Results should be out next week, but I’m anxious and want to know what people think.
A little background: I’m 30, work for an Engineering company doing Electrical Design and Software Development. Originally went to College in 2004, and was last enrolled in Fall of 2009. GPA at that point was in the 1.1 range with no real advancement towards a degree. All stats for college are from when the last year at local Community College.
HS Stats:
GPA 3.5
SAT 1390/1600 - Math 720 Verbal 670
Very active in Band, Jazz Band, History Club, Latin Club
College Stats:
GPA 4.0 on 27 Hours
Classes:
English I and II
Calculus I, II, and III
Physics I
Statics
Intro to Engineering
Took ACT in February - 34C 30E 35M 36R 33S (Would have liked to take again since I did poorly on Science and English, was getting 35-36 consistently on Science and 32-34 on English on practice tests)
Extra Curriculars:
2009 - 2014:
Manager at several fine dining restaurants, was hired as a server then promoted pretty quickly.
Wine Director at one restaurant, rewrote wine list which led to increase in profits from Wine Sales
Top in sales at each restaurant when I was a server
Certified Sommelier
On Safety council at one of the restaurants
2014-Now
Work at Engineering Company, primarily focus on Software Solutions to increase productivity, communication, and consistency. Have learned software development and database structure on my own, no mentor here to lean on. Have cut one process from 240 man hours to 40, and another from 40ish man hours to 2. Also have helped with Electrical Design for large Industrial applications, and supported installation at a facility.
Engineering Club - Member, nothing too notable
Essays:
Personal Statement - Focused on the reasons that I was so unsuccessful my first time in College, along with the catalyst that led to me changing, and how I have changed my priorities and focus. Held myself accountable for past actions and tried to show the positive changes I have made.
Why I chose Rice - Discussed how I would use the unique opportunities there to give me the skills I want after I graduated, also talked about the experiences I would bring into the school to build on.
Letters of Rec:
- My boss - 10/10 he’s known me for 20 years, recruited me to the position I am in, I work closely with him on projects all the time.
- Professor - ?/10 hard to develop relationships since I’m basically just in and out of class since I am working full-time. Asked lots of questions when in his class, no idea how this will be.
Do you think I stand a decent chance? Any thoughts? Rice is the only school I applied to this year, and if I don’t get in I will stay where I am for another year then apply to multiple schools, including Rice again.
Thank you!
