<p>Spend a lot of time on your essays. I had excellent grades, 4.0 unweighted GPA, ranked 2/364, and I wasn’t accepted. I think most of the reason was because my essays were weak and I didn’t have any extracurricular activities that were out of the norm. Make your essays point out unique traits you have or experiences, good or bad, you’ve had. Rice wants unique and well rounded individuals, who aren’t always serious and show their personalities through their writing. I’m applying again as a transfer, and though the deadline for transfers is in March, I’m already trying to think of ways I’m unique. Jot down any ideas you have, wherever you are, and keep the topics in the back of your mind so you’ll always be getting ideas.</p>