Disappointing Application Numbers

<p>Is it just my observation, but does Rice receive very little aps for the caliber of school that is. I seriously don't understand why Rice only receives 7,000-8,000 aps a year when a school like Wash U receives over 20,000. Something doesn't sound right and St. Louis is not like NY or LA for that matter in anyway. My opinion is that Rice's close ties to Texas severaly hurts the school. When you tell someone that you plan to go to Rice, they alsways are like "doesn't that schools have a lot of those rednecks from Texas." I have nothing against Texas and I like Houston a lot. However, for Rice to improve its national appeal, it should try to advertise a bit more (not to Wash U's amount b/c they are killing trees too much) and send reps to more schools around the country. They should try to get the student body to be more like 35 percent Texas and 65 percent out of state. That is just my 2 cents.</p>

<p>First you must remember that Rice is a much smaller school than Wash U, it should be recieving less applications.</p>

<p>I do agree however that Rice does have a PR problem. I hadn't even heard of Rice before I started the college process in senior year, and I almost overlooked it because it was in Texas. Perhaps a bit more mailings wouldn't hurt.</p>

<p>i think rice is quite well known in most engineering and science circles, but i have to agree as well...obviously i wouldnt want to be bombarded with mail from them, but a couple well targeted mailings during the year could help.</p>

<p>I think Texas does have an effect on what "outsiders" think of Rice; I was coaxing my friend who lives in Europe to apply to Rice and even though she thought the university was excellent, she was not very fond of the idea of living in Texas</p>

<p>wow, i don't know why you are complainning, it doesn't make sense!
why would you want more applicants?
i wish all the schools that i applied to only had 1 applicant, ME
lol</p>

<p>Newbyreborn makes a valid point:D</p>

<p>yeah, that's what I'm thinking!</p>

<p>actually, I was already accepted, did not mean to offend anyone but I was just curious.</p>

<p>Nobody's offended, dog. :) It just depends if we're looking at it from the view of applicants (good news), or Rice's admission office (disappointing news).</p>

<p>Read the thread on what the new President said. Rice maintains its close ties to Texas to continue to receive support from the same, which is unparalleled. Rice enjoys ample prestige from anyone that matters, so there is no need to "beat the bushes" for applicants. One plus for having so many students from Texas is that they have studied Texas history. This makes for a diverse and well rounded student body as Texas is greater than some nations in many aspects.
On another note, those of you going to owl weekend are in for a treat. Texas in April is breathtaking. A former first lady left a legacy of wildflowers planted on the roadsides. There are stories behind the bluebonnets and Indian paintbrush, based on Commanche legend. Open your senses and enjoy!. "You can lead a man to the university, but you cannot make him think".</p>

<p>I'm not offended dog (can't resist):) Be happy.</p>

<p>
[quote]
so there is no need to "beat the bushes"

[/quote]

was that pun intended?? :)</p>

<p>Lol, I didn't even notice it until you pointed it out, jym.</p>

<p>We have our share of democrats here. Ann Richards was the governor who spoke of the elder at the democratic convention as, " Poor George, He was born with a silver foot in his mouth!" I personnally speak with a twang that the Texans don't hear, but I caught flack in California and Massachusetts. I cringe at Nuck-ya-llar instead of Nuclear, and had a chemistry prof that said he would fail anyone he heard mispronouncing it that way. Texas is far greater than even the Presidents produced. Texas has an annoying and pretentious air on one hand, but on the other a true nobility and greatness. Love it or leave it without regret.</p>

<p>No comment here on the greatness of Texas.</p>

<p>However, Texas is big enough to produce substantial numbers of high-caliber students. I can't help but be envious that Texas has such a high quality university within its borders. The best university in Florida, a state that also produces a large number of strong high school graduates, is UF. UF is a superb public university, but we do not have anything comparable to Rice. A huge failing.</p>

<p>Rice is fortunate to get such a strong student body without spending anywhere near what Wash. U spends. Nonetheless, I think it would improve the school if it could attract a greater percentage of students from outside Texas. Geographical diversity is as valuable as other types of diversity. It reduces provincialism and enhances student's understanding of their place in the nation and the world.</p>

<p>Having said all that, I suspect that many Ivy league schools are no more geographically diverse than Rice. Many of them draw huge percentages of students from the Northeast, which I believe makes them just as provincial as a school that is predominantly Texan.</p>

<p>More disappointing than Rice's "low application numbers" is its low yield rate, in my opinion.</p>

<p>bump................</p>

<p>wash.u. made its reputation by marketing, and offering scholarships to high caliber students. increased apps=> lower acceptance rate=> higher ranking=> better students and more apps. schools like rice and chicago don't do this enough.</p>

<p>yes, i agree......</p>

<p>And the Houston area is actually a lot less cowboyish than people think. It has a huge hispanic population now and is actually becoming quite cosmopolitan. And a lot of this has happened in the past 10 or so years, so things are changing quickly.</p>

<p>The Texas culture is not for everyone. If you can't take the cowboy stuff and accents and immense pride over Texas history with a grain of appreciation, or at least a grain of salt, you probably won't like it much. With that said, Texas has a rich and unique flavor of its own which changes a lot from city to city. Austin does not equal Houston does not equal El Paso does not equal Dallas. There is really something for everyone there, if you overlook the mosquitos and the proclivity to equate Texas as the Bush Kingdom. </p>

<p>And, good luck to you all...</p>