Chance me for Computer Science?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Rice University
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<p>I realize that this might not be enough information but try to do your best.</p>

<p>Academic---</p>

<p>Unweighted GPA: 3.7/4.0
Weighted GPA: 4.15-4.23
Class Rank: Top 4-7% of Class
SAT Score: Try 1: 2080, Try 2: 2250, Superscore: 2300
School Type: Suburban, Diverse, Public NJ</p>

<p>As of Junior Year: taken 6 AP classes and 9 Honors classes (covering all the academic subjects, some electives, and 1 world language [world language honors starts at level 4] )</p>

<p>Senior Year Schedule: 5-6 AP classes</p>

<p>Subject Tests (Estimate):</p>

<p>Math: 780-800
Biology: 740-780
US History/Literature: 740-780</p>

<p>Extracurricular---</p>

<p>-Eagle Scout Candidate (Project to finish by October-November)
-President of a Science related club (one of the largest student organizations in the district, if not the largest)
-Captain of Debate Team (Varsity)
-Held multiple leadership positions in Boy Scouts since 9th grade (6-month terms, the highest position being equivalent to Vice President)
-DECA awards at State and Regional Level
-Science Olympiad Medals at Regional Level
-National Honors Society
-String Orchestra all 4 years (every year since 4th grade)
-Tri-M Music Honors Society
-World Language Honors Society</p>

<p>Volunteer Work---</p>

<p>-Volunteer at an after school program
-Volunteer at School Library
-Volunteer at local elementary/middle school science fair multiple years (two years as a mentor included)
-Summer Volunteer at County Library summer before 9th-11th grade
-Total Volunteer Hours: 280-350</p>

<p>Other/Misc./Experiences---</p>

<p>-Worked full-time in the summer after junior year as an intern in a local firm helping to develop some innovative financial software</p>

<p>Background---</p>

<p>-Race: Asian/other, South Asian/other</p>

<p>-Family Income Bracket: 120-180k/ annum</p>

<p>Recommendations/Referrals (Estimate)---</p>

<p>Recommendation 1- 9/10
Recommendation 2- 8/10
Counselor Recommendation- 8/10</p>

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<p>@yikesyikesyikes‌ My advice here will be kind of scattered since I don’t really have a good way to structure it. First, unfortunately Rice does not superscore the SAT. You are in the middle 50% in that respect, so whether you take it again or not is up to you! You look like you’ve demonstrated you ability to handle a very respectable course load and extracurriculars, but I would give a lot of thought to which of those are most important to you, because that is what selective universities want to hear about.</p>

<p>I’m a computer science major entering my sophomore year. The admissions process is holistic, and not major-centric (hardly even academic-school-centric), so your internship will only help in the general sense. Maybe if it was an important experience that shaped your goals or way of thinking and you get a chance to talk about that, it will work a little more to your advantage. It could certainly be advantageous if you look for an internship after your freshman year! :slight_smile: If you have questions about THAT stuff, then pm me and I would love to discuss it. </p>

<p>Write good essays – give them a lot of thought and time, get them edited by anyone around, don’t settle for your first or second or third or fourth drafts! You still have time to make it good. </p>

<p>The bottom line is you are an eligible applicant, but chancing is a fundamentally flawed idea. Lots of eligible applicants don’t get in, and lots do. It’s up to you to make yourself stand out as a real person, and generally the way to do that is a good essay. You could get in though. Most of my friends didn’t do something extraordinary in high school – they just convinced an admissions officer that they were a real person, with goals, hopes, and desires, who would use their Rice education for a purpose. Doing that does require some evidence. Feel free to respond with any questions!</p>

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<p>Thanks for such an insightful answer! I will definitely follow up with some questions.</p>

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<p>This belongs in the forum What Are My Chances. Moved one posting there, closing this one.</p>