<p>I sent an email with a couple questions to the admissions email address a few days ago, but I haven't gotten a response yet and I'm really in need of some answers... So I decided to post them here and see if any of you guys can help me out.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Some of the majors I am interested in are not listed on the Common Application, but they are on the Rice website. For example, Astronomy and Astrophysics. How would I notate these major interests on the Common Application?</p></li>
<li><p>Can I minor in astronomy? Is there a list of minors offered at Rice? I have been unable to find one.</p></li>
<li><p>I will have had only one year of physics when I graduate. Will this hinder me if I take physics courses at Rice?</p></li>
<li><p>Having had only one year of physics in high school, will choosing a physics-related major on my application hinder my chances of admission at Rice?</p></li>
<li><p>Do I need to submit my application before my interview if I am appyling regular decision?</p></li>
</ol>
<ol>
<li>You could mention it in the essays.</li>
<li>I could not find it at the moment, but I am sure it is on the website somewhere.</li>
<li>I doubt it, though maybe someone in physics at the moment could describe their experiences.</li>
<li>Doubt it.</li>
<li>Yeah</li>
</ol>
<ol>
<li>Not quite sure. Surely you can list physics, though, and all the physics majors are very closely interrelated.</li>
<li>No. Rice has very few minors. You can definitely take astronomy classes if you are interested, though.</li>
<li>If you haven’t had calculus you may be at a bit of a disadvantage, but people certainly come in with only a year of physics and manage to succeed.</li>
</ol>
<p>There is a list of minors on the online viewbook on Rice’s admissions website… the viewbook is a button on the right hand side on the undergrad admissions homepage.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone! I think I’m going to choose Physics on the application and then explain in the essay about why you’re picking that school of study that I want to major in Astrophysics or Astronomy.</p>
<p>I’m taking calculus right now and loving it, so I think I’ll be okay. =)</p>
<p>Also thinking now I might apply early decision… I need to decide! Thanks again, guys.</p>
<p>Be sure to double check that Rice offers an Astrophysics major. I know they offer a Physics/Astronomy major, but I’m not sure about astrophysics. Good luck!</p>
<p>Thank God! And no, I’m not done yet. I have one more essay to write, but I’m not worried about it, because I know what I’m going to say.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, I’m still debating… I’ve got financial aid issues I need to discuss with my parents a bit more. I know Rice is my number one choice by far and I’d love to get this entire process out of the way because if I’m accepted, I know I want to go there and all that… I just don’t like the fact that I have to withdraw my other applications before hearing an official financial aid decision.</p>
<p>Serene, my opinion is that I don’t think that the <em>tiny</em> edge you’d receive in the ED round (especially because you’re from Texas) will be worth the financial risks involved in getting in, if that makes sense</p>
<p>Also, it is foolish to assume that you can write an excellent essay in a few hours just because you “know what you are going to say”. You can do that in a class and get by. You can even get an A. But do you really want to risk it with a college application essay, especially if you are that sure you want to attend Rice?</p>
<p>In my opinion, at this point if you are still not sure you should just do regular decision. If you deserve to get in, they will accept you. Also, aren’t there counselor forms you have to submit and stuff like that?</p>