July 14, 2025

Rice University is a research institution in Houston, Texas, known for combining academic rigor with a supportive campus environment. Students benefit from small class sizes, direct access to faculty, and strong programs across engineering, natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, and the arts. Rice emphasizes undergraduate research and real-world learning, with many students participating in faculty-led projects and internships both on and off campus. Through its holistic Component-Based Evaluation (CBE) admissions process, Rice seeks students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership potential, and a commitment to serving their communities. 

Pomona College combines the intellectual depth of a premier liberal arts education with the resources of a larger academic organization. As a founding member of the Claremont Colleges in California, Pomona offers students the rigor of individualized instruction, a strong culture of inquiry, and access to interdisciplinary opportunities rarely found at institutions of its size.

In college, gaining hands-on experience can be just as important as classroom learning. Two of the most common ways students build real-world skills are through co-ops and internships. While these terms are often used interchangeably, they differ significantly in structure, duration, compensation, and how students typically connect with these opportunities. Understanding these differences can help students make more informed decisions about their academic and career paths.

Each year, more than one million students apply to college through the Common Application (Common App), a platform used by over 1,000 colleges and universities around the world. Understanding how to use the Common App can make your application process smoother and more efficient.