Chances at Rice University ED and how to improve?

<p>The question above, alone with this: I'm still a junior; how can I improve and increase my chances of acceptance? Obviously, I'm not going to start something just to get in, but small suggestions would be helpful...</p>

<p>GPA: UW 4.0 (academic)-- only As and A+s (no minuses thus far)</p>

<p>I have received two B's, but in PE my freshman year. The GPA above includes, essentially, A-G courses (5 core classes + my elective, band)</p>

<p>Classes I have taken considered "advanced":
Advanced English (9 and 10)
Advanced History (9)
AP European History (10)
AP Biology (11)
AP Language and Composition (11)
AP US History (11)
Precalculus (11)</p>

<p>Senior prospective schedule:
AP Lit
AP Microeconomics
AP Macroeconomics
AP Gov
AP Calc AB
AP Physics
AP Italian
Adv. Band</p>

<p>Test Scores:
ACT: Composite 34 : M34,E35, S33, R32
SAT II: Bio (M) and Math II-- I'm taking these in May. What scores do you think I'll need?
AP European History (5)
Hoping for either 4s or 5s in AP Bio, Lang, and USH!</p>

<p>Activities: *** denotes leadership position (required election)
1. Italian Club President (9,10,11,12)***
President in 10,11, and 12, cultural activities coordinator in 9</p>

<ol>
<li>American Cancer Society Club President (9,10,11,12)
President in 11,12
Secretary in 9,10</li>
</ol>

<p>Which goes hand in hand with...</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Event Chair of Relay for Life- essentially, the top position. (elected to lead committee of students for planning our community's Relay for Life which raises approximately $50,000) (10,11,12) ***
This is pretty significant because we raise more money than Stanford, USC, UCLA, etc. Also, this event is typically run by adults, but has been taken over by students in my community.</p></li>
<li><p>Volunteer for many many hours at an organization in the urban area near me that houses cancer patients (children)-- I work on the living conditions for these patients and their families by making holiday cards, painting, cleaning, organizing, making the place a nice place for the brave kids! I also tutor the patient's siblings. (I'm not sure how many hours, but I know the number should be pretty high...) (10,11,12)</p></li>
<li><p>Intern at my hospital's cancer center, shadowed oncologist, volunteered, too! (I'm not sure how many hours, though, but a lot!) (10,11,12)</p></li>
<li><p>I've played piano for 11 years, numerous awards from my conservatory! Will submit arts supplement (9,10,11,12)</p></li>
<li><p>Flute and Piccolo which I play in my school's band (first chair), my region's orchestra (first), my school's musicals, competitions (with some awards), and a flute "choir" of mostly professional flautists (9,10,11,12)</p></li>
<li><p>Mental Health Support Group (President and Founder) (11,12)-- founded after personal experience
While this is registered as a club, it is more of a support group for those suffering from depression, eating disorders, bipolar disorder, etc., or those whose family or friends are suffering from those illnesses. It's a big part of my life and has over 50 members. We meet weekly at various locations and have created an outreach network with a local middle school. We've also organized events at school to raise awareness of mental illness. We also set up weeks throughout the year to help students de-stress. It's all pretty great </p></li>
<li><p>Varsity Tennis (9,10,11,12)- Captain as a Senior
</p></li>
<li><p>Hopefully participating in a research program this summer, whether it be a paid program or research with a professor (I applied, but not so sure I'll get in)</p></li>
<li><p>Robotics team member (though, no leadership position) (11,12)-- it was just founded this year</p></li>
<li><p>I've been in the band and marching band for every year and as I said above am the section leader and principal flute. Possibly next year's band president, though I don't know yet. (9,10,11,12)</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Work experience. I am not sure which to include. Can you advise?
1. Nordstrom Sales Associate (10,11)
2. Tennis Instructor (Summer and School year--9,10,11,12)
3. I teach piano to elementary and middle school students (11,12)</p>

<p>Recommendations: Planning on getting these from my language and english teachers. However, I'm planning on studying biology. Should I also get one from my biology teacher? They should be very good, really. I'm very involved in the classroom and in helping my peers, which they recognize.</p>

<p>Additional info:
Prospective major: Neuroscience/cogsci (really interested in the crossover between science and language comprehension and understanding as well as mental illness and affects of stress-- physical and otherwise-- on the brain)
Prospective minor: depending on which school, either music or Italian</p>

<p>California resident
Income: >100,000
Trilingual
Mom went to USC</p>

<p>Both parents with Bachelor's, Dad has Master's</p>

<p>I took a human biology class at a local community college, receiving an A. I will take a few classes over the summer if I'm not accepted into a research program.</p>

<p>I know Java and learning Bluejay (self-taught). This isn't really a big deal, but I love it!</p>

<p>Will submit music supplement on the piano (Beethoven's Sonata Pathetique Movement 3)</p>

<p>Your app looks pretty great thus far, just keep up the good work and try to grab 700+ SAT II scores. Also include all of your work experience, it never hurts to show. Make sure your essays are stellar too!</p>

<p>I was waitlisted by Rice this year with a 2250 SAT, 4.0 GPA, lots of unique ECs, 2 varsity sports. </p>

<p>Thanks! Did you apply early? I’m hoping that will help me go from borderline to in… :slight_smile: </p>

<p>bump</p>

<p>If you believe in God, he will guide you through these hard times. God is the only one who will get you into these schools, not SATs, not Community Service, not Aps, but GOD. Let his spirit guide you my brother.</p>

<p>From what I see, you are absolutely perfect for Rice :slight_smile: Do you mind sharing how you found all those EC activities? I’m going to apply as an Architecture major and I want to know how I can find more EC’s concerning architecture. I have found two to do this summer, but I want to find more projects :)</p>

<p>@architecturenerd I just got involved early on in HS and joined things I loved. If I wanted to do something that wasn’t available, I went ahead and started it! It’s all about doing what you love and putting a lot of time into that. You could definitely contact an architect if you’re looking for an internship or project :)</p>

<p>Thanks for the feedback! I’m going to be in 11th grade next year and this summer I’m going to spend it doing two architecture courses and then I’m going to spend the summer with an architect. I really am passionate about going to Rice as an architecture major and my 9th grade was a great year with a 3.80GPA (pretty low) and then my family kind of went into chaos so my GPA dropped to about a 3.10GPA (this year) and I just feel like crying because now I feel like I either need to repeat 10th grade or risk the HUGE chance that I’m not going to be accepted to Rice. I will not stop until I have 4.00GPA 11th and 12th but I’m not sure that can save the disaster that was my sophomore year :frowning: any feedback? </p>

<p>@ArchitectureNerd Well, all you can do is your best :)! Given your family’s circumstances, your grades may be justified! You could definitely balance an OK gpa with great, insightful essays.
I feel the same as you! Of course, I could see myself at other schools, but I think I’d be happiest at Rice.
ALSO, start forging some great relationships with junior teachers for letters of rec :slight_smile: I think that’s pretty important!</p>

<p>Thanks so much! I’m going from a private school to public school for 11th and 12th grade so I’ll make sure to make some great relationships! I also need to look for some aweaome leadership roles :slight_smile: I wish the best of luck to you! I really hope you get it ( I think you definitely will, I think :))</p>

<p>bump</p>

<p>bump</p>