Chance me - ED for Rice Class of 2016

Colleges and Universities A-Z Rice University
1

<p>Sex: Female
Race: Asian (Indian subcontinent)
US Citizenship: Yes
State of Residence: Texas</p>

<p>High School: Competitive, public (in the top 1% of public high schools in the nation)
GPA: 4.01 (out of 5.0)
Rank: 166 (out of 1030)
SAT: 700 CR, 700 M, 710 W - 2110/2400, 1400/1600
SAT Subject Tests: Bio - 760, Math II - 650, World History - 760
ACT w/ Writing: 34 composite (36 R, 35 M, 34 W, 32 S)
AP Exam Scores: Bio - 5, World History - 4, Human Geography - 4, English Lang - 4, Psychology - 4, APUSH - 4</p>

<p>Senior Year Courses:
AP Calculus AB
AP English Literature
AP Art History
AP US Government
AP Micro Economics
AP Environmental Science
(along with some online courses required for graduation - BCIM (computer science), PE)</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:
Piano - playing for 14 years, won multiple Sonatina Festivals & gold medals in Theory Tests
Indian dancing - part of a dance troupe for 6 years, we dance for private parties and cultural events
Yoga - 7 years</p>

<p>Volunteering:
various volunteer clubs/organizations (see below)
Orthodontics - shadowed/interned with my orthodontics; did a lot of filing, sterilized instruments, and interacted with patients - (summer after 10th grade)
OBGYN - shadowed/interned with my OBGYN; filed documents/bills, took certain vitals (blood pressure, fetal heartbeats), viewed patients and ultrasounds - (summer after 11th grade)</p>

<p>Clubs:
NHS - all 4 years of high school
FNHS (French National Honor Society/French Club) - all 4 years of high school
American Red Cross Society Club - Historian for 11th and 12th grade; photographed events, organized meetings/blood drives, advertised to students and faculty
Natural History Club - member for 11th, Vice President for 12th; organizing fossil hunting/museum/zoo trips
American Diabetes Association Club - 11th and 12th; participated in walks, fundraising, etc.
Science/Math Tutoring Club - 11th (tutored for PreCal and Chemistry), 12th (tutoring for AP Biology)</p>

<p>Recommendations:
AP Biology/AP Environmental Science teacher - He really likes me and I'm one of the best students in his class; plus I've had him for two years
AP English Lang/Lit - I've had her for two years as well, and while my grades in the class are mostly high B's, we have similar interests in books and always discuss them.
Counselor - my counselor doesn't really know her students as she's new, but our school has a long system for gaining counselor recs (we answer a ton of personal questions, have our parents answer some about us, get some teacher evaluations, and then turn all of this info in to the counselors). </p>

<p>Essay: I've already completed all of my essays for Rice (common app and supplements). I've had them checked over by family, teachers, friends, and a professional college admissions counselor; all of them told me my essays were heartfelt and great. My common app essay is the 4th prompt, and I picked a work of art and how it changed my life/influenced me. I've heard that essays about artwork are not common, but the piece really did change my life and my perspectives on a lot of issues. </p>

<p>Major: I checked Pre-Med, but I'm applying to Rice's School of Humanities. I want to major in Medieval/Renaissance Studies or Ancient Mediterranean Civilizations. </p>

<p>***I'm really seriously considering Early Decision to Rice. It's my top choice, even though my parents really want me to go to an Ivy League school (I really don't think I can get into an Ivy...). Regardless, I visited Rice in June and I really loved it and felt like I would fit in there.</p>

2

<p>Don’t avoid applying to Ivies just because you don’t think you can get in. You’ll never know unless you try. That said, don’t go to a school just because your parents want you to. Rice is every bit as good as an Ivy League school. My mother and I were in a similar mindset this time last year; we decided that, if I got into an Ivy, I would be pretty sure I was going there. Looking back, I wouldn’t go to Yale (my former dream school) over Rice. I can’t even begin to explain how much love I have for the people here, as well as the school itself and all its idiosyncrasies. ED to Rice is an excellent choice if you feel like you would love the school.</p>

<p>Your stats are fairly good and the subjective components sound strong from your descriptions as well. You stand a chance, though none of us can accurately tell you much more since we are not on the admissions committee.</p>

3

<p>Thanks for your input, FallenAngel9! I’m applying to Brown and UPenn, but I really did feel at home when I visited Rice.</p>

4

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<p>Choose your school based on what you want to do and what you like. There isn’t much (if any) difference in prestige between Brown, Penn and Rice either.</p>

5

<p>Alright, thanks Antarius. </p>

<p>I think that’s what my parents are worried about - the prestige of the school. I just loved Rice’s science programs though, and the fact that they also have some great/interesting majors in the Humanities makes Rice even better in my eyes! </p>

<p>And I signed the ED agreement with my counselor today! :)</p>