Chance Me: Rice University

Colleges and Universities A-Z Rice University
1

Hi! I am a prospective student at Rice University and I was hoping to get some opinions on if I would be eligible to get into Rice. I am looking to major in chemistry and minor in environmental sciences while on a pre-med track to become an anesthesiologist
Rank: My school doesn’t have a ranking system, but the highest honor you can have is summa cum laude (top of your class) and I have that distinction
SAT: 1580 (790 math and 790 reading/writing)
ACT: 35
9th grade GPA; UW: 3.7 (1st semester) 4.0 (2nd semester) W: 4.3 (1st semester) 4.7 (2nd semester)
10th grade GPA (new school and new weighting. didn’t have pre-ap like in 9th grade) : UW: 4.0 (both semesters) W: 4.2 (1 AP allowed only) (both semesters)
11th grade: UW: 4.0 (both semesters) W: 4.77 (1st semester) 4.83 (2nd semester)
12th grade course load: AP bio, AP calculus BC, AP Psychology, AP english literature, AP Spanish, philosophy (school requirement), teacher’s aide
SAT Subject Tests: Spanish: 800, Chemistry: 800, Biology E: 800, Math 2: 800
AP test scores: US history (3), Chemistry, Euro history, Calculus, Language/compositon, Government, Economics (all 5’s)
Awards/Honors: National Spanish exam silver medalist, NSMQT commended scholar, AP scholar with distinction
Extracurriculars:

  • Varsity basketball (3 years) (all-state player)
  • Science Bowl (3 years) (Head of technology, and competitor for my school’s team)
  • Art and literature magazine (3 years) (staff member: 10th grade, junior editor: 11th grade. 12th grade: will be senior editor)
  • Founder/President of Eco-Club (2 years (would be 3 but took many months to get approved by the school board) (opportunities i set for the club: recycling program at my school, composting program at my school, hundreds of volunteer hours in conservancies and parks in the houston area, planted a garden and donated all food grown to houston food bank, etc,)
  • Piano (6 years)
  • Elementary school Tutor (3 years) (I tutored one younger boy from 2nd-4th grade in all his subjects)
    Chemistry tutor - When i was in AP chemistry in my junior year, I tutored 4 kids in 10th grade chemistry for free
    Taekwondo - Black Belt, Member of the Leadership Team (Select group of students who serve as junior instructors and are not paid. solely volunteering)(over 100 volunteer hours)
    Jobs/ Work experience: Job internship at the Hermann Park Conservancy (did environmental work around Hermann Park and shadowed their employees, 2 years, over 90 hours of community service), Volunteer at Memorial Hermann Hospital/Internship (1 summer, 50 volunteer hours). Teacher and Teacher’s aide for the Rice University Science and Math Program Summer Camp (2 years, 60 hours of community service)
    Recommendation Letters:
    1: From my chemistry teacher who I have had since 10th grade and will have in 12th grade. Sponsor of my environmental science club and science bowl. Knows me very well. He is rice alumnus and works there in the summer and hosts the local show on rice radio 10/10
    2: Math teacher: Had her for AP Calculus AB. She knows me pretty well 8/10
    Well that’s it. Thanks again for all the help! Interested to hear everyone’s feedback
2

You sound like a terrific applicant. If Rice is your first choice, your chances will be improved if you apply Early Decision versus Regular Decision. Is Rice recruiting you for basketball? If that is a possibility that will also improve your chances.

3

Thank you so much. I am not being recruited for basketball. It is my first choice so I will be applying early decision.

4

I think you look like an excellent ED candidate for RIce.

5

thank you!

6

If you wish to continue playing basketball in college, Rice athletics might be very interested in a student of your caliber. I don’t know the recruiting rules, but if it is allowed, you should reach out to the Rice basketball coaches. If your school has Naviance, you should look to see how students from your school have fared in their applications to Rice. That should give you a good idea of your chances. It appears you are from Houston. If so, you should sign up for an overnight visit and for an on campus interview.