Chances at Rice Admission...

Colleges and Universities A-Z Rice University
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<p>Hello!
I'm new to these forums, hopefully I will start out on a positive note :)</p>

<p>I'm a student attending Alvin Highschool in Texas. It has always been my absolute dream to be able to stay here in Texas and still attend a college up to my standards (or what I would hope is my standard). Naturally, I've been fixated on Rice for as long as I can remember. The campus is beautiful, it's 25-40 minutes away, and it has a fantastic Computer Science department! The question is, am I good enough for Rice?</p>

<p>Currently, I am a Junior in Highschool. I am ranked top 21 out of 500'ish and I have a GPA of 5.71 (on a 6 point scale) and adjusted to the 4 point scale I have a 3.8 GPA. I THINK that will have increased by the time my application is sent during my Senior year.</p>

<p>I'm taking my SAT test this January 22nd, and I believe my Pre-SAT scores place me at around a 2100 total (so 700ish on each portion).</p>

<p>As far as I can tell from Collegeboard, my numbers match up pretty well with Rice... however, there is one thing that severely bothers me. Extracurriculars. I have absolutely NONE, Zero, nadda, etc extracirriculars. I've done around 5 hours of volunteer service (I know, that's laughable and shouldn't even be put on an application) and I'm not in ANY school clubs. The last time I took place in a schoolastic event was in 7th and 8th grade when I placed pretty well in UIL academics, but I suppose those aren't fit for an application are they?</p>

<p>Here's what I'm thinking about... in lieu of extra cirriculars, I have invested all of my time into writing and recording online text and video tutorials to share programming experience with people on the internet. I also post all of my sourcecode and release packaged examples. I also maintain 2 separate websites and am designing a full-blown PHP-based flash-based RPG gaming platform. Outside of school I consistently pursue my drive to be a better programmer and go out of my way to teach myself the concepts and read a lot of material on my own. Could I tie the tutorials, the programming work, and some of my outside studies into my Essay and application in a way that would perhaps make up for my lack of Extra-cirriculars? Or is it a long shot?</p>

<p>Thanks,
Chris</p>

<p>Some other details:
So far I've gathered a lot of recommendation letters, including a couple from Rice Graduates. I also am taking AP classes and scored a 4 on both my practice US History AP and my English III AP. I'll be taking Calculus AP, Economics AP, Government AP, Physics II AP, and English IV AP next year. For now I'm only taking 2 AP classes, the rest are Pre-AP and Dual Credit.</p>

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<p>Your EC’s will definitely count for something. Everyone isn’t able to or doesnt want to volunteer/work/play sports. What Rice wants to see is a person who doesn’t spend all day studying, or who sits around doing nothing.</p>

<p>I cannot ‘chance’ you or say for sure, but your stats look good. You need to show Rice what you have been doing and continue to do outside of school and that will help support your cause.</p>

3

<p>Your GPA and class rank is ok. Make sure you stay the same or perform better next year so that it shows an upward slope.</p>

<p>The SAT is a problem. Of course you only give us a prediction, but still, a 2100 with no ECs to speak of isn’t going to cut it imho. Bump that up 200 pts and I’d say you have a fair shot.</p>

<p>In regards to your websites, definitely play them up. Maybe even get recognized for them somehow? Awards are always good… </p>

<p>Have you done anything noteworthy in the summertime?</p>

4

<p>Xylogeist,</p>

<p>You do have an extracurricular, and a fantastic one. Keep doing what you love and everything will turn out fine. My advice:</p>

<p>Colleges admit applications not people. You have to convey your passion and who you really are to admissions. Trust them to see what you have to offer.</p>

<p>Don’t fall in love with any one school (may be too late), your goal come March of your senior year is to love all of your options and to have a hard time picking just one.</p>

<p>Sadly, I think you need to exceed a top 5%/2100 to make Rice a likely, put some concerted effort into the SAT/ACT. The payoff is great for time invested.</p>

5

<p>Thanks for all of the positive support!</p>

<p>I have indeed considered other schools. For instance, Whitman college in Walla Walla, Washington was on my list for quite a while. Sadly they do not have Computer Science as a major course. Other options I’ve considered is Carnegie Mellon (nearly as difficult as Rice I’m afraid) and a couple of others.</p>

<p>As for extra cirriculars. I am considering perusing more volunteer service, as my school does offer a scholarship for such a thing. I think I can get higher than 2100 on the SAT if I try hard enough, I’m taking the official test tomorrow so I’ll see what I can pull off :slight_smile: My GPA will definitely be higher next year as far as I can tell.</p>

<p>Oh, and as for my website. When I’ve completed the latest version of my main website, the flash gaming platform, I’m going to see if I can get some recognition from that.</p>

<p>Oh, one last thing. My father is a good friend of one of the admission staff at Rice, and the staff member said that one thing Rice really likes is when applicants have letters of recommendation from Rice graduates, can anyone confirm that?</p>

<p>Thanks,
-Chris</p>

6

<p>Good luck to you, tomorrow, on the SAT! Don’t forget breakfast and bring some healthy snacks! Your strong determination will take you places!</p>

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<p>

</p>

<p>I have not heard of this. The most important thing is a good letter, not who it comes from. While a Rice grad may give a slight edge (as that person went to Rice and they know and like you meaning you have a good chance of being a good fit?) don’t reach for that edge unless it is there. Someone who doesn’t know you as well from Rice won’t be as beneficial as someone who can paint a glowing picture of you and knows you very well (it shows)</p>

<p>Also, focus on your SAT and try your best to let Rice know exactly what your passion and interest is.</p>

<p>Good Luck!</p>

8

<p>Oh ok, thanks for the information! Both of the letters from Rice graduates are genuine so I hope they help out :slight_smile: Yea, I’m running down a list of practice problems now and I’mma make sure to get a good 9 and half hours of sleep in.</p>

<p>Oh, BTW, has anyone here researched Washington University in Seattle? That’s another one I’ve set my eyes on.</p>