<p>I'm planning on applying to Rice next year as my #1 choice and I'm trying to be as competitive as possible. Usually I'm a Math/ Science guy, getting the highest grades in both of those subjects. Now I have the opportunity to write this really big history paper as part of a competition, and I mean big, like 12 pages and 3 months to work on it so it would take a considerable amount of effort. Should I be a well rounded student? or should I stick to Math/ Science, and be able to put more effort into those subjects, and hopefully qualify for AIME?</p>
<p>At first I thought well rounded was the obvious choice, but now I'm hearing people say that colleges want a well rounded student BODY, not one student. Also, Rice seems to focus less on making students take classes in each discipline, and instead lets them focus on what they actually enjoy.</p>
<p>I recommend for you to focus on your passions and not doing the history paper if you don’t actually want to do it. If you are a math/science person then you should focus more on those subjects since you enjoy them more.</p>
<p>I agree: don’t do the essay just as a resume booster. Do it only if you would find it enjoyable. It won’t be worth the effort otherwise. Colleges still want well-rounded individuals, but I was definitely math/science lopsided and it didn’t seem to hurt me.</p>
<p>Three months to write 12 pages – and I imagine some research too – really doesn’t sound that demanding. And if you write about a topic that connects with your math/sci interests, it could be a really enjoyable effort. Even if you don’t place in the competition, you could mention it in your interview as an example of pursuing unrequired challenges. Pick a really interesting topic that you’ll enjoy exploring …</p>
<p>I agree with Ottoline! I don’t know about admissions, but going above and beyond might put you in the running for a merit scholarship. Also, I got in with AIME and a published history paper, so it worked once :)</p>
<p>Don’t do it to get into college. Most colleges see right through those ploys. But if you find a topic that interests you, definitely go with silentsailor and Ottoline’s advice. You never know where it could lead. Just make sure that when you do talk about it in your application, you convey your passion for the project and the interest you took in it, so that they realize it wasn’t just a scheme.</p>