手堪用的價格約是？

Depending on the criteria you want for your car. Plus, if you buy from students it would be cheaper than buying it from a car dealer. On average, if you buy a car from a dealer that has been used for 5 years and ran about 60000miles, the price should be around 10000 plus or minus 3000 USD.



8.會有一些廠商辦的party可參加嗎？

Yes.



9.學校代買的那台NB是哪個牌子的? 和我們自己買的有什麼差別(有灌什麼特殊的軟體嗎)? 我們要不要個人再帶NB去?

Use the computer that the school gives you. There’s a lot of difference in software and I do not recommend you to bring your own computer. However, I do recommend you bring some software besides MS office. You might need to use it in the future.



Above are Allan Wolhardt's suggestion



2.無商學背景者應先學習哪些相關知識為佳?(譬如會計)

In addition to accounting, READ:

B-school Survival Guide: See the attachment. Find it in the Eslite bookstore. Read it through first, and then get to know real questions about B-schools. Bottom line: U.S. B-schools are different from all other graduate studies. Face the reality first.
The other 2 books shown as attachments: Basic stories for B-school lives. Light references.
Wall Street Journal, Money & Investing section, page C1~C16: Buy WSJ, read page C1-C16, and figure out to what extent you can understand.


2.校內打工or其他賺錢撇步(讀書外，有時間賺錢嗎)



Bottom line: On top of all your study workloads, you are here to strive for a decent intern by next June, then a decent full-time offer by next next June. PERIOD.

You are not here to get a 4.0 GPA or do any 打工. Read the “B-school Survival Guide” I mentioned above; then you will not ask this question.



3.Rice的延伸資源─回亞洲工作的聯繫網絡或其他協助機會

To land a decent offer in U.S. or Asia next next June, depending on people’s different backgrounds, you will need to have one of the following cards on hand:



1. Have a strong family background to support you (rich dad, family networking resources, or family business)

2. Have solid 3-5 years unique working experiences, preferably outside of Taiwan and with int’l scopes.

3. Proactive attitude and smooth networking skills to compete with your Caucasian classmates.



Without any of these traits, chances will be highly likely to go back to Taiwan to compete in the mature local job market with domestic masters.



8.會有一些廠商辦的party可參加嗎？

Do your homework by reading the books mentioned above; then we could get to advanced questions.



7.建議買車嗎？二手堪用的價格約是？

YES. Do your homework here: http://www.kbb.com/

Above are Joseph's suggestion

2.校內打工or其他賺錢撇步(讀書外，有時間賺錢嗎)

I agree with Joseph and Anita. In addition to the academic load, you would rather spend your time on your job research or preparation to get a job after you graduate. Or you should take advantage of this environment to enjoy its culture.



3.Rice的延伸資源─回亞洲工作的聯繫網絡或其他協助機會



Rice MBA program is small. We do not have a lot of alumni. We have only less than two hundreds students every year and most of them are Americans. Besides, our career planning center is not very helpful. Most of our students find their jobs by themselves. There are two jobs fairs you should utilize:

NSHMBA: http://www.nshmba.org/conference/

NBMBAA: http://www.nbmbaa.org/annual_conference.cfm

If you have other capabilities, such as Joseph who can speak Japanese, you should find some other job fairs to attend.

Both of Joseph and I got our jobs from attending job fairs.



6.上課服裝是偏正式還是休閒？



You can wear whatever you want in the class. However, there are some occasions that the dress code is business formal such as interviews and presentations. Bring some suits if it is not easy for you to find your size.



7.建議買車嗎？二手堪用的價格約是？



I strongly recommend purchase a car as soon as possible. Everything is spread out in Houston. You will be limited if you do not have a car. I think it is more like to purchase an option.



8.會有一些廠商辦的party可參加嗎？



In addition to company presentations, we have student’s party every week. You can also attend Rice Alliances events or volunteer some activities such as Rice Business Plan Competition. What I want to address is to take advantage of what you have now. By attending more activities, you will have more friends and even get more opportunities to help your job research. For example, I got my summer intern from volunteering Rice Business Competition.



9.學校代買的那台NB是哪個牌子的? 和我們自己買的有什麼差別(有灌什麼特殊的軟體嗎)? 我們要不要個人再帶NB去?



I did not bring any laptop from Taiwan, even a cell phone.


Above are Lily's suggestion