Chances?...Chances!

Colleges and Universities A-Z Rice University
1

<p>What's up guys? I don't know if this is how you felt when applying to colleges, but I am eager to start the process (why? I don't know)! I'm intrested in becoming a physician, and I thus am (planning) to apply to the Rice/Baylor program (tough, tough). In order to get to that, however, I'll need to get into the Rice UG program, which is, no doubt, very prestigous and competitive. With that in mind, what do you think my chances are for UG. I plan to do interim decision:</p>

<p>ACADEMICS
3.7 GPA (This is due to slacking in freshman year)
33 ACT (...because my SAT is not-so-stellar)
760 SAT II Chem
(X) SAT II Biology (X: To be taken; expecting ~750)
(X) SAT II Math Level 2 (expecting ~750)
(X) SAT II US History (expecting ~700)
Bio, Chem, Latin Lit, Physics C, Calc BC, Human Geography, Psychology APs
*Note: my school goes by block scheduling, so it's really hard to take APs</p>

<p>EXTRACURRICULARS/OTHER SCHOOL STUFF
100+ Hours CS @ The Cleveland Clinic (11)
75+ Hours CS @ Local Hindu Temple (so, yes, I'm Asian :)) (10)
75+ Hours CS @ Clothing Drive (9)
Part of My City's Rescue Squad (11,12)
President of Latin Honors Society (10,11,12)
President/Founder of Striving for a Healthier World (11,12)
Treasurer of Mu Alpha Theta (11,12)
Co-Captain of Chemistry Olympics (11,12)
Captain of Science Olympiad (11,12)
Varsity Tennis Player (9,10,12 <-- no 11 due to injury)
Frequent Writer for a Reputable Online Magazine (11,12)
Some Awards, But Nothing HUGE
Played in school's jazz band 9th grade (sax). Didn't do again, but I still play.</p>

<p>SUMMER WORK
Paid job at an agritech company doing laboratory analysis (pH, testing, etc.)
Did research for a Harvard-allied hospital in India concerning bioaerosols
Created organic fertilizer to be submitted to Siemens Westinghouse
3 College Courses (Math, Psychology, Practical Arts) at Rutgers/Com. College
Selected and Attended NYLF on Medicine
Selected and Attended NJIT's Science and Technology Enrichment Program
(Possible) Published Work (e.g. Poetry)</p>

<p>And that basically covers most of it. Thanks for taking the time to read it all. Please help me out and just drop a comment--1 word will even be appreciated. Thanks a lot for your help!</p>

2

<p>Hey,
Your resume looks as good as anybody's. I would definitely aim for 750+ on the SAT IIs. IMO, what will make or break you is your essay. Start thinking about it now. In fact, start writing it now. Trust me, you will change it a zillion times and you want enough time for it. Make sure you bring out your uniqueness in your essays. Trust me, every other applicant is an Indian wanting to be a doctor (lol....a bit of an exaggeration but it was true in my physics class last year). As you said yourself, Baylor/Rice is tough beond belief but I have known people who have done it with seemingly nothing stellar. It's hard to say how Baylor admits its students. Whether you get into Baylor or not (i hope you do), many Rice undergrads end up going to Baylor anyway. Yes, you have to work hard but Baylor seems to be a little bit more tolerant/accepting of Rice undergrads!</p>

3

<p>Haha I know what you mean Sandy-owl--almost all of my relatives next year are applying to these combined BS/MD programs. Thanks for the info, and I think I'll get right on that essay as you said to! Anyone else with suggestions? As I said earlier, anything, criticism to comments, is appreciated!</p>

4

<p>I would encourage you to start early on all your college applications as well. I started so late (I finished each of my applications the day that they were due with about three hours to spare). I got into all of my colleges (Rice, UNC-CH, and UVA), but the application process came with some unneeded stress. Plus if you write your essay early, you can use the same essay for a lot of your scholarship applications (it depends on what you write about, of course).</p>

5

<p>Thanks torrestowers! That's a good idea with the scholarship thing, and I know a few people last year who started their apps late--yea, they were staying up all night completing them. Def. something I don't want to do haha.</p>

<p>Any other suggestions?</p>

6

<p>One thing that no one ever mentions on their "Do I have a chance?" threads is the essay. The essay is much more important than many people think, and it's so important to have a bang up essay that really shines. You're fighting for acceptance among tons of others who have SAT scores and grades that look exactly like yours. The essay is the way to wow the admissions and get them on your side. </p>

<p>I was admitted to Rice as a freshman this fall, and I'm convinced that it was the essay that did it for me. I was in honor classes, clubs, extra curriculars, etc. etc. etc. But so is everyone else. Write something honest, open, and shows off your good writing skills.</p>