Application Question: Selecting Academic School on Application for Math Focused Student

My son is considering ED at Rice and is math focused. Rice’s application requires applicants to list the academic school to which they are applying. The engineering school has two majors of interest to my son–i) Computational and Applied Mathematics, and ii) Statistics. The natural science school has one major of interest to my son–i) Mathematics. If he is uncertain which major he wants, which school should he list. Are the admissions criteria different for these two academic schools?

My daughter faced a similar dilemma. She was interested in Psychology and English which were in two different schools. She decided to apply to Humanities because many of her high school courses and accomplishments were in that area. She only had one course in high school in Psychology. He needs to pick one school to apply to for purposes of admission. Architecture and Music are the only ones that require specific admission into a major. Pick the one that is his strongest case for admission based on his courses, extracurriculars, etc… Rice students can take classes in all the schools and can easily double major across schools or change schools/majors (with the exception of music and arch). Students do not have to declare a major until the end of sophomore year. My daughter applied to Humanities and was admitted. She is now a Psychology (Social Science)/English (Humanities) double major. The SAT subject test suggestions may be different for the different schools. If he has taken the tests recommended for one school that might fact into his decision. https://futureowls.rice.edu/futureowls/Standardized_Tests.asp

Rice has a very strong Mathematics program that is quite theoretical. This is definitely not the program for students who are looking for an applied approach. The programs in the engineering school are more practical, but the CAAM major in particular is competitive and very demanding. All of these are excellent programs at Rice. Can’t go wrong. You can also double major, depending on how motivated you are.

^ Very good advice. I do have to add that it is quite easy to switch majors at Rice

I have the same dilemma. I am also a mathematics focused student. Actually, I’m having even more trouble because I’m interested in the CAAM, Statistics, and Mathematics majors just like you, but also Mathematical Economic Analysis and Computer Science.

I have no idea whether I should apply to Engineering, Natural Sciences, or Social Sciences. Currently leaning away from social sciences.

Also they ask you to pick your top 3. I’m unsure if it’s a good idea to pick some majors that aren’t in the school I’m applying to. Ex. 1. CAAM 2. Mathematics 3. Mathematical Economic Analysis.

I know you can change later but idk which school to pick. I’d appreciate it if anyone can help.

I am interested in both theoretical and applied math(leaning more towards theoretical) as well as some math-heavy theoretical comp-sci and economics.

At other schools I’m applying to math, but they don’t have something like CAAM or stats in the engineering school