Intended Major: Neuroscience
I come from a very competitive + reputation for being very tough, top 10 public HS in state. Not feeder. I am however, the absolute worst. Upper middle class, northeastern USA, Indian male.
First Gen or URM (Y/N): N
Income (optional): Not comfortable sharing but comfortably upper middle class.
GPA (UW/W): not sure about weighted but unweighted is about 3.78. After first half senior year, optimistically 3.8. Toughest courseload available
Ranking and Course Rigor: School doesn’t do rank, but top 12 percent.
SAT/ACT w/ Section Scores: 1550 right now (760 english/790 math/18 essay) but will definitely improve (at least the essay).
SAT Subjects: 800/800 math ii/chem
AP/IB Scores: 4 chem, 5 apush, 5 micro (self study)
ECs:
1.) robotics captain - have participated in states/super regionals all 4 years, won several awards at state level with team
2.) Science Olympiad Captain - compete at states every year
3.) Model UN Secretary - member for four years - have competed at Brown international conference
4.) Member of town board for Historical Society - the youngest on a committee of people who are generally at least 40 years older than myself. I’ve volunteered around 100 hours to helping the place renovate, improve, do public outreach, and become a community center for things beyond history and also founded an outlet for high school students to get into the society and local politics
5.) 100+ hours volunteering - teach adults sanskrit as part of cultural outreach program, and also volunteer as youth leader. Also am halfway to completing a bachelor’s degree in the language. Have been a part of said program since the first grade.
6.) Have done two years of graduate-level research at Boston University, with a paper in circulation at Cancer Research and The Journal of Immunology
7.) Have volunteered over 80 hours at local youth robotics association as a referee/mentor, and 50+ hours at services institute for at-risk and underprivileged youth to bring opportunities to pursue STEM to these kids
8.) Tri-M/FLNHS/NHS member
9.) Have given multiple community concerts/regularly participate in local “Soul Band” - basically just do covers of famous jazz/soul/funk pieces. Still, though. I also have played classical Indian violin for 7+ years, and also do various community concerts and although I’m not sure I can say it, am a very advanced student in both.
Awards: Have participated in state districts festival before i guess? National Merit Semifinalist. NLE silver and gold winner, AP Scholar, Junior Latin Award.
Essays (out of 10) and additional info about them: Right now, about a 7 or 8. I’m getting an essay counselor so this will hopefully improve but it’s about the one robotics season that we came one point away from qualifying for world championships. Either that, or how jazz has impacted my life.
Letters of Recommendation (out of 10) and additional info about them: 9 - my apush teacher. we have a fantastic relationship and he knows how much college means to me. 7 - my chem teacher has a record of writing strong recs, and i regularly expressed in his class attentiveness and although i didnt get an A, i showed consistent effort to drag up my grade for the year. When we talked about it he said “you were one of the only people to not cry in my class” so I guess that’s a positive.
Some people will recognize reddit format lol. Sorry that this is so rushed, I just know that Rice is super selective but it’s my top choice and I’m probably too well rounded of an applicant to be a “standout.” For what it’s worth, I’ve visited and am getting an additional rec from my research advisor that I think will be really good. Here’s to hoping!