What are my chances to get in Rice University early decision? I’m currently a junior and I’m homeschooled.
Took ACT in 7th grade (for Duke TIP) and scored a 27, I plan to take it again this summer and score a 34 or higher. Have taken 6 classes at the local community college and earned a 3.9. I’m registered to take 3 more next semester and I plan to take 8 more in my senior year.
Volunteered for a year; however, I’m too young to get a job (skipped several grades).
Played competitive soccer for 3 years and swam competitively for 6 years, however, I’m not going to play any sports in college due to my age (currently 13) will be 15 when I enter college).
Okay, I feel stupid. As a 15-year-old applying to college with multiple college courses under their belt and a great ACT score (34 or higher) all you need to do is get in some more extracurricular. Because of your age, schools will see you as a unique one of a kind opportunity which will really help your chances. You are in a good place, just make sure you have some more interesting ECs.
I wanted to volunteer at a hospital this year, however, because of COVID it’s been really hard to find volunteer opportunities. Do you think I could explain that to Rice?
No, they won’t hold this year against you but they do want to see you make the most of it. If you couldn’t volunteer at a hospital there are other things you could do.
Also, is it good to do a summer pre-college program? I’m planning to do this summer pre-college program called THINK based at University of Nevada, Reno. It’s quite selective.
@Texas231343 One thing you might want to investigate is whether or not Rice has a minimum age for freshman - as you hopefully know, all students (in non-covid times) live in residential colleges. My daughter is a sophomore at Rice - she turned 17 during Orientation week last year. (She skipped a grade and has an August birthday.) It has not been an issue at all - since she was under 18 we had to sign for her housing agreement and some release for “field trips” during O week.
I did contact Rice and I will be able to live on campus; however, my parents don’t feel comfortable with that but we live about 45 minutes away from Rice University so my parents will just drop me off (that is one of the reasons I’d like to go to Rice). They did say, however, that if you’re under 17 when you apply that will be taken into account as part of their holistic review. I’m not sure if that will be a positive or negative thing. Do you know if they took that into account when your daughter applied?
I am not sure I would have felt comfortable with letting my daughter live on campus at age 15 either. But glad to hear that you have at least looked into the living on campus situation.
I don’t know that they took my daughter’s age into account when she applied - she was a traditional high school senior (skipped 4th grade) so unless they looked at her birthdate, they would not have realized she was 12 - 18 months younger than her grade peers.
Your age is not something you should be worried about because its not something you can change. Apply this year, if its good news then its good news, but if its bad this year you can do a year or two a community college which will help save some money and by the time you get to college you will be the same age as many of your friends. Something to look into!
The problem with that is that by the time I apply to Rice (really by the end of my senior year) I will already have nearly enough credits for an AA degree.
Rice will likely take 1 person with your profile. AMAZING overall, but not sure how you will stack up against the other 1-2 that also apply annually. You are in a very unique category so just hard to say. Besides improving your extras, often a sore spot for homeschoolers, you need to make clear you have the social maturity to enter college at 15. In the end, that will be the determining factor among the group of talented underage applicants. Hope you get it if right for you.
@michaeluwill Do you have any ideas how I could show my maturity? I feel I am very mature as I take college courses at the local community college already, these classes are all amongst regular college age students. Yes, there has been several age related comments but overall I feel like I’m a really good student and very mature compared to my peers in the class (who are 5 years or older than me). Could I express this through my essay or through a letter of recommendation from a college professor?
I would have to know a lot more about you. Think of it in terms of risk. Enrolling young teens comes with significant liability. Colleges accept liability when they consider people who have endured personal hardships - autism. LD, pregnancy, anorexia, drugs, mental illness. I guess the question is why are you looking to go to college at age 15 and how will the Rice support system work for you? As you know, Rice is not designed for 15 year olds and college is more than just academics.
Yes, I attended there and have stayed involved. Many graduates went on to top-flight graduate schools. With your CC credits, you could graduate in 2+ years, commute from home and have cool discussions and opportunities with small classes. The average SAT is ~1380. Honors Profile - University of Houston
@michaeluwill The main reason I want to go to college early is because I have a love for learning and I learn material very, very fast. That’s why firstly public school never been a good fit for me as I would often get bored in classes. And eventually taking community colleges and exploring interest independently (I often read college level textbooks for fun, I know kind of weird) is not going to be enough to satisfy my interest. My parents understand this and this is why they are endorsing my decision to go away to college … because a love of learning is a very important part of who I am.
That is not weird at all. Back in the day, I worked with a number of students with similar wants/needs. Yes, to your former question… essays, experiences and recommendations need to show you are mature and socially ready. When you are writing, assume you are being compared to a couple of other young students and more than a couple of homeschooled ones. Manufacturing the maturity would be tough. You know it if you have it. Did you make a couple of college friends that you see socially or at least collaborate with academically? Do you care for a younger sibling and help him/her deal with something? Have you always developed close friends through sports? I don’t know the answer, but admissions depends on getting people comfortable. Feel free to run stuff by me when you get closer.