<p>I am a going to be a high school senior and my first choice school is Rice University and really have no idea of my chances of getting in. Just to give myself an idea I decided to post some of my stats on CollegeConfidential.</p>
<p>Anyways,</p>
<p>unweighted GPA: 4.0
all ap/ib courses
SAT: 800 CR, 800 W, 760 M
SAT II: yet to take Physics, Math II, and Biology. possibly literature as well
Senior year courses: ap lit/ib eng hl, ib spanish sl, ib history of the americas hl, ap calc bc, ib theory of knowledge, ib biology hl, and possibly ap macroeconomics
ap scores: 5s on euro history, american history, biology, calc ab, eng lang</p>
<p>extracurriculars:
hospital volunteering (by far the most important area of volunteering)
various other areas of volunteering
research paper done at the local university during summer after sophomore year
lab work at a genomics laboratory summer after junior year
debate club (won awards at local tournaments)
local mathematics competitions (won awards)
karate for 4 years
track team; cut short by injury</p>
<p>I'll also probably be a National Merit Semifinalist.</p>
<p>Your stats are very nice, and I think you have a great shot at Rice (certainly a lot more of a better shot than I have ;)). Nothing is definite, of course, but yes, you certainly can get into Rice. =)</p>
<p>You seem like a competitive applicant for Rice, but make sure that you write good essays, as Rice does place a large emphasis on essays. However, sometimes people who seem like they should have gotten in get rejected, with little clear reason.</p>
<p>Well, you have awesome credentials, but if you're in-state, you stand a tough chance. Better apply to HYP instead. However, if you're out-of-state, dont settle for anything less than a full ride. Good luck!</p>
<p>Congrats, you look great on paper. If you <em>really</em> want an edge to get into Rice, focus on ways of showing -- in your application essays, etc. -- how you're more than what the statistics show. Reveal your passions, your soul.</p>
<p>The admissions officers don't have the chance to know you like your friends and family; you've got to find some means of getting your "essence" across to them via limited means. If you can demonstrate that you didn't <em>just</em> get high scores, that you didn't <em>just</em> do research work or extracurriculars because you wanted to "get into a good school" but because you <em>really cared</em> about them, that you'd be <em>more</em> than just a "good student" at Rice... if you can show that, I don't see how you could be turned down.</p>
<p>And for other students reading this thread, who might be a bit envious of the scores they see on CC, realize that scores don't make the individual and if there's a place that recognizes that when making admissions decisions, it's Rice.</p>
<p>I'm not a huge fan of the advice "show them your soul, your passions" because you can't convey your soul and passions in a 500-word essay. The point of the essays is to figure out whether you can write. I will tell you, however, to let your nerdy side shine through. It seems like everyone at Rice is a nerd.</p>
<p>
[quote]
I'm not a huge fan of the advice "show them your soul, your passions" because you can't convey your soul and passions in a 500-word essay. The point of the essays is to figure out whether you can write.
[/quote]
Yes, you can't truly know a person's soul or all of their passions from a 500-word essay... unless they're really boring -- and those people do exist. BUT... You can <em>try.</em> You're welcome to disagree, but the candidate who can not only write well, and answer the essay topic, but also conveys some of their essence in doing so -- that candidate will have an advantage. That's what I'm trying to get across.</p>
<p>It's naive to think that the essay is mearly a means of determining whether an applicant can physically construct English sentences, grouped into logical blocks, and bookend them with an introduction and a conclusion.</p>
<p>Think about it. At a school like Rice, scores aren't enough; how else do you explain how some people with "low" scores get in and people with excellent -- even perfect -- scores find themselves rejected? Then, out of all the people who might have similar stats as you, how many of them paid attention in English like you did and know how to write an essay? It <em>is</em> what you put into it, as much if not more than <em>how well</em> you write. At least, that's my impression regarding the admissions officers at Rice.</p>
<p>Take it or leave it, just keep an open mind; that, too, will take you far.</p>
<p>u have to convey in somehow how you will influence life at Rice, in other words, how the rice community will benefit from you being at Rice. If you can't convey that, you dont have a compelling reason to be at Rice. That's my take. Whether it be having a special talent, passion, or experience, it doesn't matter, as long as it true to yourself.</p>
<p>i dont know-- if someone told me to write about diversity, i wouldnt know where to begin. i didnt write about how i am diverse in my rice essay. it seems that if your essay is entertaining, moving, unique, funny, creative, or any other nice adjective, then that alone seems evidence enough. i cant see the adcom thinking, "well this was a joy to read and very well written, but i just dont think he is diverse." </p>
<p>and also if someone told me to show how i can benefit the rice community, i probably wouldnt write a good essay either. i would say be honest. write about an experience and your reactions to it. dont force it. write about what you do to have fun and why it is fun, and it certainly does not have to be academic. there is something to be said about any subject, and thinking of a good subject is never the trick to a good essay. and of course, rewrite rewrite rewrite. you will probably end up deleting some of the more "profound" parts because you will find they are actually kind of embarassing. simple sentences are good, too. </p>
<p>i had to write a letter for a donor to rice last year, but it first had to be edited by a staff member. it seemed all she did was take out some clauses and delete commas. of course i was a little defensive and i thought she made it less "me", but on reading the new version it really did open things up. the only advice i have ever read that was at all inspiring was on paul graham's site, so maybe those interested should check there.</p>